While the College Board website is experiencing technical difficulties, such as the website not opening or lagging, some teachers and students have mixed feelings about potential technical issues with the Advanced Placement (AP) testing.

Testing Coordinator Maria Hedrick had to address technical issues during the March ACT test because a district firewall prevented students from taking the test. 

“It was more annoying than anything else,” Hedrick said. “After we found out it would take a while to fix, we just went ahead and scrapped the whole thing for another day.”

The AP exams are being administered through a different software program than the ACT: Bluebook.

“It’s the same platform that we use for the SAT and PSAT,” Hedrick said. “We’re just going to launch Bluebook and make sure that it works; so far we haven’t had any issues.”

AP Calculus teacher Ann Nery has already introduced her students to the platform to prepare her students for their tests on Monday, May 12.

“Right now I’m teaching my kids through AP Classroom, which is internet-based,” Nery said. “I’m also giving them practice tests on Bluebook to help them prepare for the exam.”

However, Nery has experienced technical difficulties with the platform.

“Last week we had one day where there was an internet outage during fifth period, so we all got kicked out of AP Classroom. I lost the day with them because of that,” Nery said. “That was a concern, but the kids were okay with it.”

Nery said teachers from other schools have also shared concerns.

“I’m a member of a Facebook group for AP Calculus teachers, and we all have the same concerns about what can happen, but I think hopefully College Board will figure everything out,” Nery said.

Sophomore Ivy McMullin is enrolled in three APs: AP Pre-Calculus, AP US History and AP Studio Art: Drawing.

“I’m not feeling particularly worried about the upcoming AP tests, we’ve been doing practice tests online and we’re familiar with the platform,” McMullin said.

Bluebook also has additional features that can be beneficial during tests, including a graphing calculator, a reference sheet and a line reader tool.

“I don’t mind Bluebook, I think it’s one of the better online testing platforms,” McMullin said. “It’s not too complicated, and it has all the necessary tools.”

Nery said she isn’t too concerned about the platform. 

“They’ll have everything figured out by the first week,” Nery said. “We most likely won’t deal with the same issues as the ACT, and it’ll run smoother.”

By Nikita Sinha