2020 AP EXAM
INFORMATION FOR SMA STUDENTS (COVID-19 EDITION)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I registered for the AP exam. How will I take it?
What is the format of the exams?
Exam Length, Structure, and Format
- The exams will only include topics and skills most AP teachers and students have already covered in class by early March. We know that some students have lost more class time than others, and we want to be fair to all students.
- Like many college-level exams, this year’s AP Exams will be open book/open note. Get tips for taking open book/open note exams.
- Most exams will have one or two free-response questions, and each question is timed separately. Students will need to write and submit their responses within the allotted time for each question.
- For most subjects, the exams will be 45 minutes long, and include an additional 5 minutes for uploading. Students will need to access the online testing system 30 minutes early to get set up.
- Students will be able to take exams on any device they have access to—computer, tablet, or smartphone. They will be able to either type and upload their responses or write responses by hand and submit a photo via their cell phone.
Computer Science Principles will use a portfolio submission and will not have a separate online exam. The deadline for your submission is May 26, 2020, 10:59 p.m. CST.
What if I do not have access to a device to take the exam?
If you are a student or you know a student who needs mobile tools or connectivity, you can reach out to College Board directly or—just fill out this form by April 24.
When will I take my exam?
- Monday, May 11 @ 3:00 p.m.- US Government and Politics
- Tuesday, May 12 @ 3:00 p.m.-Human Geography
- Thursday, May 14 @ 3:00 p.m. - Physics 1: Algebra Based
- Friday, May 15 @ 1:00 p.m. - US History
- Monday, May 18 @ 1:00 p.m. - Biology
- Wednesday, May 20 @ 3:00 p.m. - Microeconomics
- Friday, May 22 @ 1:00 p.m. - Statistics
For course specific exam information, please click here. This link will detail the format of each exam, as well as which units will and will not be covered.
How can I prepare for the exam?
Khan Academy also has several free instructional videos, articles, and practice exercises designed to build the knowledge and skills needed for AP-level courses.
I registered for the exam, but I have decided not to take it. What do I need to do?
I did not pay my exam fee prior to the closure. How can I pay?
How will College Board prevent cheating and plagiarism with the new exams? (from College Board)
Like many college-level exams, this year’s AP Exams will be open book/open note. However, students may not consult with any other individuals during the testing period (with the exception of students working on the AP Computer Science Principles Create performance task). We will take the necessary steps to protect the integrity of each exam administration, as we do every year.
We are confident the vast majority of AP students will follow the rules for taking the exams. For the small number of students who may try to gain an unfair advantage, we have a comprehensive and strict set of protocols in place to prevent and detect cheating. We are keeping some of these protocols confidential to maximize their effectiveness. Others are listed here.
We've Designed the Exams with Security in Mind
- The exam format and questions are being designed specifically for an at-home administration, so points will not be earned from content that can be found in textbooks or online.
- Each subject’s exam will be taken on the same day at the same time, worldwide.
- On test day, students will be required to verify their identity and confirm the work they submitted is their own.
We'll Use Tools to Detect Plagiarism
- We’re using a range of digital security tools and techniques, including plagiarism detection software and post-administration analytics, to protect the integrity of the exams.
- In addition, each student’s AP teacher will receive copies of the work the student submits to us, enabling teachers to spot inconsistencies with students’ known work.
Students Who Violate Exam Security Will Receive Consequences
- Students whose responses mirror online content or other students’ submissions will have their scores canceled.
- Students sharing or receiving exam content or exam responses, or engaging in any plans or efforts to provide or gain an unfair advantage, will be blocked from testing or their AP scores will be cancelled. This includes communications or assistance in-person, via the Internet, social media, or any other means.
- If we determine that a student gained or provided an unfair advantage on an AP Exam, we’ll notify their high school so the school can choose to take necessary disciplinary action, as appropriate. We’ll also provide information about the incident to colleges or other organizations to which the student has already sent any College Board scores (including SAT scores)—or to which the student would send scores in the future.
- Students who attempt to gain an unfair advantage also may be prohibited from taking a future Advanced Placement Exam as well as the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, or CLEP assessments.
- Under certain circumstances, College Board may inform law enforcement of any incident to determine if prosecution of the test taker, or anyone assisting the test taker in misconduct, is warranted.
We encourage anyone with knowledge of any dishonest behavior with respect to the Advanced Placement Exams to contact College Board Test Security. Reports can be made confidentially at our Test Security Web Hotline.