What’s New in the 2025 AP Exam Format?
In the past year, over 1.1 million U.S. high school students—an impressive 34.7%—took AP exams!
With 38 AP courses spread across 7 categories, choosing the right ones can feel overwhelming.
Advanced Placement (AP) exams, which were once exclusively pen-and-paper, are increasingly transitioning to a digital format.
But what does this change really mean for you? Let’s break it down step-by-step.
Why is Advanced Placement (AP) Important?
📌 College Credit: AP scores give you college credit, which means you have to take fewer classes each semester and explore other classes you’re interested in.
📌 College Admissions: Good AP scores help you showcase your academic rigor to the admission officer.
📌 Cost Savings: AP tests can increase college readiness and decrease the number of classes you need to attend in college and subsequently can decrease the cost of tuition.
📌 Time for Internships: AP credits can free up your time which you can use to do internships to get real-world experience.
If you’re planning to take these exams, understanding the digital format is crucial to ensure you perform at your best.
Which Subjects are Going Digital?
In 2025, 28 AP Exams will be administered digitally using Bluebook. These digital exams may be fully online or in a hybrid format. For the remaining AP Exams not conducted in Bluebook, the formats will vary. Here’s a breakdown of the 2025 AP Exams.
| Category | AP Exams |
|---|
| AP Exams Going Fully Digital | African American Studies, Art History, Comparative Government and Politics, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science, European History, Human Geography, Latin, Psychology, Seminar, United States Government and Politics, United States History, World History: Modern |
| AP Exams Going Hybrid | Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Physics 1: Algebra-Based, Physics 2: Algebra-Based, Physics: Electricity and Magnetism, Physics: Mechanics, Precalculus, Statistics |
| AP Exams Planned for Digital Transition | Chinese Language and Culture, French Language and Culture, German Language and Culture, Italian Language and Culture, Japanese Language and Culture, Spanish Language and Culture, Spanish Literature and Culture, Music Theory |
What’s Changing in the Digital Format?
The digital AP exams aren’t just paper tests moved online; they bring new features designed to enhance your testing experience. Here’s what you need to know:
1️⃣ Flexibility in Testing Locations
With digital exams, you might have the option to take the test in a school, or at a testing center.
Why it matters: You can choose a setting where you feel the most comfortable and focused.
2️⃣ Adaptive Timing and Navigation
Unlike traditional exams where you move question by question, digital AP exams may allow you to:
- Flag questions to return to later.
- Adjust the pace at which you answer, ensuring you maximize your score.
💡 Pro Tip: Practice using these tools in advance to develop a time management strategy that works for you.
