In India’s evolving education landscape, students increasingly consider Advanced Placement (AP) exams to strengthen university applications. With significant AP exam changes in 2025, including the shift to digital formats and updated scoring systems, understanding what lies ahead is more important than ever.
What are AP Exams, and why should students in India consider them?
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams are college-level assessments offered by the College Board AP programme. The College Board is a US-based non-profit organisation known for standardised tests such as the SAT. Primarily aimed at high school students, AP Exams allow learners to engage with rigorous, university-level curricula across various subjects—from sciences and mathematics to languages, history, and the arts.
Each AP subject corresponds to a specific AP course, though enrollment is not a prerequisite for the exam. AP Exams are conducted annually in May and are scored on a scale from one to five, with five representing the highest level of proficiency.
AP exams are not compulsory for international students, but they allow individuals to demonstrate mastery of college-level coursework in various subjects. Students enrolled in rigorous curricula such as the IBDP, A Levels, or the CBSE are already engaged in challenging academic programmes. Therefore, taking AP exams may not be necessary for them. However, here are some of the reasons why students should consider AP exams:
- Build university-level skills early: AP exams introduce students to advanced concepts and academic expectations typically found in first-year university courses. This helps sharpen critical thinking, problem-solving, and structured writing skills, which are vital for higher education success.
- Get a head start at university: Many universities, particularly in the US and Canada, grant credit or advanced placement for strong AP scores. This can allow students to skip introductory courses, move into higher-level classes sooner, and even graduate early, saving time and tuition.
- Strengthen university applications: Admissions officers at selective universities look for evidence of academic rigour. AP scores offer a globally recognised way to demonstrate subject expertise.
- Fill gaps in the academic profile: For students whose current school curriculum lacks certain subjects, APs can help meet subject expectations for competitive university courses. For instance, many US colleges recommend or require applicants to complete three to four years of laboratory science during high school. If an A Level student has not taken a science subject or has chosen courses like computer science or environmental science instead of traditional lab sciences such as physics, chemistry, or biology, taking an AP exam in a lab science can help demonstrate proficiency in that area.
- Credits and advanced placement: Strong AP scores can help students earn university credits or bypass introductory courses. While this is common at leading institutions in the US, Indian universities like Universal AI University, Manav Rachna University and Amity University (Noida) have also begun recognising AP exams for credit or advanced standing. This flexibility enables students to save time, reduce tuition costs and begin advanced coursework early.
AP exam changes in 2025: digital, hybrid, and new formats
From May 2025, the AP exam will transition from traditional paper-based formats to 28 fully digital exams and 12 hybrid tests. All exam sections of the fully digital AP exams will be completed online within the Bluebook™ application. Multiple-choice sections will be completed digitally for the hybrid AP exams, while free-response questions will be viewed on-screen but written in paper booklets.
| Subjects for fully digital AP exams | Subjects for the hybrid AP exams |
| AP African American Studies (U.S. schools only) | AP Biology |
| AP Art History | AP Calculus AB |
| AP Comparative Government and Politics | AP Calculus BC |
| AP Computer Science A | AP Chemistry |
| AP Computer Science Principles | AP Macroeconomics |
| AP English Language and Composition | AP Microeconomics |
| AP Environmental Science | AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based |
| AP European History | AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based |
| AP Human Geography | AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism |
| AP Latin | AP Physics C: Mechanics |
| AP Psychology | AP Precalculus |
| AP Seminar | |
| AP United States Government and Politics | |
| AP United States History | |
| AP World History: Modern |
2) Revisions to AP Physics courses
For the May 2025 AP exam, the AP Physics curriculum has been revised to reflect introductory college-level coursework better and clarify the core content and skills students are expected to master. Key changes include:
- AP Physics 1: A new unit on Fluids has been added, bringing the total to eight units.
- AP Physics 2: The Waves and Optics unit has been split into two separate units—Geometric Optics and Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics.
- AP Physics C (Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism): Both courses now have revised structures, including changes to the number and format of multiple-choice and free-response questions and increased exam duration.
3) Adjustments to the scoring methodology
In 2024, the College Board implemented a new scoring model called Evidence-Based Standard Setting (EBSS), which aims to align AP scoring more closely with present-day expectations of college-level work. This new way of deciding scores is based on how well they’ve mastered the subject. Instead of just using past scoring patterns, the College Board looks at real data, compares AP work to actual college courses, and uses expert input to set fair and accurate score cut-offs for each exam.
This change has already impacted score distributions and is expected to influence AP scores in 2025 as well. For instance, Education Week notes that in 2024, 72 percent of students who took the AP US History exam earned scores of 3 or higher, up from 48.3 percent in 2022.
