By: Emily Bottegal

Advanced Placement (AP) exams look very different this year because of COVID-19. Students will take the 45-minute exam from home (or school if they have reopened). Exams will be open note/open book, and will consist of free response questions. Students will be able to access the exam on any devices, including computer, tablet, or phone. Answers can either be typed into the text box, uploaded, or if students prefer to hand write the answers, they can take a picture and submit it via their phone.

This type of test taking may be daunting for some students, especially when they are missing out on the in-person teaching experience to learn that last month of material or so. So let’s talk more about how to approach the exam this year under these new circumstances to best set you up for success:

Scoring: AP exams will continue to be scored on a 1-5 point scale. Scores will be assigned by College Board’s network of college faculty and AP readers, with the expected scoring release date as close to the usual July timeframe as possible.

What Does Open Note/Open Book Mean: While the AP exams are open note and open book, students are expected to apply the information in new ways. This means students will have to fully understand the concepts to be able to receive a high score on the exam. Writing down definitions or trying to search the web for an answer will not help the student. Students should prepare for the test by studying their class notes, previous tests and study guides, and the class text. Students should also create a comprehensive note page that is not too long and overwhelming. You have limited time to take the test, and we do not want you wasting it trying to find the concept on your note page instead of answering the questions.

What Is Going To Be On The Test: Most subjects have removed units from the exam that students were not able to learn in the classroom. For example, for the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam, only units 1-4 will be eligible for the 2020 exam. Units 5-6 will not be included on the exam. Please check the College Board website, for course-specific exam information.

What If I Need Extra Help: College Board is live streaming and recording videos to help students. These are optional free online classes and review sessions to help students prepare for the exams. Online AP Classes on YouTube and On Demand Lessons.

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Check out our exam prep strategies blog for more study tips and strategies to prepare for your exams. Approaching studying and exams can be difficult! Do not feel like you have to go at it alone. If you need help in creating a study plan to best prepare yourself for the 2020 AP exams, contact us to schedule a session with an Executive Function coach who can help you create and execute your study plan!

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