College Board Sued Over Flawed Online AP® Tests
Online AP exam glitches lead to lawsuit and student frustration
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the College Board transitioned Advanced Placement (AP®) testing to an online format. While this move was initially praised as a solution for continued academic assessment during school closures, it has now led to legal trouble.
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against the College Board, accusing the organization of negligence, discrimination, and failure to provide equal testing conditions during the online AP exams.
Watch: College Board Sued Over Flawed Online AP® Exams
In this video, we break down the details of the lawsuit filed against the College Board for technical failures during the online AP® exams. Learn how it impacted students, what the lawsuit alleges, and what it means for future testing. Watch now:
What Happened During the Online AP Exams?
In May 2020, over 4.6 million AP exams were administered online for the first time. Many students faced severe technical difficulties, including:
- Submission failures (essays and responses not being accepted)
- Website crashes and freezing
- Compatibility issues with browsers and devices
- Timeouts and ...
Students who were unable to submit their responses were told they had to retake the test, often months later. For many, this added unnecessary stress and disrupted their academic and college planning timelines.
Why the Lawsuit Was Filed
The lawsuit claims that:
- The College Board’s digital testing system was inadequately tested before rollout.
- Students with disabilities or limited access to reliable technology were unfairly disadvantaged.
- Some students were wrongly denied credit due to submission failures beyond their control.
The plaintiffs seek damages for affected students and a commitment from the College Board to implement more reliable and equitable testing solutions in the future.
How This Impacts Students
- College Credit in Jeopardy: Students who couldn’t submit answers lost the opportunity to earn college credit despite preparing for months.
- Increased Stress: Retake requirements disrupted summer plans and added emotional strain during an already stressful time.
- Equity Concerns: The incident highlighted a digital divide, where students from underserved communities lacked the resources to perform equally.
College Board’s Response
The College Board has stated that the majority of tests were submitted successfully, and emphasized that the shift to online testing was an emergency solution during a global crisis. However, critics argue that more rigorous planning and technical vetting should have taken place to protect students from being penalized for technical failures.
What Students Should Know
If you were affected by the 2020 online AP exam issues, here are a few steps you can take:
- Check eligibility for legal action: You may be able to join the class-action lawsuit if you were impacted.
- Document everything: Save screenshots, email threads, and submission receipts.
- Explore college alternatives: Some schools may allow alternative credit or placement methods—speak to an academic advisor or counselor.
Final Thoughts
The lawsuit against the College Board is a pivotal moment in the evolution of standardized testing. It raises important questions about access, equity, and accountability in digital learning environments. As the legal process unfolds, students and educators alike are watching closely, hopeful that future solutions will prioritize fairness and technological stability.
Stay updated with more AP and SAT news, resources, and prep strategies at SATVerse.org.
💬 We'd love to hear your thoughts! Please keep your comments respectful and on-topic. All comments are moderated to maintain a safe, positive space. Avoid using links or special characters to prevent spam detection. Thank you for being part of the SAT Verse community!