AP exam policies and registration in India: A 2025 guide
As more Indian students explore Advanced Placement (AP) exams to strengthen their university applications, understanding the logistics around registration, eligibility, and exam-day procedures is crucial.
1) Who is eligible for AP exams in India?
AP exams are open to all eligible students in India, regardless of their curriculum or school board. There are no formal prerequisites for enrolling in an AP exam, and students are free to choose subjects they feel confident in or wish to explore further, even if their school doesn’t offer AP courses. While most students take AP exams in Class 10, 11, or 12, younger students who demonstrate academic readiness are also eligible. Students must be in grade 8 or higher to register for this exam. Given that AP courses reflect university-level rigour, students are encouraged to select subjects that align with their current strengths and long-term educational plans.
2) How do students register for AP exams?
In India, AP registration and exams are administered through authorised test centres. For those wondering how to register for AP exams in India, it’s essential to know that students cannot register through their schools unless the school is an approved AP test centre. AP registration and exams are administered through authorised test centres. Students cannot register through their schools unless the school itself is an approved AP test centre. Registration usually occurs between September and March. Students who haven’t registered for the SAT or PSAT must create a College Board account to register and select their preferred subjects and test centres. Each AP exam has an associated fee, and payment is made directly through the test centre.
3) What are the test-day requirements?
On the exam day, students must carry valid photo identification (such as a passport or Aadhar card) and their AP Admission Ticket. If required, they should also bring approved calculators for specific exams, such as AP Calculus or AP Physics.
4) Can students retake the AP exam?
Students may retake an AP exam in a future year to improve their scores. However, they cannot sit for the same exam more than once in a single exam administration year.
How to choose the right AP Exams for university applications
Choosing the right AP exams for university applications depends on your academic strengths, intended course of study, and the requirements of your target universities. While AP exams are not mandatory, they can significantly enhance your application profile when selected thoughtfully.
1) Consider your academic interests and strengths.
Start by identifying subjects you excel in or enjoy. AP exams are rigorous and mirror college-level standards, so aligning your choices with your academic strengths improves your chances of earning a high score. For example, if you enjoy writing and analysis, AP English Literature or AP Psychology might be good fits.
2) Align AP subjects with your intended college major.
If you already know what you want to study at university, choose AP subjects that demonstrate readiness in that field. Aspiring engineers could consider AP Calculus and AP Physics, while future economists may benefit from AP Microeconomics and AP Statistics.
3) Check university requirements or preferences.
Leading universities in the US, UK, and Canada often seek specific subject combinations. Some US colleges recommend completing three to four years of laboratory science in high school. In such cases, students taking non-traditional science subjects (like environmental science or computer science) can use AP science exams to fill gaps. Similarly, for competitive UK programmes like medicine or engineering, demonstrating proficiency through exams such as AP Chemistry or AP Biology may strengthen your profile, especially if you’re applying from a non-UK curriculum.
4) Use APs to add rigour or fill curriculum gaps
Students from CBSE, ICSE, A Levels, or other non-AP curricula can use AP exams to add academic rigour or cover subjects unavailable at school. This is particularly useful for demonstrating a well-rounded academic profile or exploring interdisciplinary interests.
5) Don’t overdo it. Be strategic
Taking too many AP exams can backfire if it affects your performance. Focus on quality over quantity. Universities prefer depth of understanding and consistency over a long list of subjects with average scores.
Frequently Asked Questions about AP Exams 2025
1) What are the significant AP exam changes in 2025?
From May 2025, most AP exams will be administered digitally through the Bluebook™ app. Some subjects will follow a hybrid format with digital multiple-choice and paper-based free-response sections.
2) Who can take AP exams in India?
Any student in India from Grade 8 onwards can take AP exams, regardless of their school board or curriculum.
3) How can I register for AP exams in India?
You can register between September and March through authorised AP test centres. Create a College Board account and select your subjects and test centre.
4) Do Indian students need to take AP exams for US universities?
AP exams are not mandatory, but can boost your application by demonstrating academic rigour and subject proficiency.
5) What are good AP subjects for engineering or science?
AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry are strong choices for students planning to study engineering or science.
Ultimately, it’s not about how many AP exams a student takes. It’s about whether those choices move them closer to who they want to be and where they want to go. Need help deciding which AP exams to take? Speak to our advisors today. Meanwhile, read our blogs: TMUA 2025: The Ultimate Guide To Acing This UK University Maths Entrance Exam and The New Digital SAT – What Has Changed, What Hasn’t and How to Prepare.
