AP Exams Are Changing—Make Sure You’re Not the One Losing Points
Joshua sits down at his desk, ready to take his AP English exam. But instead of flipping through a thick test booklet, he’s staring at a computer screen. The clock is ticking. He starts typing his essay, scrolling through multiple-choice questions, and navigating a brand-new digital format he’s barely practiced with. Panic sets in.
Meanwhile, across the room, Lyka is calm. She’s taken full-length digital practice tests, knows exactly how to pace herself, and isn’t thrown off by the new setup. She clicks through the questions smoothly, focusing on her answers—not the technology.
Two students. Same test. Different outcomes.
This year, the College Board is introducing major changes to AP exams—and students who prepare the right way will walk into test day with a huge advantage.
Here’s what’s changing—and how you can make sure you’re the one who’s ready.
The Big Shift: AP Exams Are Going Digital
For the first time, 28 AP exams will be administered on the Bluebook™ testing app. This means:
Essays will be typed instead of handwritten in exams like AP English Language and AP Psychology.
Multiple-choice sections will be completed digitally in subjects like AP Biology and AP Calculus, though some free-response answers will still be written on paper.
Stricter security measures will include locked browsers and restricted navigation between sections.
Some students will walk into test day unprepared, struggling to adjust. Others will have already practiced in the Bluebook app, knowing exactly what to expect.
The AP Physics Overhaul: More Questions, More Time, More Strategy Needed
Joshua thought he knew what to expect from his AP Physics C exam—until he saw the test in front of him. More multiple-choice questions than last year. An extra free-response question. And the time? Twice as long as before.
In 2025, AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism will have a new format:
40 multiple-choice questions (up from 35), now with four answer choices instead of five.
Four free-response questions (up from three).
Extended time limits: 80 minutes for multiple choice and 100 minutes for free-response.
For students who aren’t used to sitting for this long, fatigue will be a real challenge. Time management will make or break their scores.
How to Be the Student Who’s Ready
Right now, there are two types of students:
Those who assume AP exams will be the same as last year.
Those who are already training for the new format, practicing on Bluebook, and learning the new pacing strategies.
Who do you think will walk into test day feeling confident?
These updates aren’t just changes—they’re opportunities for students who prepare strategically.
At Ivy Link, we’ve been preparing students for these AP exam changes from day one—so they walk into test day fully confident and ready. With digital practice exams, expert tutoring, and personalized strategies, we help students stay ahead.
Whether you need to master Bluebook, navigate the new AP Physics format, or refine your test-taking approach, we’ve got you covered. Take control of your AP prep. Book a consultation today and start preparing like a top scorer.
