New Trends in AP ®: The Evolving Landscape of Advanced Placement
David Forster, M.Ed.
High School Social Studies Teacher & National Geographic Learning | Cengage Marketing Consultant
The Advanced Placement program has seen rapid growth in recent years. With increasing student participation (10% increase in tests taken over all courses in 2024), shifts in exam formats, and an influx of new AP teachers, the program landscape has gone through some significant changes. These shifts present both challenges and opportunities for students, educators, and school leaders.
What’s Changed? New Digital Multiple-Choice Exams
Starting in 2025, 28 AP exams will feature digital multiple-choice sections, with 16 exams going fully digital and 12 following a hybrid model. These exams will all be administered through Bluebook, a College Board platform that controls timing and submission. While this is a major change for the College Board, it remains to be seen how much of an impact, if any, it has on students taking the exams.
How will digital test-taking impact student performance? Will schools have the necessary technology to administer these exams effectively? The College Board has created several tools for students and teachers that are available through the AP Classroom website. This includes previews of each of the tests as well as full-length practice assessments.
A Focus on Skills
AP exams have shifted away from rote memorization toward practical application and critical thinking. These changes mirror a broader trend in education, focusing on real-world problem-solving and analytical skills as a means to assess student understanding and comprehension.
In the past few years, several courses, including AP World History, Government and Politics, and Physics, have changed formats to move away from pure memorization and emphasize conceptual understanding and evidence-based arguments. Additionally, the AP Capstone Program was introduced in 2014 on interdisciplinary learning and research rather than traditional exams.
The AP For All Movement
The number of students taking AP courses continues to grow. In 2024, over 3 million students took 5.7 million AP exams, reflecting the steady expansion of the program over time. To put this in perspective, around 75,000 students took an AP exam in the 1970s while 750,000 took an exam in 2000. By 2006, the number of AP students was well over a million. This growth aligns with the College Board’s “AP for All” movement, which encourages school districts to provide equitable access to advanced coursework and add more AP courses to their programs of study.
Over the past decade, AP participation among public high school students has increased from 31.5% in 2013 to 34.7% in 2023. Additionally, traditionally underrepresented groups of students, including African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans, have seen a significant jump in participation. The benefits are clear: students who take AP courses are more likely to succeed in college, and increasing access helps close opportunity gaps. But, with this growth comes the responsibility to support diverse learners with more resources and accessibility options.
Influx of New AP Teachers
A wave of new teachers has entered the AP landscape recently, partly due to increased enrollment and available programs, but also because of shifts in the education profession. A recent College Board survey of 17,000 high school teachers found that job satisfaction has declined, with a significant number of educators considering leaving the profession because of it.
As veteran AP educators retire or leave the profession, new teachers must quickly adapt to the program’s rigor. Professional development opportunities and high-quality instructional resources will be crucial to ensuring these educators are set up for success.
Rising AP Scores
Another major shift in the AP landscape is the increase in exam scores. The College Board has adjusted its scoring methodology for some of its courses, including popular ones such as AP US History and AP Government, resulting in higher pass rates for these exams. This shift has sparked debate on whether student content mastery has truly increased or if the changes are just inflating success rates. Either way, more students are earning college credit through AP courses than ever before.
How National Geographic Learning Helps AP Teachers Stay Ahead with Comprehensive Teacher Support
As the AP landscape continues to evolve, National Geographic Learning, part of Cengage, is committed to supporting educators and students with resources that align with these changes. Here’s how: National Geographic Learning materials include in-depth teacher notes, stimulating classroom activities, and differentiated instruction strategies to help educators effectively teach all student levels. The Teacher’s Editions and Teacher Resource Guides offer strategies tailored to various learning styles, ensuring every student is prepared for success.
Student Resources
Success on the AP exam requires preparation. National Geographic Learning, part of Cengage, “Fast Track to a 5” series provides review materials, practice questions, and test-taking strategies to help students maximize their performance. These resources are designed to reinforce key concepts and provide students with the boost of confidence they need for exam day.
Request Book Samples and Platform Trials
Take a closer look at our Advanced Placement (AP) and K–12 offerings with digital samples and platform trials that highlight the student experience, teacher tools, and curriculum alignment. Whether you’re exploring new curriculum options or enhancing existing programs, we’re here to help you make informed decisions that inspire student success. Learn more by requesting a sample or review access.
Exact Alignment to the AP Framework and Course Exam Descriptions
National Geographic Learning, part of Cengage, ensures that all content aligns precisely with the College Board’s AP Course and Exam Descriptions. We are constantly updating our resources, including five new editions released this year, to reflect the latest changes in AP curricula and assessment methods. This guarantees that educators have the most up-to-date resources available.
Conclusion
The AP program continues to evolve at a rapid pace. As these trends continue, educators and students will need high-quality, relevant, and up-to-date resources and support to navigate the shifting demands of AP coursework.
National Geographic Learning, part of Cengage, is committed to staying ahead of these trends while providing innovative, practical materials that empower both teachers and students. With the right tools and resources, educators can continue to inspire and challenge students in meaningful ways, ensuring that AP programs remain a powerful step toward future success.
More about the Author
David Forster is a veteran high school educator in Massachusetts with a passion for hands-on, project-based learning. He has taught a variety of Social Studies courses and recently expanded into EdTech marketing, where he helps connect educators with innovative learning tools. Through his work in product marketing, he has created teacher-focused content and resources to support meaningful classroom engagement.
Sources
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“AP Capstone DiplomaTM Program.” AP Capstone Diploma Program – AP Central | College Board, apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-capstone. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Carlton, Ph.D., Genevieve. “A History of AP Exams and Classes: Best Colleges.” BestColleges.Com, Best Colleges, 15 Aug. 2022, www.bestcolleges.com/blog/history-ap-exams-classes/.
My Ap Login – College Board, myap.collegeboard.org/login. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Najarro, Ileana. “SEE HOW AP Exam Scores Have Changed over Time.” Education Week, Education Week, 6 Aug. 2024, www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/see-how-ap-exam-scores-have-changed-over-time/2024/08.
Number of AP Exams per Student 2023, apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/number-of-ap-exams-per-student-2023.pdf. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
“Practice on Bluebook.” Practice – Bluebook for Students | College Board, bluebook.collegeboard.org/students/practice. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
“Student Advanced Placement Participation and Performance Increase over Last Ten Years.” Newsroom, newsroom.collegeboard.org/student-advanced-placement-participation-and-performance-increase-over-last-ten-years. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
“Thousands of Educators Convened at AP Annual Conference 2024.” Newsroom, newsroom.collegeboard.org/thousands-educators-convened-ap-annual-conference-2024. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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