AP exams coming soon

College Board announces 2021 AP testing dates and procedures

SANGMIN SONG REPORTER

The College Board announced the 2021 AP Exam Terms and Conditions in March, along with the testing dates and exam formats for this year.

Because 2020’s AP exams were abruptly changed into an online format due to COVID-19, there were lots of issues.

“Taking AP Statistics and AP World History online last year was honestly one of my worst experiences with exams in my life,” junior Jay Shin said. “Not only were testing conditions terrible and rushed, but the format only judged students on a singular essay format.”

The improvised online testing format was vulnerable to cheating and connectivity issues.

“There was virtually no moderation of the students taking exams, which enabled them to easily cheat off of the internet or other resources,” Shin said. “Some [students] had trouble submitting questions and were forced to take the test [again] if they had connection issues.”

To address the problems from last year, the College Board established new guidelines and procedures this year in order to ensure tests can be taken as smoothly and fairly as possible.

“For security reasons, digital exams won’t allow students to move back to previous questions or review questions they’ve already answered,” the College Board announced. “An internet connection is required, but students will be able to continue testing even if the connection drops momentarily.”

In addition to modifying the digital exams for a better testing experience, the College Board brought back in-person testing this year.

“I think it is good that the College Board is offering both types of exams,” AP U.S. History teacher Celina Morgan said. “FCPS has done a great job of making sure we can be safe in the building.”

FCPS chose to follow the ‘Administration 2’ program for the AP exams provided by the College Board, so McLean students will take the exams from May 10 to May 28. Depending on the course, exams will be either in person or at home. Some exams will use a traditional paper and pencil format, while others will be taken on computers.

“[Whether it’s in-person or online] depends on the subject and what is needed for each exam,” AP Micro/Macro Economics teacher Ryan Abrams said. “For example, AP Physics and Calculus may need [the work] to be handwritten or need more security for safe testing, which is why they will be offered in the school building.”

Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, FCPS has worked to minimize concerns about being in a relatively small space for several hours.

“The College Board is trying to offer a more socially safe way to take the test for those students who prefer and need it,” Abrams said. “I think McLean and Mrs. Wheeler, our AP exam coordinator, are fantastic and able to carry out standardized testing safely.”

With only a few weeks left before testing begins, this is a crucial time period for students to study and review content so they can end their school year on a high note.

“It is always better to start reviewing early for the exams, which means we should study before our classes are done with the curriculum,” Shin said.

For now, AP teachers are trying to keep up the pace in their classes to make sure students have enough review time before their exams.

“We were open with our students at the beginning about the pace of the course and how much students were going to have to learn from their readings,” Morgan said. “We will finish our curriculum and have time for review, and we will make sure students get well prepared before the test date.”