If You Need Testing Accommodations

If you have a disability that requires accommodations such as a screen reader, extra breaks, or permission to test blood sugar, be sure to have your school request College Board approval well in advance of the test date you need the accommodations for. Requests for accommodations are handled by the SSD office. If you're already approved for accommodations on College Board tests, you don't need to submit a new accommodations request for the digital tests.

Many accommodations work the same way for digital exams as they do for paper exams. For example, if you're approved for extended time, you'll receive a digital exam enabled with your approved amount of extended time per section.

Some accommodations differ for digital testing because of features available in Bluebook. For example, if approved for large-print test books, you won't need separate exam materials. You can take the digital exam with an increased font size by zooming in to enlarge the content as needed.

Additionally, if you're approved for human reader, braille, pre-recorded audio, or scribe, you'll now test with a screen reader or dictation. If you can't use the digital accommodation (e.g., screen reader) and need to continue to test with a human reader/scribe, speak to your SSD coordinator or contact the SSD office as soon as possible. Visit our website for more information about digital accommodations at cb.org/digital-accommodations. It is extremely important to practice taking a digital test with the technology you plan to use to test. Please see Prepare for the PSAT/NMSQT for more information about practice.

When considering accommodations, note the following:

• Work with your school's SSD coordinator or counselor for accommodations. Your SSD coordinator or other appropriate school staff can help determine what accommodations are best for you and submit a request online.
• If you want to request accommodations on your own, download a paper Student Eligibility Form from collegeboard.org/ssd.
• Once approved for accommodations, with some exceptions, you remain approved and do not have to apply again when taking another College Board test.
• If you move to a new school after you've been approved for accommodations, your new school needs to confirm your continued eligibility. Print your SSD eligibility letter from your student account to give to your new school.
• If you are approved for extended time for specific subject areas (math, for example), you'll only get those accommodations on the relevant sections or tests. However, if you're approved for extended time for reading, you'll get extended time for the entire test.
• Talk to your SSD coordinator or other appropriate staff member before testing to confirm what accommodations you're approved for and any additional information you need for testing. If you are interested in opting out of your accommodations for testing, you will need to tell your test coordinator at least 2 weeks ahead of test day. You may only opt out of all your accommodations and this choice will only apply for this test administration.
• Bring your SSD eligibility letter with you on test day in case there are any questions.
• If you're interested in participating in the National Merit Scholarship Program and don't receive accommodations that you're approved for, or you don't receive approval in time for the test, please contact NMSC immediately (see National Merit^® Scholarship Program conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC^®) for further details).

Accommodations and Digital Testing

Accommodations that don't involve assistive technology or a change to exam timing or breaks won't require a special format of the digital exam. Examples of these types of accommodations include permission for small-group testing, food/drink/medication, and permission to test blood sugar.

The PSAT/NMSQT is accessible to students approved to use assistive technology (AT). You'll need to open and start the AT device or software before you open Bluebook for practice and for testing. On test day, adjust any necessary settings before you start to check in for the digital test. The app has extensive help content to answer your questions about setup, navigation, and tools to help you access test content.