As students settle into their schedules for the 2024-25 school year, the standardized tests they prepare to take are also undergoing changes.
In late July the College Board announced 28 of its AP exams will adopt a new online format. These adjustments include subjects such as AP Computer Science Principles, AP Seminar and AP U.S. History.
Assistant Principal Latta Johnston is the AP coordinator at HHS. He is responsible for preparing these exams for students and managing AP logistics. Previously, his job also included unpacking and reshipping thousands of paper testing materials from the College Board.
“Changing [the AP format] makes it easier because we don’t have to mail back the test,” Johnston said. “But it will be a new challenge because we’ve not given that many AP tests online before.”
Homewood is administering approximately 1,400 Advanced Placement exams and offering 27 AP courses during the 2024-2025 school year.
To mitigate student concerns about testing differently, emphasis is being placed on practicing with Bluebook, the digital AP exam host.
Christie Morman teaches AP Psychology. This year, she is adjusting her teaching style to meet new College Board curricula and address digital formatting woes.
“Part of the learning and test taking strategy is we learn to cross out, circle, highlight to answer the question the best,” Morman said. “You can do that online, but you have to know how to use the tools on there to be able to do that.”
Although initially hesitant to embrace the reforms, Morman is now focused on preparing her students to best navigate online tools. Through various study sessions and practice tests, she is confident they will adjust well to the digital test.
The ACT corporation also unveiled its modifications to their exam in July.
Students who wish to take the ACT exam outside of school now have the option to take the test online, without a science portion.
The core test will be shortened from three hours to two, with 44 questions removed to remedy test fatigue. Math portions will also be condensed from four answers to five.
“I like students being able to cater what they need for their goals post-graduation are,” said Technology Specialist Kristin Clark. “You are still getting a composite score that gives your math and English…so colleges still have a good picture of where you are academically without the science portion.”
For the required state-wide ACT in March, the state of Alabama will have to decide whether to require the science and writing portions.
The ACT with Writing will be administered to juniors March 11 2025 at HHS.
