AP Research
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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.
Updates to AP Research Performance Task
Given the implications of ChatGPT and other similar generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools on the AP Research performance task components, we’ve updated the guidance regarding the use of these tools. These guidelines require your teacher to attest to the authenticity of your work in order for you to receive a score on the associated performance task. Review the AP Research Course and Exam Description for the full policy and details.
Assessment Date
Wed, Apr 30, 2025
11:59 PM ET
AP Research Performance Task Due Date
Submit your AP Research performance task as final in the AP Digital Portfolio by this date.
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:
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, ap daily videos.
Once you join your AP class section online, you’ll be able to access AP Daily videos in AP Classroom. AP Daily videos cover every proficiency and skill outlined in the AP Research Course and Exam Description. Sign in to access them.
Performance Task Samples and Scoring Information
Go to AP Central to review student samples of the academic paper, as well as scoring information for both performance tasks, from past years.
AP Research Course and Exam Description
This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the assessment and the AP Program in general.
Services for Students with Disabilities
Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for accommodations for the through-course assessment and the end-of-course exam. If you’re using assistive technology and need help accessing the PDFs in this section in another format, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 212-713-8333 or by email at [email protected] . For information about taking AP Exams, or other College Board assessments, with accommodations, visit the Services for Students with Disabilities website.
Guidance for Artificial Intelligence Tools and Other Services
Learn more about the AP Program’s policy on generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT).
Credit and Placement
Search AP Credit Policies
Find colleges that grant credit and/or placement for AP Exam scores in this and other AP courses.
Additional Information
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2024 AP Research Exam Guide
6 min read • june 18, 2024
Your 2024 Guide to AP Research Exam
We know that studying for your AP exams can be stressful, but Fiveable has your back! We created a study plan to help you crush your AP Research exam. This guide will continue to update with information about the 2024 exams, as well as helpful resources to help you do your best on test day. Unlock Cram Mode for access to our cram events—students who have successfully passed their AP exams will answer your questions and guide your last-minute studying LIVE! And don't miss out on unlimited access to our database of thousands of practice questions.
Format of the 2024 AP Research Performance Task
There is no written exam for AP Research, instead you will be assessed based on performance tasks for your yearlong project. The two portions of the test are as follows:
- This should be around 4,000 - 5,000 words long , and accounts for 75% of your score
- You will be scored based on the content, structure, format, and conclusion of your paper and your ability to accurately cite your sources
- This portion of the exam must be turned in to the AP Digital Portfolio and will be scored by the College Board
- The presentation and defense will take 15-20 minutes and accounts for 25% of your score
- You will present your research question , research methodology , and findings and answer a set of questions
- This portion will be scored by your AP research teacher using a scoring rubric provided by the AP Program. Teachers have also taken part in mandatory training, so they can properly score this portion of the exam
2024 Scoring Rubric for AP Research
You can find the scoring guidelines for the performance task here , courtesy of the College Board.
Check out our study plan below to find resources and tools to prepare for your AP Research Performance Task.
When Do I Have to Submit and How Do I Submit My Performance Task?
The Academic Paper must be submitted no later than April 30, 2024 (11:59 p.m. ET). Your teacher will determine when oral presentations take place. There may be more updates regarding the AP Research course, so create a Fiveable account to get updates on the latest 2024 exam news.
AP Research students need to submit performance tasks as final and their presentations to be scored by their AP Research teachers by April 30, 2024 (11:59 p.m. ET)
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How Should I Prepare for the Performance Task?
- First, download the AP Research Cheatsheet PDF - a single sheet that covers tips for the academic paper, presentation, and oral defense. Take note of things you can improve!
- We've put together the study plan found below to help you prepare between now and May. This will cover all of the big ideas and prepare you for the performance task. Pay special attention to the units that you need the most improvement in.
- Study, practice, and review for test day with other students during our live cram sessions via Cram Mode . Cram live streams will teach, review, and practice important topics from AP courses, college admission tests, and college admission topics. These streams are hosted by experienced students who know what you need to succeed.
Pre-Work: Set Up Your Study Environment
Before you begin studying, take some time to get organized.
🖥 Create a study space.
Make sure you have a designated place at home to study. Somewhere you can keep all of your materials, where you can focus on learning, and where you are comfortable. Spend some time prepping the space with everything you need and you can even let others in the family know that this is your study space.
📚 Organize your study materials.
Get your notebook, textbook, prep books, or whatever other physical materials you have. Also, create a space for you to keep track of review. Start a new section in your notebook to take notes or start a Google Doc to keep track of your notes. Get yourself set up!
