Digital AP Exams in 2025

Learn about the major changes coming to AP Exams in 2025 as the College Board transitions most tests to a digital format. Find out which exams are going digital, how the new testing interface works, and how to prepare.

In May 2025, the College Board will be taking a significant step forward by administering the majority of Advanced Placement (AP) Exams in a new digital format. This shift is a response to concerns about exam security and the evolving educational technology landscape. While the core skills and knowledge tested won't change, the way students interact with the tests will look different.

Which AP Exams Are Going Digital?

Starting in May 2025, there are 28 AP Exams that will no longer be offered as standard paper-based tests for the majority of students. Instead, they'll be delivered through the College Board's Bluebook testing application. Among these 28 exams, 16 will be fully digital, meaning you'll answer both multiple-choice and free-response questions entirely on a device. Meanwhile, 12 subjects will move to a hybrid digital format, in which you'll see and respond to multiple-choice questions digitally but handwrite free-response answers in a paper booklet.

Fully Digital AP Exams

For the 16 fully digital exams, every part of your test—from reading the questions to typing out your free-response answers—will occur on the computer. Once the exam session ends, your responses will be submitted automatically. These fully digital exams include:

• AP African American Studies (U.S. schools only)
• 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
• AP European History
• AP Human Geography
• AP Latin
• AP Psychology
• AP Seminar
• AP United States Government and Politics
• AP United States History
• AP World History: Modern

Hybrid Digital AP Exams

Twelve exams will follow a hybrid model. This approach acknowledges that some subjects still benefit from handwritten work, especially when dealing with mathematical symbols, graphs, and intricate chemical or physical notations. The multiple-choice sections for these subjects will appear in the Bluebook app, but free-response answers must be handwritten in the provided booklet. Hybrid exams include:

• AP Biology
• AP Calculus AB
• AP Calculus BC
• AP Chemistry
• AP Macroeconomics
• AP Microeconomics
• AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
• AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based
• AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
• AP Physics C: Mechanics
• AP Precalculus
• AP Statistics

Exams That Are Not Changing

A handful of AP subjects will continue in their traditional formats, unchanged for 2025. Exams like AP Chinese, French, German, Italian, and Japanese Language and Culture; AP Music Theory; the AP Art and Design portfolio submissions; AP Research; and AP Spanish Language and Spanish Literature and Culture will follow their existing policies and structures.

What Is Changing (and What Isn't)?

The shift to digital format does not alter the curriculum or the skills you need to master. The number of sections, the type of questions, the amount of time you have, and the distribution of topics tested remain consistent with prior years. You still need to study the same material, practice the same skills, and familiarize yourself with the same content that has always been emphasized in your AP course.

While the content doesn't change, the testing medium does. The Bluebook application introduces new features designed to streamline the testing experience. For fully digital exams, you'll be able to highlight text, annotate question prompts, and eliminate answer choices just as you might mark up a paper test. Scratch paper will still be provided so you can plan or outline your free-response answers by hand if needed.

Technology Requirements and Logistics

You'll need a suitable device—Mac, Windows, iPad, or a school-managed Chromebook—that can run the Bluebook app. The good news is that you only need an active internet connection at the start and the very end of the exam. If the connection drops midway, you can still continue testing without interruption.

For schools worried about having enough devices or reliable internet, the College Board offers solutions. Schools can request loaner devices and Wi-Fi support. If battery life is a concern, consider that devices typically last through the entire testing period on a full charge.

Preparing for the Digital Experience

Given these changes, it's crucial not just to study the course material, but also to become comfortable with the Bluebook testing environment well before exam day. From January 2025 onward, you'll have access to test previews and practice assessments that closely mimic the digital testing interface.

Take advantage of these practice tools to get used to navigating between questions, annotating text, using the on-screen calculators, and marking questions for later review. Watch the available video tours and tutorials to familiarize yourself with every tool and feature in Bluebook.

Key Takeaways for 2025 Test Takers

• Know Your Exam Format: Identify whether your chosen AP subject is fully digital or hybrid
• Master the Tools: Get comfortable with the Bluebook app's features
• No Content Changes: The exam topics, question types, and timing remain the same
• Practice in a Digital Environment: Use the official practice assessments
• Manage Your Technology: Ensure your device meets requirements and is fully charged