AP testing season, the time of the year when absences skyrocket, stress levels of high schoolers peak, and the r/APStudents subreddit fills with fake leaks. Every year, stories and rumors about testing mishaps start to proliferate across the AP student population. This year is no exception; with most exams switching to hybrid or fully digital tests, a whole new wave of crazy AP exam stories have circulated online.
In honor of the frustration students experienced with online tests this AP exam season, let’s take a look at some of the wildest things that happened during AP testing this year.
The Great AP Psychology Crash of 2025
On May 16, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. CST, students across the nation encountered an issue attempting to log into the College Board’s Bluebook testing application. This inability to log into the app prevented students from taking the exam, leading to confusion and stress among the student body. The College Board resolved the issue by 12:45 p.m. CST, but by then, most students had opted to attend the make-up exam on May 23.
Balloons and Fire Alarms During Utah AP Calculus Exam
During the AP Calculus exams on May 12, 2025, the fire alarm at Davis High School sounded, leading to the entire school being evacuated. For the 205 students taking the exam, their scores were declared invalid with just 30 minutes left of the test. Thankfully, the fire alarm was false, caused by a balloon that according to Chris Williams, a Davis School District spokesman, “interfered with the connection of a beam detector.”
The College Board told students that they could still turn their tests in, but only the completed parts would be scored. Alternatively, they could retake them on one of the two scheduled makeup days: May 22 or May 28. Unfortunately, May 22 happens to be the school’s graduation ceremony, and the 165 seniors who took the exam have to choose if they are willing to miss walking across the stage.
AP exams are stressful enough without the added chaos of unexpected mishaps. Yet every year, students find themselves in frustrating and unpredictable situations. Here’s hoping next year’s exams run a little smoother—for everyone’s sake.
