AP Research
Learn all about the course and exam. Already enrolled? Join your class in My AP.
Not a Student?
Go to AP Central for resources for teachers, administrators, and coordinators.
About the Assessment
There is no end-of-course written exam for AP Research. Instead, you’ll be assessed on performance tasks you complete that are based on your yearlong research project: an academic paper (which you’ll submit online for scoring through the AP Digital Portfolio), a presentation, and an oral defense of your research. These components all contribute to your final AP score on a scale of 1–5.
New for 2022-23: Guidance for Artificial Intelligence Tools and Other Services
Students are prohibited from using any and all Artificial Intelligence tools (e.g. ChatGPT or DALL-E) or essay writing services (e.g. Chegg or Course Hero) in any AP assessment work. Read more about our policy.
Assessment Date
-
MAY 1, 2023, 11:59 PM EDT
AP Research Performance Task Due Date
You must submit your final AP Research performance task via the AP Digital Portfolio and your teacher must have scored all presentations by this time.
Assessment Components
Academic Paper
75% of Score
The academic paper should be 4,000–5,000 words long. You’ll be evaluated on the content, structure, format, and conclusions of the paper as well as your ability to properly and accurately cite sources.
Presentation and Oral Defense
25% of Score
The culminating event of the AP Research course will be a presentation of your research question, research methodology, and findings, including an oral defense that addresses a set of questions about your research inquiry. The presentation and defense take 15–20 minutes. You will also be required to answer 3–4 questions from a panel of trained evaluators and your AP Research teacher.
- AP Research teachers use a scoring rubric designed by the AP Program.
- AP Research teachers also take part in mandatory training from the AP Program in how to score these components.
How We Score Your Work
Teacher Scored Components
Your in-class presentation and oral defense is scored by your AP Research teacher.
Here’s how we make sure that scoring by AP Research teachers is standardized:
- AP Research teachers use a scoring rubric designed by the AP Program.
- AP Research teachers also take part in mandatory training from the AP Program in how to score these components.
College Board Scored Components
After you submit your academic paper online through the AP Digital Portfolio, it is scored by trained, experienced educators called AP readers.
Assessment Essentials
Assessment Preparation
Search AP Credit Policies
Find colleges that grant credit and/or placement for AP Exam scores in this and other AP courses.