The AP Exams: What Will 2021 Look Like?
Last year’s AP exams were a big break from the norm: each test was a one-hour online exam covering only 75% of the AP curriculum due to COVID-19. With another set of exams on the horizon this May and COVID-19 restrictions still in effect, CollegeBoard has recently released information on how they plan to administer the 2021 AP exams.
Because local restrictions on in-person school instruction differ heavily from state to state, CollegeBoard is offering multiple options for the administration of the 2021 AP exams. If schools are open for in-person instruction, they will have the ability to offer in-person testing to their students. If the school is closed or COVID-related risks prevent students from in-person testing, CollegeBoard will authorize a full-length digital contingency exam to those students that can be taken completely remotely.
What does this mean for AP students? It means that you will be receiving a test this year that will more accurately compare to the 2019 AP exam than the 2020 online AP exam. The 2020 online AP exams were condensed, and, based on the feedback we received, slightly easier than in previous years. The 2020 AP tests were not designed to be an accurate representation of the entirety of the course material but instead to be a quick and safe alternative to the full-length in-person exams.
The AP curriculums were designed to be an academic challenge for students, and the move to online learning for a majority of local schools likely made it even more difficult for students this year to process the large amount of information for each course. This year you’ll be taking a full-length version of the exam regardless of if you have been receiving in-person or online instruction, so creating your study plan early is an important step to ensure you can plan your study time around your other commitments between now and your test date. Figuring out your weakest areas, using focused practice material, and having an expert to turn to when you get stuck, whether it be your teacher or a tutor, will all have a heavy hand in your overall success on the AP exams this year.
