Can College Board Detect Copy and Paste? Understanding Plagiarism and Academic Integrity in AP Exams

The College Board takes academic integrity very seriously, especially within the Advanced Placement (AP) program. This article explores how the College Board defines and detects plagiarism, particularly concerning copy-pasting, and the consequences students may face. It also addresses the use of generative AI tools and the importance of original work.

Defining Plagiarism in AP Computer Science Principles (CSP)

In AP Computer Science Principles (CSP), plagiarism is defined as using someone else's work without proper attribution. This encompasses various forms of content, including program code, media, data, information, or any evidence developed by another individual. Teachers play a crucial role in instructing students on the correct methods for using and citing external sources, emphasizing the repercussions of plagiarism. Furthermore, students are prohibited from incorporating practice performance tasks used during class into their final submissions.

How Students are Flagged for Plagiarism

A student's submission in AP Computer Science Principles is flagged for plagiarism when it exhibits a high degree of similarity to another student's submission or an external resource, such as those provided by endorsed providers or found on AP Central. While collaboration is permitted between partners during the development of the program code segments used in the Personalized Project Reference, the Program Video and the Personalized Project Reference must be completed individually, without any collaboration with a partner or anyone else. Written responses are also completed independently on test day.

Acceptable Use of Generative AI

Students are permitted to use Generative AI tools as supplementary resources for understanding coding principles, assisting in code development, and debugging. However, it is the student’s responsibility to review and understand any code co-written with AI tools, ensuring its functionality. Additionally, students must be prepared to explain their code in detail, as required on the end-of-course exam.

Notification and Options for Students Accused of Plagiarism

Students are encouraged to ensure their contact information is accurate before the end of the school year. Once notified of a potential plagiarism issue, students have several options, depending on the severity of the infraction. These options may include:

Voluntarily accepting a score of 0 on the performance task.
Voluntarily accepting cancellation of the entire CSP exam.
Requesting a reconsideration of the performance task score.

Students requesting a reconsideration must provide supporting documentation to refute the original determination. This documentation can include a letter of attestation from the student's teacher, confirming that:

The submitted work was not completed as part of practice.
The student did not receive any feedback from the teacher on the program's final submission.
To the teacher's knowledge, the programming project is not copied from another source.

Consequences of Plagiarism

Students found guilty of plagiarism on the performance task will receive a score of 0 on that task. This zero score will be factored into the overall exam score, which will then be sent to any designated score recipients. Students are allowed to retake the exam in the future, but they must submit a new performance task.

The Reconsideration Process

The reconsideration process typically takes approximately 4-6 weeks, though the exact duration can vary depending on the volume of requests and the complexity of the case. Students are encouraged to follow the established procedures for submitting a reconsideration request and to provide all relevant documentation to support their case. A reconsideration may result in either a grant or a denial of the request, which means the students' performance task will either receive a full score or be assigned a score of 0. The review board's decision is final.

Extensions for Gathering Documentation

If a student requires more time to gather supporting documentation for their reconsideration request, they should immediately inform their case manager, providing details regarding the extension request. The case manager has the discretion to approve or deny the request. Failure to provide documentation within the given timeframe may result in a score of 0 on the performance task.

Retaking the AP Exam

Students who receive a 0 on the performance task due to plagiarism are eligible to retake the AP Computer Science Principles Exam in the future. However, retaking the exam may necessitate repeating the entire course and completing a new performance task. It is crucial to understand the reason for the initial score of 0 and take appropriate steps to prevent recurrence.

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Maintaining Academic Integrity: Avoiding Plagiarism

To avoid unintentional plagiarism and demonstrate a commitment to academic honesty, students should:

Create their own original work and avoid copying.
Properly cite and reference all sources of information.
Take careful notes and track sources during research.
Paraphrase information and cite the source.
Understand the difference between common knowledge and information requiring citation.
Ensure the legitimacy and accuracy of all data, sources, and authors used.

