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:

• The academic paper
  • 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 Oral Defense
  • 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!

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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.

📰 Check out these study guides:

• • 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.

📰 Check out these study guides:

• • 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.   

📰 Check out these study guides:

• • 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:

• Perfect Memes for AP Research

• How to Get a 5 in AP Research