AP Tests Move Online Due To Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

COVID-19 isn’t stopping students from taking Advanced Placement tests in hopes of gaining college credit, and testing starts Monday.

This year’s AP exams will be administered online for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic, and possibly add even more pressure for students. 

High school seniors can use Advanced Placement test scores for college credit and spend a little less money on college classes.

Teacher Daren Cousins said “one chemistry course can cost you over $1500 to $2000 by the time you have your lab fees and that’s not counting books.”

That’s why Union chemistry teacher Daren Cousins said he’s been helping his students prepare, even though COVID-19 is keeping them out of the classroom.

He’s posting exercises online and hosting Zoom sessions to go over questions from previous tests. 

“Some of my stronger students are finding that they’re a little less motivated at home; so [for] those students, it is helping quite a bit because at least there’s some sort of structure to it and they can ask questions and get feedback” Cousins said.

The College Board, which is in charge of the test, said it’ll only cover material students learned through March; so kids shouldn’t have to worry about anything they didn’t cover in class.

Cousins said he believes his students will do just fine.

“They’ve worked hard all year. It’s almost done, just see it through until the end.”

AP tests continue through May 22nd and test results should come back mid-summer.