College Board releases coronavirus guidelines for AP testing

Mississippi public schools have been officially shut until April 17 as a result of the COVID-19 threat, prompting education leaders to issue new guidelines for some of the state and nation's top students.

With schools shut across the country, The College Board has released new guidelines and dates for advanced placement (AP) exams. The board, which oversees AP testing and college admissions, is promoting online resources for testers, and is working on an at-home testing option. More information is set to be released on the testing schedule on April 3.

The board also announced that there would be no traditionally-administered AP exams this year. This year's tests will also omit concepts generally taught in March and April. Two different testing dates will be offered. The streamlined exams will be designed to take students no more than an hour to complete and will be doable from a cell phone. Review sessions will also be made available online, but will not be mandatory for students. The exams will also be fit with anti-plagiarism software and other security measures. The College Board has scored work done at home for its AP computer science systems and AP capstone courses.

The College Board will also work with its partners to find solutions for students who do not have access to the technology. No proctors or additional workload will be required for students taking the streamlined exams.

More information can be found on The College Board's website and the Starkville-oktibbeha Consolidated School District website.