By Ari Boldur
With the coronavirus pandemic forcing country-wide school closures last spring, the College Board decided to conduct their yearly Advanced Placement exams online. This was an unprecedented time for students and teachers due to these three hour exams being cut to forty-five minutes. The exams, which typically consisted of three or four sections, were shortened to one section. For example, the AP Language and Composition exam usually has a multiple-choice section and three essays, but this past spring's exam only required students to write one essay.
This situation now poses the question of whether or not students will register to take AP exams this upcoming May, and what those exams will look like.
“I’m taking the AP exams for Calculus AB, Government and Politics, and Statistics. I wouldn’t mind the tests being like last year because it would keep everyone safer, especially if the coronavirus is still around. The online format still tests your knowledge of the course as a whole, so I would rather the exams be online again” said senior Zachary Blumenson.
“I wouldn’t mind the tests being like last year because it would keep everyone safer, especially if coronavirus is still around. The online format still tests your knowledge of the course as a whole...”
Last spring, many students were relieved that the exams were shortened, and others were frustrated as to why the exams were still given during such trying times. In addition, the College Board faced backlash due to the technological errors that their website had. Countless students had to retake their exams, which had to be very frustrating.
Senior Laura Los is taking the AP Psychology exam this year.
“I would prefer the exams to be in person because of the constant fear that you can have technological issues. Although we had to take the test under different circumstances, it caused a lot of trouble for many of my peers. Many had to retake the exams during the summer because their exams did not save online. I think the best option is to take them in person while following CDC safety guidelines,” said Los.
Source by Olivia Wong
The 2020 AP exams caused a lot of stress and anxiety for students due to technological issues.
Every student and teacher had unique experiences regarding last year’s exams, with some people having to retake their exam due to technological errors. If the exams are online again, the College Board will hopefully eliminate this issue so that every student has the best test-taking experience possible.
There is hope for in-person AP exams this year; the College Board has been administering SAT tests following CDC guidelines in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. It is still up in the air about how these exams will be executed this May, and some students are hoping for online while others advocate for in-person. This uncertainty has to be difficult for teachers as well. Teaching a class in preparation for an AP exam is a challenge, but not knowing the format of the exam for this year may complicate some teachers' curriculums.