Morgan Jones | Web Editor-in-Chief

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Senior prom, March Madness, Coachella: the list goes on of events doomed to the grave by the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19; however, in a recent statement released by College Board, the show must go on for 2020 AP Exams.

From past years, the exams will look different for this year’s test-takers: the tests are now 45 minutes long and consist of just one, or two, free-response questions, a difference from the usual three-hour long test that has traditionally included a multiple-choice section.

Senior Jalynn Lai said that the decision to take exams online was for the best.

“There’s no telling when the world will reopen, and with proms and graduations canceled, it’s clear that the 2019-2020 school year is ending at home,” Lai said. “AP Exams can’t be postponed another year or canceled altogether, especially considering they’re quite expensive, not to mention kids have been studying for months.”

Junior Austin Kohn said that he fears the new online format of the exams may promote widespread cheating.

“I think that online AP Exams will only encourage the cheating culture further as now students can do minimal preparation for these tests and still score well,” Kohn said.

Kohn isn’t alone – junior Skylar Jakresky said that online tests are a ‘waste of time.’

“It’s obvious students are going to cheat, scores could easily mean nothing and not be deserved by the [student],” Jakresky said.

However, the concerns of Kohn and Jakresky are already highly accounted for by College Board.

“We’ll take the necessary steps to protect the integrity of each exam administration, as we do every year,” the non-profit organization said in a statement. “We’re confident that 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.”

As far as testing goes, College Board has not elaborated on what the aforementioned protocols may look like.

For an updated exam schedule and class-specific information, click here.

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2020 AP Exams Overview:

• Testing will be at the same time and day worldwide from May 11 to 22, with makeup sessions offered from June 1 to 5.
• Exams will be given a time-limit of 45 minutes and will consist of one or two free-response questions. There will be no multiple-choice section for 2020 AP Exams.
• Students are able to take the exams on any technological device, including computers, smartphones, or tablets. To request technology to take AP Exams, click here.