College Board Announces Key AP Program Updates for the 2026–27 School Year
2026-06-12
College Board has announced several important updates to the Advanced Placement (AP) Program for the 2026–27 school year. The changes include the introduction of new AP courses and the continued expansion of digital AP Exams.
New AP Courses Launching
Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, the following courses will be introduced as part of the AP Career Kickstart™ program:
- AP Business with Personal Finance
- AP Cybersecurity
AP World Languages and Cultures Transition to Fully Digital Exams
Starting in May 2027, the following AP World Languages and Cultures exams will be delivered as fully digital AP Exams through the Bluebook digital testing application:
- AP Chinese Language and Culture
- AP French Language and Culture
- AP German Language and Culture
- AP Italian Language and Culture
- AP Japanese Language and Culture
- AP Spanish Language and Culture
Students will complete both multiple-choice and free-response questions in Bluebook, with all responses automatically submitted at the end of the exam.
The speaking section will also be administered through Bluebook. Students will listen to audio prompts and record their responses directly within the application. A wired headset with a microphone will be required for testing.
In addition, CD players, language labs, handheld digital recorders, the Digital Audio Capture (DAC) app, and the DAS portal will no longer be used.
AP Music Theory to Adopt a Hybrid Digital Format
Beginning in May 2027, AP Music Theory will be administered as a hybrid digital AP Exam.
Students will complete multiple-choice questions in Bluebook, while free-response questions will be answered in paper exam booklets. The sight-singing component will be recorded and submitted through Bluebook.
A wired headset will be required, and additional equipment information will be provided at a later date.
AP Spanish Literature and Culture Goes Fully Digital
Starting in May 2027, AP Spanish Literature and Culture will transition to a fully digital AP Exam.
Students will complete all exam sections in Bluebook, including audio-based components. As a result, CD players will no longer be required.
AP Statistics Becomes Fully Digital
Beginning in May 2027, the AP Statistics Exam will be delivered as a fully digital AP Exam through Bluebook.
The exam will no longer use a hybrid format or require paper free-response booklets. Students will complete the entire assessment digitally.
Test Administration Updates
As with all digital AP Exams, AP Coordinators and proctors will use the Test Day Toolkit to prepare for and administer exams.
College Board will provide additional information regarding headset requirements and testing procedures in future updates. Students, educators, and AP Coordinators are encouraged to monitor official announcements for the latest information.