Using Accommodations on Digital Tests
Some accommodations are administered differently on digital tests than on paper and pencil tests. For example, if you're approved to use a human reader on paper and pencil tests, you may get a screen reader for digital tests. Also, some accommodations may not be needed for a digital test. For example, if you're approved for large print, you may use the zoom tool that's available to all test takers.
Check the chart below to see how your approved accommodations will be administered on digital tests. If you think you need a different accommodation, speak to your school counselor or SSD coordinator, or contact SSD as soon as possible.
IMPORTANT: Accommodations cannot be changed or waived on test day. All accommodations must be approved by SSD. Speak to your school’s SSD coordinator or see Services for Students with Disabilities for information about requesting accommodations.
Approved Accommodations Details
Review the list below to learn how common testing accommodations will work for digital tests.
| Approved Accommodation | SAT Suite of Assessments Details and Testing Options |
|---|---|
| Extended Time | |
| Extended Time | Students will receive their approved amount of extended time within the digital test and will also receive extra breaks. Students approved for extended time for math only will receive extended time only for the Math section. For SAT Weekend, students approved for time and one-half and double time will test in one day in a test center. This may change if the student is approved for other accommodations that require testing at their school. |
| Breaks | |
| Breaks as Needed | Students approved for this accommodation will receive a test that allows them to pause their test to take breaks as needed. The pause feature appears below the timer. For SAT Weekend, students approved for breaks as needed will test in one day in a test center. This may change if the student is approved for other accommodations that require testing at their school. |
| Extended Breaks | Students approved for this accommodation will receive a test with twice the time of the regularly scheduled break applied. |
| Extra Breaks | Students approved for this accommodation will receive a test with extra breaks. Students approved for this accommodation will receive a test with an extra 5-minute break applied between Module 1 and Module 2 in each section. |
| Extra and Extended Breaks | Students approved for this accommodation will receive a test with twice the time of regularly scheduled breaks and extra breaks applied. |
| Braille | |
| Braille with Raised Line Drawings, Contracted |
Students approved for a braille accommodation will test digitally using their own refreshable braille display or screen reader. Students using a screen reader will need to use headphones. If a student is unable to test using the digital test, they should contact customer service to request a paper braille test. |
| Raised Line Drawings (formerly "braille graphs and figures") | Students will take the digital test and use the raised line drawing supplement. |
| Braille Writer | For a digital test, braille writing software should be used. If a student is unable to take the digital test, they should contact customer service to request a paper test. |
| Reading and Writing Accommodations | |
|
Human Reader Screen Reader for Digital Tests |
Students approved for a human reader or screen reader for digital tests will take a digital test using the screen reader functionality available through their device's operating system (i.e., text-to-speech) or their own screen reader software. Students will receive a test format enabled with time and one-half (+50%) extended time. If a student is unable to test using the digital test, they should contact customer service to request a paper test. |
|
Writer/Scribe Dictation for Digital Tests |
Students approved for writer/scribe or dictation for digital tests should test with the digital test using speech-to-text. If a student is unable to test with the digital test, they should contact customer service to request a paper test. |
| Pre-recorded Audio (MP3 via streaming) |
Students approved for prerecorded audio will take a digital test using the screen reader functionality available through their device’s operating system (i.e., text-to-speech) or their own screen reader software. Students receiving this accommodation will test with time and one-half (+50%) extended time. |
| Assistive Technology | |
| Assistive Technology | Students will be able to take a digital test using approved assistive technology software. (See below for additional information about assistive technology.) |
| Assistive Technology—Compatible (ATC) Test Format | Students approved for an ATC test format, if not separately approved for a particular assistive technology, can test with a standard digital test using the app tools and functionality available through their device's operating system. |
| Limited Time | |
| Limited Time | Students will test using the digital test. They will test over multiple days if the test time exceeds their approved time. |
| Audio | |
| Auditory Amplification/FM System | Students can use their FM system. Students will be allowed to use headphones. |
| Calculators | |
| 4-Function Calculator | There will not be a math with no calculator section. A calculator is built into the digital test and is a universal tool for all students. |
| Large Print, Magnification, Color | |
|
Large-Print Test Large-Print Answer Sheet Magnification Device (electronic/non-electronic) |
Students will use the zoom in and out function available through their operating system. |
| Color Overlay/Color Contrast | Students can use the color settings available through their operating system and/or device screen, or they can use a plastic overlay attached to their device's screen. |
Universal Tools Available to All Students
Some tools are available to all test takers and don’t require accommodations. These include:
- Zoom
- Color contrast
- Calculator (Desmos, available)
- Math Reference sheet
- Annotator (highlighter and notepad)
- Mark for review
- Answer eliminator
- Question navigator (to quickly review and navigate to specific questions)
- Expand passage or item
Assistive Technology
If you'll be using assistive technology, be sure to read Accommodations and Assistive Technology for important information.
Accommodations with No Test System Requirements
Accommodations that don't involve assistive technology or a change to test timing or breaks don’t require a special format of the digital test. Examples include permission for small-group testing, food/drink/medication, and permission to test blood sugar. These types of accommodations can be used by students with approval from the College Board SSD office.