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Pilot Device Settings

Learn how to apply the required audio and keyboard settings for the September 2026 pilot of AP Exams.  

Exam Requirements 

AP Music Theory: Testing devices must support headphones. 

AP Chinese Language and Culture: Testing devices must support a headset with microphone, and input method editors (IMEs) must be installed. Important: For this pilot, students should not take AP Chinese Language and Culture on a Windows device. 

AP Spanish Language and Culture: Your device must support a headset with microphone. If you don’t use a Spanish language keyboard or a U.S.-international keyboard, you’ll need to use long-press (pressing and holding keys) to select special characters from a menu.  

Checklist

  • Audio equipment meets the requirements listed at cb.org/ap-headsets.  

  • Microphone access granted (required for all pilot exams). 

  • Keyboard options for AP World Languages and Cultures installed. Requirements vary and are listed below. 

  • iPad only: For an iPad with a hub, make sure the hub supports audio output and microphone input. 

How to Allow Microphone Access 

Device Type 

Instructions 

Chromebook (school-managed only) 

School technology staff who manage Chromebooks in the Google Admin console can enable microphone access in Devices > Chrome > Settings > Users & Browsers > Audio input (microphone). 

If you’re a student, ask for help at school. 

Windows (For AP Music Theory and AP Spanish Language and Culture only)  

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone > Let desktop apps access your microphone. 

Mac 

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone > Enable Bluebook. 

iPad 

Go to Settings > Apps > Bluebook > Allow Microphone. 

Keyboard Options for AP World Languages and Cultures 

For AP Chinese Language and Culture, students should use one of the following input method editors (IMEs): 

  • Chinese Pinyin (also called Pinyin simplified) 

  • Chinese (traditional) Pinyin (also called Pinyin traditional) 

  • Chinese Zhuyin (also called traditional Zhuyin or Bopomofo) 

For AP Spanish Language and Culture, students can use a Spanish language keyboard or a U.S.-international keyboard, or they can use long-press. 

IMPORTANT: School technology staff should make all options available on school-managed devices so students can use the one they’re most comfortable with. 

How to Install Keyboard Options 

Device Type 

Installation Instructions 

Switch Between Keyboards 

Chromebook (school-managed only) 

School technology staff who manage Chromebooks in the Google Admin console can select languages in Devices > Chrome > Settings > Device settings > Kiosk settings > Kiosk allowed input methods. 

If you’re a student, ask for help at school. 

Ctrl + Shift + Space 

Windows (AP Spanish Language and Culture only) 

  1. Open Settings then go to Time & Language > Language & region. 

  2. Click Add a language and select the desired language. 

  3. Click Next > Install. 

Alt + Shift 

Mac 

  1. Open the Apple menu then click System Settings > Keyboard. 

  2. Click Input Sources > Add (+). 

  3. Select the desired language and click Add. 

Ctrl + Space or Globe icon 

iPad 

  1. Open Settings then go to General > Keyboard > Keyboards. 

  2. Click Add New Keyboard and select the desired language. 

Ctrl + Space or Globe icon 

How to Use Long-Press 

Students taking AP Spanish Language and Culture can use long-press instead of a Spanish language keyboard or a U.S.-international keyboard. 

  1. Press and hold the appropriate letter or symbol key. For example, press and hold N to insert Ñ. 

  2. In the menu that appears, click a character or press the corresponding number key shown in the menu.  

Get More Pilot Info

Go to AP pilot homepage