

Like many college-level exams, this year’s AP Exams will be open book/open note. However, students may not consult with any other individuals during the testing period (with the exception of students working on the AP Computer Science Principles performance task). We will take the necessary steps to protect the integrity of each exam administration, as we do every year.

We are confident the vast majority of AP students will follow the rules for taking the exams. For the small number of students who may try to gain an unfair advantage, we have a comprehensive and strict set of protocols in place to prevent and detect cheating. We are keeping some of these protocols confidential to maximize their effectiveness. Others are listed here.

We've Designed the Exams with Security in Mind

The exam format and questions are being designed specifically for an at-home administration, so points will not be earned from content that can be found in textbooks or online.

Each subject’s exam will be taken on the same day at the same time, worldwide.

On test day, students will be required to verify their identity and confirm the work they submitted is their own.

We'll Use Tools to Detect Plagiarism

We will be monitoring social media and discussion sites to detect and disrupt cheating. We may post content designed to confuse and deter those who attempt to cheat.

We’re using a range of digital security tools and techniques, including plagiarism detection software and post-administration analytics, to protect the integrity of the exams.

In addition, each student’s AP teacher will receive copies of the work the student submits to us, enabling teachers to spot inconsistencies with students’ known work.

There Will Be Consequences for Students Who Violate Exam Security

Students whose responses mirror online content or other students’ submissions will have their scores canceled.

Students sharing or receiving exam content or exam responses, or engaging in any plans or efforts to provide or gain an unfair advantage, will be blocked from testing or their AP scores will be canceled. This includes communications or assistance in person, via the internet, via social media, or by any other means.

If we determine that a student gained or provided an unfair advantage on an AP Exam, we’ll notify their high school so the school can choose to take necessary disciplinary action, as appropriate. We’ll also provide information about the incident to colleges or other organizations to which the student has already sent any College Board scores (including SAT scores)—or to which the student would send scores in the future.

College Board scores (including SAT scores)—or to which the student would send scores in the future. Students who attempt to gain an unfair advantage also may be prohibited from taking a future Advanced Placement Exam as well as the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, or CLEP assessments.

Under certain circumstances, College Board may inform law enforcement of any incident to determine if prosecution of the test taker, or anyone assisting the test taker in misconduct, is warranted.

We encourage anyone with knowledge of any dishonest behavior with respect to the Advanced Placement Exams to contact College Board Test Security. Reports can be made confidentially at our Test Security Web Hotline.