Published: March 20, 2025
What are APs?
AP means advanced placement. AP classes are national standardized tests administered by the College Board (the same body responsible for the SAT). AP exams take place over 2 weeks in early May each year. AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5. AP classes are based on a standardized curriculum, in preparation for the AP exam. AP courses demonstrate RIGOR to college admissions officers and show that a student can meet the rigors of their high school if it offers AP-level courses. Some colleges will award students college credits for mastering AP course material and scoring a 4 or a 5 on the AP exams.
Digital AP Exams
In May 2025, 28 AP exams will go digital. The paper tests will be discontinued, and the exams will move to the Bluebook digital testing platform (the same platform used for the SAT). Some exams will be fully digital, while others will have a hybrid format. Fully digital exams will administer all multiple-choice and free-response questions on the Bluebook App. For hybrid exams, students will view the questions in Bluebook but write free responses by hand in paper booklets that are returned for scoring. Despite these changes, the structure and duration of the AP exams (number of sections, question types, and timing) remain unchanged.
The Bluebook App and tools are user-friendly and allow students to digitally highlight, annotate, and eliminate answer choices. There is also a built-in Desmos calculator, which allows for easy graphing and solving and is included on 12 AP exams, including AB & BC Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Environmental Science, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and Precalculus.
Tips for Preparing for AP Exams
- Know your exam dates well in advance. Dates and times for the 2025 AP exams are listed on the College Board website.
- Consult the AP Classroom on the College Board website for practice tests and questions.
- Practice multiple-choice and typing free-response questions on your computer for full digital exams.
- For hybrid exams, complete multiple-choice questions on your computer and read free-response questions in Bluebook while writing your answers on paper.
- Practice using the built-in Bluebook Desmos calculator.
- Keep up with your AP coursework so you don’t have to cram.
- Create a study and review timeline for AP exams. Give yourself enough work-back time to keep up with your other coursework and obligations.
- Work with a tutor who has experience teaching and tutoring the content of your AP exams!