College Board Advanced Placement (AP) 2021 Updates
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many high schools, especially in the United States, to shut down campuses for health and safety reasons. While we empathize with families because of these frustrations, we hope that students keep in mind that health and safety must take priority. As such, College Board has decided that the May and June 2021 Advanced Placement (AP) exams will be in both paper-format for schools that are open and digital-format for students who need to take APs at home. Therefore, we have organized some important test dates and updates below to alleviate concerns.
May and June 2021 AP Exam Dates
The May and June 2021 AP exams will be in traditional paper-format for students taking them at school or designated test centers. Digital AP exams may be completed at home for students who are unable to complete them on campus. College Board has divided exam dates into three (3) Administration sections.
Administration 1 (In School):
Monday, May 3, 2021--Friday, May 7, 2021
Monday, May 10, 2021--Wednesday, May 12, 2021
Friday, May 14, 2021
Monday, May 17, 2021
Note: No AP exams are scheduled for Thursday, May 13, 2021
Administration 2 (In School and At Home):
Tuesday, May 18, 2021--Friday, May 21, 2021
Monday, May 24, 2021--Friday, May 28, 2021
Administration 3 (In School and At Home):
Tuesday, June 1, 2021--Friday, June 4, 2021
Monday, June 7, 2021--Friday, June 11, 2021
Know Your Test Dates and Locations Now
Although some students may have the choice between in-school and take-home AP exams, others may not. We strongly suggest students find out their test dates now. Whether parents, educational consultants, or other organizations registered students for the May and June 2021 AP exams, students should confirm with their own eyes their registration numbers and seats. With so many changes from College Board and schools, mixing up test dates, locations, or formats can happen. Knowing the exact test dates and locations will also prepare students for training adjustments. For example, we train students very distinctly when they take paper-formatted or digital-formatted AP exams. We think out our training strategies like tacticians to adjust to a variety of possibilities.
Office Desk. Source: Stocksnap, 2017.
Security Warnings for Digital AP Exams
We understand the appeal of taking digital AP exams at home. Students may feel less stressed in a familiar, home environment. On the surface, families may even think that digital exams will automatically be easier, but this is definitely not the case. The May and June 2021 digital AP exams will have several security issues that students must not take lightly:
Students will neither be able to return to answered questions nor be able move back-and-forth between unanswered questions
Questions will be phrased in new ways that cannot be answered with internet searches, textbooks, or study guides
Questions will contain security features to prevent students from accessing outside help from other individuals, even those who may sit next to them
The digital test system will have plagiarism detection software
All digital exams worldwide will start at the same time according to the time zones in the United States
With these security issues in mind, AP students should realize that digital questions will be unconventionally formatted to curb cheating. This means that previous practice tests, question-types, or test-taking strategies may not necessarily apply to the digital AP exams. Students should prepare for curveball questions, new test formats and new supplementary material, such as maps, graphs, tables and data.
We strongly recommend students to thoroughly think about these security issues surrounding digital AP exams. We also caution students to keep in mind that any of these College Board security policies may change before the May and June 2021 AP exams. New security policies may also be added. College Board reserves the right to change their security policies considering the high amount of documented cheating from the May and June 2020 digital AP exams.
Alarm Clock. Source: Jeshoots, 2017.
Adjusting Sleeping Schedules for International Students
Students taking digital AP exams must adjust their sleeping schedules to time zones in the United States. Since all digital AP exams worldwide will start at the same time according to time zones in the United States, we strongly recommend international students adjust their sleeping schedules several weeks in advance of the AP exams. This means international students must prepare to take AP exams at night. Besides adjusting sleeping schedules, students should also adjust eating schedules. Taking long exams in the middle of the night will already be challenges for international students. Adding empty stomachs is another obstacle that can be avoided. Successful AP students know how to prioritize their well-being in order to perform at their best.
Modem. Source: Reiseblogger, 2020.
Anticipate Technology Problems
For students taking, or considering, digital AP exams at home, we strongly recommend families check and then double-check their internet access. Weak internet connections at home can disrupt digital AP exams and waste precious test-time. Even if students experience Wi-Fi connectivity problems at home, the AP exam clock will still run. Contrary to how families may feel about the fairness of digital AP exams, slow or ineffective internet connections are really not problems that fall upon College Board. These are responsibilities that families must assume. Families should also ensure that no one else jams up the Wi-Fi speed at home during AP exams. If students have slow computers, old computers, or other technological-device issues, they should resolve these problems now. Anticipating technological problems should not be underestimated.
Questions About the May and June 2021 AP Exams?
We encourage families to add questions to this post. Parents and students may also email us questions or topics they would like us to write about. We are more than happy to provide guidance for AP exams and will try our very best to answer questions during these unconventional times.
