It’s important that students bring only the items permitted in the exam room. A student observed with any of the prohibited items during testing or breaks may be dismissed from the exam, the device may be confiscated, the student’s score may be canceled, and no retest may be permitted. Violation of College Board test security policies may also result in a student being prohibited from taking other College Board assessments in the future.
Note: Depending on the type of exam a student is taking (fully digital, hybrid digital, or AP Exams not in Bluebook), there are differences between what a student can and cannot bring to the exam room.
Important: For digital AP Exams (fully digital and hybrid digital) on exam day, students need to remember their College Board student account information to sign in to Bluebook™ to access their digital AP Exam. Saved passwords will not be accessible.
A government-issued or school-issued photo ID if they don’t attend the school where they’re taking the exam.
For exams that allow the use of calculators: Students can bring up to 2 approved calculators with the necessary capabilities. (Note: The Desmos built-in calculator is also available as an option in Bluebook for these exams.) VHS will not supply calculators.
For AP Physics Exams: Students can bring a ruler or a straightedge. VHS will not supply rulers
Pencils
For hybrid digital AP Exams: Students should bring 2 sharpened No. 2 pencils (with erasers) or 2 pens with black or dark blue ink to write in the free-response booklet.
For AP French, German, Italian, and Spanish Language and Culture, AP Spanish Literature and Culture, and AP Music Theory: Students should bring 2 sharpened No. 2 pencils (with erasers) for the multiple-choice answer sheet and 2 pens with black or dark blue ink for completing areas on the exam booklet covers and for free-response questions.
Fully charged testing device with Bluebook installed.
Charging cord/AC adapter that’s compatible with their testing device.
Extension cord if a student is in doubt their computer will last the 3+ hours of digital testing
External mouse (optional)*.
Power banks and external laptop batteries are permitted. Students will need to leave any external power source on their desk for inspection prior to the start of the exam. Students may not share external power sources.
Electronic equipment of any kind (except approved devices being used for the exam). Prohibited electronic equipment includes: wearable technology of any kind, smart glasses, smartwatches, phones, laptops, tablet computers, unauthorized Bluetooth devices**, portable listening or recording devices, cameras or other photographic equipment, devices that can access the internet, separate timers of any type, and any other electronic or communication devices.
Electronic writing instruments, including stylus pens, Apple pencils, smart pens, and iPad stylus.
Books, notebooks, compasses, correction fluid, dictionaries, highlighters, or notes.
Mechanical pencils, No. 3 pencils, or colored pencils.
Rulers or straightedges (these are allowed only for Physics exams).
Protractors.
Scratch paper (the proctor will provide scratch paper for applicable exams).
Reference guides or reference information of any kind (the proctor will provide any applicable reference information).
Keyboard maps or other typing instructions.
Watches that beep or have an alarm.
Clothing or shoes with subject-related information.
Head coverings (e.g., hats, brimmed caps, etc.) are not permitted while testing. Head coverings worn for medical or religious reasons are permitted during testing provided they do not obstruct testing staff’s ability to view the test taker’s eyes and ears. Students may wear hooded shirts in the testing room, but their hoods must stay down during testing.
Ear plugs or headphones.
Clipboards.
Detachable privacy screens.
Separate computer monitors.
Smart glasses are prohibited during testing and should not enter the testing room. All glasses will be inspected. When monitoring, proctors will look for the following:
Thick or asymmetric arms: one side may be noticeably thicker to house electronics (battery, camera, speakers, etc.).
Pinholes/ports/vents: tiny openings on the temples that may indicate microphones, speakers, sensors, or vents.
Tiny LEDs: small dots or light windows on the front frame or temples that may illuminate during recording/streaming or when powered on.
Lens-edge sparkle: a subtle glittery or rainbow-like glint along the lens edge that can appear when tilted under bright light (more common on glasses with display-in-lens optics).
Bone-conduction pads: small flat/rounded pads on the temple area that rest against the skin in front of the ear (cheekbone/temple) and transmit sound via vibration rather than earbuds.
Repeated frame tapping or pressing: students frequently tapping, squeezing, or swiping the temple area (as if using built-in touch controls).
Quiet speech while wearing eyewear: students softly speaking short phrases as if using voice commands or interacting with an assistant.