Are AP Exams going digital 2024?

Yes, most AP Exams went digital starting in May 2025, with the College Board accelerating its transition due to security concerns after cheating incidents in 2024, moving 28 subjects to the Bluebook™ app for fully digital or hybrid testing. Students use their own or school devices for the digital exams, though some STEM subjects use a hybrid model, viewing questions online and writing free-response answers on paper.

Are all AP exams digital in 2024?

As announced in July 2024, College Board is transitioning most AP Exams to a digital format for the 2025 AP Exam administration, which will take place in schools from May 5 to 16, 2025. Standard paper testing has been discontinued for 28 of the 36 AP subjects with end-of-course exams.

Which AP exams are fully digital?

Fully Digital AP Exams

• AP African American Studies.
• AP Art History.
• AP Comparative Government and Politics.
• AP Computer Science A.
• AP Computer Science Principles*
• AP English Language and Composition.
• AP English Literature and Composition.
• AP Environmental Science.

What is the hardest AP test in 2024?

AP Physics 1 consistently ranks as one of the hardest AP courses, with only 47.3% of students scoring a 3 or higher in 2024 (College Board). Nearly 26.6% earned a 1, reflecting the exam's heavy emphasis on conceptual reasoning and algebra-based problem-solving.

When did the AP test become digital?

During the 2025 AP exam administration – which took place between May 5 and May 16, 2025 – 16 tests transitioned to a fully digital format: AP African American Studies. AP Art History.

2025 AP Score Reaction by 6 Goons (in front of teacher)

What is the #1 hardest AP class?

While it varies by student, AP Physics 1 is frequently cited as the #1 hardest AP class due to low pass rates, complex algebra-based concepts, and intensive lab work, with other top contenders for difficulty including AP U.S. History, AP Environmental Science, and AP English Language. The difficulty often comes from content overload, conceptual depth, and demands for hands-on application, making it challenging for many students to score high. 

Does Harvard prefer AP or IB?

Harvard College doesn't prefer IB or AP; they value students challenging themselves with rigorous courses, whether it's the comprehensive IB Diploma or specific AP exams, but the focus is on strong performance, taking what's appropriate for your school, and excelling in the chosen path, with both showing commitment to advanced learning. While IB offers a cohesive program, AP allows more flexibility, and both demonstrate college readiness, though Harvard mainly uses exam scores for placement, not degree credit. 

Has anyone ever gotten a 100% on an AP test?

Yes, students have achieved perfect scores (100%) on AP exams, earning every possible point, though it's extremely rare and usually only one student achieves it globally for a specific exam in a given year, earning the top score of 5 on the 1-5 scale. These students, like Felix Zhang (AP Calculus AB) or Katie He (AP Computer Science), get notified by the College Board, but the achievement is often recognized more locally than nationally, according to these College Confidential posts, this NY Post article and this Mainstreet Daily News article. 

Does Harvard accept 4 on AP exams?

No, Harvard University generally does not accept AP scores of 4 for course credit or advanced standing, requiring a score of 5 for most subjects, and even then, they primarily use scores for placement or fulfilling specific prerequisites, not for reducing the total number of courses needed for graduation. A score of 5 might help you skip introductory requirements (like a foreign language), but you still need to take the required 32 courses at Harvard, and scores of 4 are typically not enough for this "advanced standing". 

Are digital AP exams easier?

The short answer is no - the College Board has explicitly stated that the digital transition will not affect the difficulty or integrity of the exams.

Is a 50% a 3 on the AP test?

A 50% on an AP exam often translates to a score of 3 (Qualified) or sometimes a 2, but it depends heavily on the subject and the specific year's test difficulty, as scores are curved; 50-60% raw can often land near a 3, especially in harder subjects like STEM, while some exams might require more for a 3. A score of 3 is generally considered passing and may earn college credit. 

How much will 3 AP classes raise my GPA?

Three AP classes significantly boost your weighted GPA by adding extra points (often +1.0 per A grade) on top of the standard 4.0 scale, turning an 'A' into a 5.0, a 'B' into a 4.0, etc., making your transcript look much stronger to colleges, though the exact boost depends on your school's specific weighting system and your actual grades in those courses. 

Can you use a personal laptop for AP exams?

The AP Digital and Hybrid exams, and PSAT Digital tests can be taken on these devices: Windows laptop. Tablet. Mac.

How many people took AP tests in 2024?

Over 1.2 million students in the class of 2024 took more than 4.3 million AP Exams in public high schools nationwide, as educators across the country continue to enable a wider and more diverse population of students to participate in AP.

Can I take the AP Exam at home?

To be ready to complete one or more AP Exams in the Digital, at-home format, you must complete four required readiness steps (also outlined below) to be able to access your at-home AP Exam(s).

Is 9 aps enough for the Ivy League?

Nine APs can be strong for an Ivy League application, but it's not a magic number; admissions focus on taking the most rigorous courses available at your school, so 9 is competitive if it represents maximizing your opportunities alongside excellent grades, scores, and extracurriculars, while many successful applicants take 10-14+ APs, often in core subjects. Quality, balance, and demonstration of intellectual curiosity matter more than just quantity. 

What's the hardest AP to pass?

Frequently Asked Questions About the Hardest AP Classes

While all AP courses are considered difficult, AP Physics is the hardest, with 45.6% of students passing with a score of 3 or higher.

Does UCLA accept 3 on AP test?

Credit from Advanced Placement (AP) Exams

UCLA awards college credit for AP exams with scores of three or higher.

Do colleges prefer IB or AP?

Colleges generally don't prefer AP over IB or vice versa; both are seen as rigorous, excellent preparation for college, and valuable for earning credit, with the main goal being that students challenge themselves with the hardest courses their school offers. The choice often depends on your learning style (AP is a la carte, IB is a structured diploma) and school availability, but admissions officers look for academic rigor and a student's dedication to advanced studies in either program.
 

What is the least taken AP class?

The course with the lowest number of registrations by November 2023 was AP Italian Language with only 2,358 registrations.

Is Apush the hardest AP?

APUSH (AP U.S. History) is widely considered one of the harder AP exams due to its immense content volume, demanding writing components (DBQs, LEQs), and strict time constraints, often ranking among the most difficult alongside subjects like AP Physics 1 or AP Biology, though its difficulty can depend on the student's strengths, teacher, and prior history knowledge.
 

Can I get into an ivy with no APs?

Ivy League & Holistic Review

A critical point: No Ivy League school sets a fixed minimum number of APs. Instead, they evaluate students holistically, considering academic performance relative to what was available. Admissions officers want to see that: You maximized rigor at your school.

Is 1530 enough for Harvard?

Ivy League admissions are very competitive. SAT scores alone won't get you in, but here's what's considered competitive: Harvard, Princeton, MIT, Stanford: 1530-1580.

Is 10 AP classes impressive?

For students aiming for the Ivy League and Top 20 schools in the United States, a good target is to take (and pass) 10-14 AP classes throughout your high school career — or 3-4 each year.