Supports for English Learners
College Board offers testing supports for English learners (EL) for the SAT Suite of 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)
- Math-Only Test (available only to first-year EL students, and only if applicable to your state)
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 Suite of Assessments for the duration of that year. SSD coordinators must request extended time, EL—Text-to-Speech for Math Sections (Embedded), and EL—Math-Only Test (if available in your state), which are automatically approved upon submission. Translated test directions and word-to-word dictionaries do not require testing staff to submit an EL request.
After requests are approved, the support will appear for the student in SDMS 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
Please refer to your state or district policies for eligibility requirements.
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.
Translated Test DirectionsWord-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. Schools don't need to submit documentation, but students should use extended time only if they have a documented need.
Students approved 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.
EL—Math-Only Test
Availability of this support will depend on your state's policies. First-year EL students approved for the Math-Only Test will not take the Reading and Writing section. They will only be presented with the Math section of the test and will receive a minimum score of 200 for the Reading and Writing section. This support may be combined with the other support options, such as Text-to-Speech for Math Sections.
Math-Only Test
Availability of this support will depend on your state's policies. First-year EL students approved for the Math-Only Test will only be presented with the Math section of the test and will receive a minimum score of 200 for the Reading and Writing section. This support may be combined with the other EL supports, such as Text-to-Speech for Math Sections.
Deadline to Request Supports
Schools must have submitted all requests for EL supports by their state's EL supports submission deadline.
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. Translated test directions and word-to-word dictionaries do not require prior approval.