2021 AP Tests are Coming - Here's What You Need to Know
Hello AP Students,
We wanted to give you some important information regarding your upcoming AP exams. Please read carefully and thoroughly, and reach out to Ms. Moore (kathryn.moore@k12.dc.gov) and Ms. Hanley (megan.hanley@k12.dc.gov) for any questions.
NEW: 2021 AP Exam Office Hours Q&A for Students and Parents on Thursday, April 29th from 4:30pm-5:30pm (check your email for link)
There are 4 important steps that all AP students must take below and can be reviewed here: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap-2021/updates/four-steps-before-digital-test
In-Person Exam Information
If you have an exam that is scheduled in-person, please be on the lookout for an email forthcoming with specific protocols and guidelines for in-person testing.
Attendance
Students are expected to sign in to Canvas between the hours of 6:30am and 11:59pm to ensure attendance is captured for the day. Class lists will be shared with teachers for days students are testing, however, students are encouraged to communicate with their teachers on the days they will be engaged in testing.
Computer Compatibility for Digital AP Exams
All students taking a digital exam (see schedule below), must be using a PC or Mac computer/laptop. Chromebooks, tablets and phones will not be usable during AP exams. If you require a school-issued laptop, please email Mr. Ware (danny.ware@k12.dc.gov) and administration and plan to pick up a laptop on Wednesdays from 11am-2pm. School-issued laptops are available on a limited basis.
If a student has a school-issued laptop, the AP exam app will be made available for download, but is not available yet. More information and instructions forthcoming.
If you encounter any technical issues, please reach out the DPS Tech Helpline at: 202-442-5885
Step 1: Download AP Testing App - Complete ASAP
All students taking digital exams must download the AP Testing App to their computer. Please follow these instructions below:
As a reminder: NO CHROMEBOOKS, PHONES, TABLETS, are allowed.
**After downloading and installing the app, please log in to the app with your College Board username and password to complete the installation process.
If you encounter any technical issues, please reach out the DPS Tech Helpline at: 202-442-5885
PC/Windows App Download: https://download.app.collegeboard.org/downloads/digital-ap-exams-setup-0.9.0.exe
PC/Windows Installation Instructions
1. Find Your Download. Open your Downloads folder and double-click on digital-ap-exams.exe. This will create a shortcut to the app on your desktop.
2. Open the App from your desktop, double-click the shortcut (the Acorn icon) to open the app
3. Confirm if you see a message asking if you’re sure you want to open the app, click Open
4. When the app opens, log in with your College Board username and password
5. Success! The app is successfully installed on your device. You can close this window.
Mac App Download: https://download.app.collegeboard.org/downloads/2021%20Digital%20AP%20Exams-0.9.0.dmg
Mac Installation Instructions
1. Find Your Download. Open your Downloads folder and double-click on digital-ap-exams.dmg.
2. Drag the Acorn icon into the Applications folder
3. In your Applications folder, double-click the Acorn icon to open the app
4. Confirm if you see a message asking if you’re sure you want to open the app, click Open
5. When the app opens, log in with your College Board username and password
6. Success! The app is successfully installed on your device. You can close this window.
You can also find the downloading instructions in the AP Digital Testing Guide (https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-digital-testing-guide.pdf) on pages 62-65.
Step 2: Practice Digital Exam Questions – Complete ASAP
It is highly encouraged that you begin to practice exam questions within the app to familiarize yourself with the platform. Please review pages 66-68 in the AP Digital Testing Guide (https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-digital-testing-guide.pdf) for more information about how to access practice exam questions.
Step 3: Exam Set Up – Required 1-3 Days PRIOR to Exam Date
All students must complete the Exam Set Up 1-3 days prior to each exam. Please review the schedule below and make calendar notifications 1-3 days prior to any and all exams you will take to ensure you complete this necessary step. Students who do not complete this step 1-3 days prior to the test, will not be able to take the exam.
· Exam setup opens 3 calendar days before the exam date and must be completed no later than the day before the exam. (ex. AP World History exam is on May 20th. The exam set up should occur between May 17th-19th. Set a calendar reminder for May 17th to complete this step.)
· Exam setup must be done on the computer the student will use for testing
· Once setup is completed, the computer can’t be shared with another student until the exam is over and responses have been submitted to the AP Program
You can also find the exam set up instructions in the AP Digital Testing Guide (https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-digital-testing-guide.pdf) on pages 69-72.
Step 4: Check In to Exam – 30 Minutes Prior to Exam
On exam day, all students must check in 30 minutes before the official start time of the exam—at 11:30 a.m. EDT for 12 p.m. exams and 3:30 p.m. EDT for 4 p.m. exams—to complete final pre-exam checks.
· Students can only check in on their testing computer, and can’t check in on multiple devices
· If students don’t start check-in before the start time of the exam, they won’t be allowed to test and will have to request a makeup exam
Once you have completed check-in, students will see a timer at the top of their screen counting down the time remaining until the start time of the exam. The exam will begin automatically.
You can also find the check in instructions and information in the AP Digital Testing Guide (https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-digital-testing-guide.pdf) on page 73.
Accommodations on Digital AP Exams
All student accommodations will be automatically loaded on to your digital AP exam and will be embedded within the app. It is integral that you sign in with your current College Board login information. If you have questions about your accommodations or need assistance, please email Ms. Hanley. You can read more about accommodations on digital AP exams in the Digital Guide (https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-digital-testing-guide.pdf), on page 128.
AP Exam Schedule
Please email Ms. Moore and Ms. Hanley if you have any questions or concerns or contact the DCPS Tech Helpline at 202-442-5885 for technical assistance.
Thank you,
Ms. Moore and Ms. Hanley