Supports for English Learners

College Board offers testing supports for English learners (EL) for the SAT Suite of Assessments.

Supports include:

• Translated test directions
• Use of approved bilingual word-to-word dictionaries
• Up to time and one-half
• Text-to-speech for Math sections (embedded)
• Math-Only Test (available only to first-year EL students, and only if applicable to your state)

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 testing supports:

Translated Test Directions

Test directions are available in 18 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. Schools don't need to submit documentation, but students should use extended time only if they have a documented need.

Unlike accommodations for students with disabilities, EL supports are temporary. EL requests must be made each school year, and can thereafter be used for all tests in the SAT Suite of Assessments for the duration of that year. After requests are approved, the "EL - Up to Time and One Half" 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.

Text-to-Speech for Math Sections (Embedded)

For students approved for this support, the text-to-speech tool appears in the beginning of the Math section and is fully configurable by the student.

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 Extended Time

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.