Starting in 2025, twenty-eight Advanced Placement (AP) exams will be in a digital format using the app Bluebook, announced by College Board this past summer. They felt that paper AP tests were too vulnerable to cheating and stealing. Twelve of these AP exams will be a hybrid digital, the free response on paper and multiple choice questions online. This is for subjects including math and science that require students to show their work through scientific notation, graphing, etc. The other sixteen AP exams will be fully digital, for subjects like English and History.
Regarding the fully online AP exams, when interviewing AP Coordinator and English teacher Ms. Melissa Rotondi, she stated, “…the only difference is that instead of writing on paper…you’re going to be typing it into a computer or clicking on the correct answer.” In preparation for the digital English exams, her class has been typing their essays to get used to that.
Senior Amanpreet Kaur is taking three AP exams this year and for her, “…[typing] on a computer would be easier.” Last year, during the multiple-choice questions Kaur accidentally filled in a bubble for a different answer but couldn’t change it afterwards. On the digital multiple-choice questions, you can select a different answer after already clicking one. She also mentioned, “Once you complete the exam, your answers are submitted instantly, reducing the risk of lost or misplaced test papers…digital exams reduce the need for paper, making them a more sustainable option.”
However, some students prefer writing like junior Danielle Nielsen who’s taking the AP Statistics and AP English Language and Composition exams this year. “I do a lot better when writing on physical paper…” It helps her better understand her thinking and what she’s trying to say. “…there’s definitely a lot of things with the computers that could go wrong and…little inconveniences here and there that you wouldn’t have with paper.”
Although these two students prefer different AP exam formats, both agree that for subjects like math and science it’s better to have free responses on paper because students need to show their work, and that time is a big issue for them. The AP exams are timed, and last year while writing one of her essays Kaur got a hand cramp which took away from the time given to express her thinking. Nielson explained how quickly it felt time was passing during her tests last year. Both students would find it helpful if typing saved them time so they can focus on what they’re trying to say instead of worrying about writing it down before the time limit is up.
Overall, the main difference for the upcoming AP exams is the change in format. Rotondi explained that during the day of testing, students will receive their instructions from their computers instead of an instructor explaining them. She doesn’t think students’ scores will change significantly because of the format change. Nielsen also believes that, stating, “I think however I [score] is entirely dependent on me and how much I study and how much I prepare…” Since typing may be faster, taking up less time than writing, Kaur thinks her scores may improve because of that.
We’ll see how digital AP testing goes starting next year in May. To anyone else taking any AP exams, study well and good luck.
