Over the past few months at Bonita Vista High (BVH), there have been conversations discussing the 2024 Advanced Placement (AP) tests becoming digital. According to the AP and International Baccalaureate (IB) coordinator Jared Phelps, he had known about the tests transitioning from paper to online for a few months. However, the only test that will be taken digitally at BVH is the AP African American Studies as it was not the time for other classes to be taken digitally.
“The AP College Board decided this year one exam will be a pilot year. The exam is the AP African American Studies and because it’s a new exam they had made it the getgo for the digital exams. All of the students who are taking that AP test will take it digitally,” Phelps said.
Phelps has been informed about the upcoming changes in the AP exams and had a quick response regarding if BVH would transition into digital exams. However, not all AP teachers were directly informed about this from the College Board—a non-profit organization that allows students to partake in various educational programs like the AP Program—but rather through the internet and their colleagues. According to IB English Literature and English 9 teacher Nikki Monfredo, the news did not come across as shocking to her, because she knew changes would eventually occur.
“I read about it online when the news broke at the beginning of the year; although, it was already being discussed [about digital exams]. It was not a surprise, but other AP English teachers were discussing the changes and I heard about it from them as well,” Monfredo said. “Because students are used to typing now, it will be easier for the students to write three essays without hand cramping and the stress of writing quickly,” — IB English Literature and English 9 teacher Nikki Monfredo
With the AP African American Studies exam set to be taken digitally, College Board provided schools the opportunity of the AP English Language, AP English Literature, AP World History, AP US History, and AP Computer Science Principle exams to be taken digitally. Phelps decided that it would be beneficial for BVH students to take their exams digitally, as he believed it would reduce stress levels.
“This year the AP College Board allowed certain schools if they wanted five additional exams to be digital on top of the AP African American Studies. I went back and talked about this back in January and said that it was right for [BVH] to have our students take the tests digitally,” Phelps said.
According to Monfredo, there are advantages to taking the exams digitally. For instance, it might be convenient and less stressful for a student to prepare for their exam. She further elaborates that it will be easier for test graders to read and grade these.
“Because students are used to typing now, it will be easier for the students to write three essays without hand cramping and the stress of writing quickly. They will also be able to edit and it won’t leave the reader confused with crossed out lines or arrows. It will be easier for the reader to score and read the different handwriting styles and with a computer, the students will have access to spell check and grammar corrections,” Monfredo said.
However, advantages come with some disadvantages. Monfredo believes that when taking the AP tests, technological issues may occur. Taking the digital exam, there can be faults with the computer, along with log in troubles—taking time away from the test. Moreover, as the AP exams are up close, teachers have already set a plan for their tests to be taken on paper.
“There can be computer issues, no battery, log in troubles, internet and power outages. In addition, practice will need to include more typing essays and students will be more tempted to use tools like Artificial Intelligence. I also think creativity flows better from a brain to a pen, but change can be difficult to accept at first. Teachers will learn how to adapt their lessons so it benefits the students,” Monfredo said.
Although Phelps has his own thoughts on whether or not the AP exams should be taken digitally or remain on paper, the input that he has received from students is nothing, but positive. He has been told it is easier for the students to type, giving them more time to focus on the exam.
“I think that the tests are a positive thing because students don’t have to bubble anything in the beginning of the exam because there is no paper to do it on. All they would need to do is login on their College Board account and do their test. It also means that the times are better kept for it because everyone gets a timer saying window and it tells you when you have a break,” Phelps said.