Supports for English Learners

College Board offers testing supports for English learners (EL) for the SAT School Day, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 assessments.

Support options include:

• EL Supports
  • Translated test directions
  • Use of approved bilingual word-to-word dictionaries
  • Up to time and one-half
• EL—Text-to-Speech for Math Sections (Embedded)

Unlike accommodations for students with disabilities, EL supports are temporary. EL requests must be made each school year, and can thereafter be used for the SAT School Day, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and PSAT 8/9 for the duration of that year. SSD coordinators must request extended time and EL—Text-to-Speech for Math Sections (Embedded) in the EL Supports tool, which is part of SSD Online.

After requests are approved, the support will appear for the student in the SSOR registration roster and Test Day Toolkit within one business day. Students using extended time for EL purposes will test in the same rooms as all other students using extended time for the test.

Who's Eligible

Students who meet the following criteria at the time of testing can use EL supports:

• They're enrolled in an elementary or secondary school in the U.S. or U.S. territories.
• They're an English learner as defined by their state or by federal policy.
• They use the same supports in class or for other assessments.

Available Testing Supports

Some EL students may need to use more than one of these support options listed below.

EL Supports

Translated Test Directions

Test directions are available in 20 languages. Download the translated directions and give them to students on test day.

Word-to-Word Dictionaries

The bilingual word-to-word dictionaries students use on test day must be from College Board's approved list. Schools can provide the dictionaries to students on test day, collecting them when testing is complete.

Up to Time and One-Half

To ensure that student scores are processed correctly and on time, SSD coordinators must request extended time in the EL Supports tool, which is part of SSD Online. Schools don't need to submit documentation, but students should use extended time only if they have a documented need.

Students approved in SSD Online for up to time and one-half as part of EL supports will receive their tests provisioned with extended time. They have the option of moving to the next part of the test before their full extended time expires, once the standard testing time has passed. While students are encouraged to use all of the time that they need and are approved for, they will not be required to stay for their full extended time if they finish testing or are ready to move on sooner.

EL—Text-to-Speech for Math Sections (Embedded)

The Bluebook app includes a built-in text-to-speech tool that helps students hear content read aloud—no external software needed. Students approved for this support have access to the text-to-speech tool in the Math section only.

Deadline to Request Supports

About four weeks before testing, schools must have submitted all requests for EL students.

If you offer assessments as part of a state contract, your deadlines might be different. Contact your state with questions about the deadlines for your school.

Note: If your student meets the requirements for EL supports but doesn’t want, require, or request the extended testing time before test day, they may still use the translated test directions and/or approved word-to-word dictionaries.