📅 Plan designated times for studying.
The hardest part about studying from home is sticking to a routine. Decide on one hour every day that you can dedicate to studying. This can be any time of the day, whatever works best for you. Set a timer on your phone for that time and really try to stick to it. The routine will help you stay on track.
🏆 Decide on an accountability plan.
How will you hold yourself accountable to this study plan? You may or may not have a teacher or rules set up to help you stay on track, so you need to set some for yourself. First, set your goal. This could be studying for x number of hours or getting through a unit. Then, create a reward for yourself. If you reach your goal, then x. This will help stay focused!
2024 AP Research Study Plan
❓ big idea 1: question and explore.
As part of the AP Research curriculum you’ll learn about inquiry and investigation , one of the first steps to doing research. Under this big idea, you’ll practice: identifying a problem/issue, organizing and locating information, evaluating the information sources that you will need, and looking at a problem/issue from a variety of perspectives.
📰 Check out these study guides:
- Big Idea 1 Overview: Question and Explore
- 1.1 Identifying a problem or issue and developing a question about it
- 1.2 Finding and organizing the information you need to answer the question
- 1.3 Evaluating the sources of information you use
- 1.4 Looking at the problem or issue from different perspectives
💭 Big Idea 2: Understand and Analyze
While doing your research you’ll also learn how to read, comprehend, and explain a certain perspective or argument. You'll work on reading critically, explaining and analyzing an argument, evaluating evidence , and accessing conclusions.
- Big Idea 2 Overview: Understand and Analyze
- 2.1 Reading critically for a purpose
- 2.2 Explaining and analyzing the line of reasoning in an argument
- 2.3 Evaluating the evidence an author uses to support their argument
- 2.4 Assessing potential resolutions, conclusions, or solutions raised by an argument
👥 Big Idea 3: Evaluate Multiple Perspectives
Learning to compare and contrast multiple perspectives on an idea or issue is a key part of doing research. To practice this skill, you’ll learn how to identify, compare, and interpret different perspectives, and evaluate the limitations of certain arguments.
- Big Idea 3 Overview: Evaluate Multiple Perspectives
- 3.1 Identifying, comparing, and interpreting different perspectives on, or arguments about, an issue
- 3.2 Evaluating objections, implications, and limitations of different perspectives or arguments 📝 Big Idea 4: Synthesize Ideas
In order to form your conclusion and build your argument, you’ll work to take your information and analyze and evaluate it. You’ll practice creating a well-formed argument, use data and information from various sources, link evidence to claims, and offer resolutions and solutions based on your evidence.
📰 Check out these articles:
- Big Idea 4 Overview: Synthesize Ideas
- 4.1 Formulating a well-reasoned argument
- 4.2 Using data and information from various sources to develop and support an argument
- 4.3 Linking evidence to claims
- 4.4 Offering resolutions, conclusions, or solutions based on evidence
📊 Big Idea 5: Team, Transform, and Transmit
Research revolves around communication, so you’ll learn best practices for point of view and how to communicate your ideas to an audience. You’ll work on planning and presenting an argument to an audience depending on the context and purpose. You’ll also work on communicating information using appropriate mediums and using techniques to engage your audience.
- Big Idea 5 Overview: Team, Transform, and Transmit
- 5.1 Planning, producing, and revising a research paper while considering audience, context, and purpose
- 5.2 Presenting an argument for context, purpose, and/or audience
- 5.3 Reflecting on one's own and others' writing, thinking, and creative processes 📰 While you’re here also check out:
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Key Terms to Review ( 8 )
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IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Carries the focus or scope of a • Focuses a topic of inquiry with topic of inquiry through the clear and narrow parameters, method AND overall line of which are addressed through the reasoning, even though the focus method and the conclusion. or scope might still be narrowing. Situates a topic of inquiry within • Explicitly connects a topic ...
Assessment Overview. In AP Research, students are assessed on the academic paper and presentation and oral defense of research. The academic paper is 4,000-5,000 words, and the presentation and defense take approximately 15-20 minutes. Encourage your students to visit the AP Research student page for assessment information and practice.
The paper identifies the topic, purpose, and focus of the inquiry and explains why further investigation of the topic is needed. 4 . The paper articulates the significance of the topic of inquiry by connecting it to the larger discipline, field, and/or scholarly community. It defines its scope by specifying the parameters, limits, or
The paper describes in detail the approach, method, or process. 5 The paper provides a logical rationale by explaining the alignment between the chosen approach, method, or process and the research question/project goal. 7 . 5 Establish Argument . The paper presents an argument, conclusion or understanding, but it is simplistic or inconsistent,
Report on Existing Knowledge. Score of 2. Report on Existing Knowledge with Simplistic Use of a Research Method. Score of 3. Ineffectual Argument for a New Understanding. Score of 4. Well-Supported, Articulate Argument Conveying a New Understanding. Score of 5. Rich Analysis of a New Understanding Addressing a Gap in the Research Base.
