APFIVE AP Research Exam Info
Download PDFThere 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.
AP Research Performance Task Due Date
Submit your AP Research performance task as final in the AP Digital Portfolio by this date.
Exam Components
Academic Paper
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
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.
Skills You'll Learn
Conducting independent research
Analyzing sources and evidence
Applying context and perspective
Writing a college-level academic paper
Presenting research findings to an audience
Units
Unit 1 – Question and Explore
You’ll learn about the first step of doing research: inquiry and investigation.
You’ll practice:
- Identifying a problem or issue and developing a question about it
- Finding and organizing the information you need to answer the question
- Evaluating the sources of information you use
- Looking at the problem or issue from different perspectives
Unit 2 – Understand and Analyze
You’ll learn to read, comprehend, and explain a perspective or argument.
You’ll practice:
- Reading critically for a purpose
- Explaining and analyzing the line of reasoning of an argument
- Evaluating the evidence an author uses to support their argument
- Assessing potential resolutions, conclusions, or solutions raised by an argument
Unit 3 – Evaluate Multiple Perspectives
You’ll learn to compare and contrast different perspectives on an issue, idea, or problem so you can understand its complexity.
You’ll practice:
- Identifying, comparing, and interpreting different perspectives on, or arguments about, an issue
- Evaluating objections, implications, and limitations of different perspectives or arguments
Unit 4 – Synthesize Ideas
You’ll learn to take information you’ve gathered, analyzed, and evaluated and use it to form your own conclusions and build your own argument.
You’ll practice:
- Formulating a well-reasoned argument
- Using data and information from various sources to develop and support an argument
- Linking evidence to claims
- Offering resolutions, conclusions, or solutions based on evidence
Unit 5 – Team, Transform, and Transmit
You’ll learn peer review practices and how to communicate your ideas to an audience.
You’ll practice:
- Planning, producing, and presenting an argument while considering audience, context, and purpose
- Communicating information through appropriate media
- Using effective techniques to engage an audience