Teachers from Colonie Central High School share their perspective on the AP exams

By Samia Musleh

April 9 2025

As May Approaches, so do AP exams. The exam(s) students have been preparing for all year finally come into play. However, what are the insights of teachers on all of this? Various teachers of different subjects shared their perspective on the AP exams at Colonie Central High School. 

This year, like most years, students have the common issue of having their AP exams back to back. Many are faced with the question of which exam should they prioritize more or how should they divide their studying. That seems to be the concern of some AP teachers as well.  

Teachers Mr. Goldberg (AP Biology) and Mr. Ruane (AP Language and Composition) both shared how one of their concerns was the amount of AP exams their students have to take consecutively. Teachers are aware of the fact that many of their students don’t just have their exam to worry about. 

“I wasn’t the best test-taker myself…I know that there's students taking multiple exams…” Mr. Ruane shared.

Although teachers have expressed their concerns regarding the AP exams, many don’t believe they are as anxious as their students as the day of the exam is approaching. 

“I do not feel anxious…I feel…concerned that the students are not preparing for it as well as they should and will not score as well as they should because every one of them has the ability to do very well…”  said Mr. Goldberg. 

Mr. Ruane also emphasized that he did his job as a teacher in preparing his students. The students themselves acquired the skills he taught, so that on test day he won't be anxious, only hopeful the students put those skills to use instead of going rogue.  

Although some teachers don’t feel anxious, it can be understandable that some do. Especially because some teachers like Mrs. Raso, the AP teacher for World History, spend two consecutive years preparing her students. 

“I try to put on a calm face in front of my students but I get more stressed out too. You really want the students to do well…the AP exams are purposefully challenging and that's a frustration,” said Mrs. Raso.

There is one thing that almost all AP teachers, at least in Colonie Central High School agree with and that is the dislike for the exams going digital. 

The College Board has decided to make a great shift this year to fit our modern world of technology and introduce digital exams. Some are hybrid and some have gone completely digital. 

“It’s stupid. I hate it. I hate every single bit of it. I think it’s awful…I think you should be able to mark up the paper.” Mr. Goldberg said. 

Despite the many concerns such as the battery or the distractions, he, like many teachers does believe it is adaptable for their students as chromebooks are used in almost every class here at Colonie Central High School. 

With a great shift on the horizon for the world of education and the challenges that come along with it for students, our educators feel remorse for their students. 

“The fact you are taking a challenging course and paying for this exam already tells me enough…I don’t care what you get on the exam…” Mr. Ruane said. 

As the exams are less than a month away, both teachers and students at Colonie are putting in their last push and preparing for the technological shift.