AP Research Performance Task Sample and Scoring Information Archive. Download sample Academic Papers along with scoring guidelines and scoring distributions. If you are using assistive technology and need help accessing these PDFs in another format, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 212-713-8333 or by email at ssd@info ...
AP® RESEARCH 2017 SCORING GUIDELINES Performance Task Rubric: Academic Paper. NOTE: To receive the highest performance level presumes that the student also achieved the preceding performance levels in that row. ADDITIONAL SCORES: In addition to the scores represented on the rubric, readers can also assign scores of 0 (zero).
AP Research Academic Paper 2018 Rubric v1.0. The response… Score of 1 Score of 2 Score of 3 Score of 4 Score of 5 . Report on Existing Knowledge Report on Existing Knowledge with Simplistic Use of a Research Method Ineffectual Argument for a New Understanding Well-Supported, Articulate Conveying a New Understanding
If you're using assistive technology and need help accessing the PDFs in this section in another format, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 212-713-8333 or by email at [email protected]. For information about taking AP Exams, or other College Board assessments, with accommodations, visit the Services for Students with ...
Scoring Guidelines - AP Central
Example 1 - Research Paper Rubric
2018 AP Research Academic Paper Rubric v1.0 The response… Score of 1 Score Report on Existing Knowledge Well of 2 Report on Existing Knowledge with Simplistic Use of a Research Method Score of 3 Ineffectual Argument for a New Understanding f 4-Supported, Articulate Argument Conveying a New Understanding f 5 Rich Analysis of a New Understanding
Figure 1: Research Paper Rubric EXPERT PROFICIENT APPRENTICE NOVICE INTEGRATION OF KNOWLEDGE the writer's own insights. The paper demonstrates that the author fully understands and has applied concepts learned in the course. Concepts are integrated into The writer provides concluding remarks that show analysis and synthesis of ideas.
AP Seminar Rubric 2016-17: Performance Task 1 . Component 1 of 2: Individual Research Report (continued) Performance Levels . Row Content Area/ Proiciency . Low . Medium High Points (Max) 5 . Apply Conventions The report includes many errors in attribution and citation OR the bibliography is inconsistent in style and format and/or incomplete. 1
the paper. Paper contains a "roadmap" for the reader. There is a logical flow to the topics/arguments. Conclusion follows clearly from the arguments presented. Thesis is clear and ap-propriate. Thesis fairly well sup-ported. Paper is fairly well orga-nized. Conclusion follows from the rest of the paper. Thesis is fairly clear. Inconsistent ...
Describes a replicable research method, with questionable alignment to the purpose of the inquiry. Conveys a new understanding or conclusion, with an underdeveloped line of reasoning OR insufficient evidence. Competently communicates the student's ideas, although there may be some errors in grammar, discipline-specific style, and organization.
This portion will be scored by your AP research teacher using a scoring rubric provided by the AP Program. Teachers have also taken part in mandatory training, so they can properly score this portion of the exam ... 5.1 Planning, producing, and revising a research paper while considering audience, context, and purpose; 5.2 Presenting an ...
Rubric for an Analytic Response Paper to a Research Article. Comprehension in-text: an effect of close and careful reading and reflection. Frame questions about the text that suggest further investigations and study. Describe reader reflections on the challenges and understanding provided by the text.
A score of 0 is assigned to a single row of the rubric when the response displays a below-minimum level of quality as identified in that row of the rubric. For rows 1 to 4, if there is no evidence of any research (i.e. it is all opinion and there is nothing in the bibliography, no citation or attributed phrases in 0 should be assigned.
The Individual Research Report task instructions stipulate a word count of no more than 1200 words. At times, responses might exceed this limit. Students are allowed a 10% cushion. You should score these papers by discounting the words that are over 10% (or 1320 words).
Marking rubric for research and presentation - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. Rubric for research paper
AP Research Academic Paper. 2023. c PaperScoring Gui. elines2023 College Board. College Board, Advanced Placement, AP, AP Central, and the acorn logo are registered t. ademarks of College Board. AP Capstone is a tradem. rk owned by College Board. Visit College Board on. AP Central is the oficial online home for the AP Program: apcentral ...