AP Exam Terms and Conditions: What You Need to Know

The AP Exam Terms and Conditions are a legally binding contract between the student and the College Board. These terms outline important rules and policies that must be followed during the AP Exam. The terms and conditions cover a wide range of topics, including required and prohibited items, prohibited behaviors, score cancellation policies, and intellectual property rights.It is important for students to review the Terms and Conditions prior to test day to ensure that they are aware of any updates or changes. Failure to comply with the Terms and Conditions may result in score cancellation or other disciplinary measures.

Required Items for Paper and Pencil Testing

For paper and pencil testing, students are required to bring the following items:

2 sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers.
For AP Chinese and AP Japanese Language and Culture Exams: A school-owned and -controlled Chromebook, Mac computer, or Windows PC with the AP Chinese and AP Japanese exam application installed.

Required Items for Fully Digital Testing

For fully digital testing, students are required to bring the following items:

Your College Board login information to sign in to Bluebook.
A fully charged Mac or Windows device, iPad or Chromebook (“Testing Device”) that has sufficient battery charge to enable you to complete the AP Exam and that meets the requirements listed at bluebook.collegeboard.org/technology/devices/requirements.
A watch that does not have internet access, beep or make noise, or have an alarm.
Up to 2 approved calculators with the necessary capabilities if you are taking an AP Statistics Exam. Visit apstudents.org/courses to find the calculator policy for your subject. For a list of approved graphing calculators, visit apstudents.org/calculators. Note: For all exams that allow or require calculators, except AP Statistics, students can use the built-in Desmos graphing calculator through the Bluebook testing application. Note that for Calculus AB, Calculus BC, and Precalculus, Desmos will only be available in the calculator-required parts of the exam. These exams continue to have parts where no calculator is allowed.
A current government issued or school issued photo ID if you do not attend the school where you are taking the AP Exam.

Required Items for Hybrid Digital Testing

For hybrid digital testing, students are required to bring the following items:

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A fully charged Mac or Windows device, iPad or Chromebook (“Testing Device”) that has sufficient battery charge to enable you to complete the AP Exam and that meets the requirements listed at bluebook.collegeboard.org/technology/devices/requirements.
2 sharpened No. 2 pencils with erasers.
2 pens with black or dark blue ink.
A watch that does not have internet access, beep or make noise, or have an alarm.
Up to 2 approved calculators with the necessary capabilities if you are taking an AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics, AP Precalculus, or AP Statistics Exam. Visit apstudents.org/courses to find the calculator policy for your subject. For a list of approved graphing calculators, visit apstudents.org/calculators.Note: For all exams that allow or require calculators, except AP Statistics, students can use the built-in Desmos graphing calculator through the Bluebook testing application. Note that for Calculus AB, Calculus BC, and Precalculus, Desmos will only be available in the calculator-required parts of the exam. These exams continue to have parts where no calculator is allowed.
A ruler or straightedge only if you are taking an AP Physics Exam. Protractors are not allowed.
A current government issued or school issued photo ID if you do not attend the school where you are taking the AP Exam.

Prohibited Items

The following items are prohibited from the testing room:

Detachable privacy screens.
Portable listening or recording devices, including headphones or earbuds.
Separate timers of any type.
All stylus pens, Apple pens, smart pens, iPad pencils, and other electronic writing instruments. School-owned and school-controlled digital recording devices are allowed only for the AP French, AP German, AP Italian, and AP Spanish Language and Culture Exams, and the AP Music Theory Exam.
Books, reference guides, notes, compasses, protractors, mechanical pencils, pencils that are not No. 2, correction fluid, dictionaries, highlighters, or colored pencils.
Papers of any kind, except periodic table handouts for AP Chemistry (which will be provided to you by your School) and the Personalized Project Reference for AP Computer Science Principles Exams (which will be provided to you by your School). Scratch paper will be provided.
Watches that beep, make a noise, or have an alarm.
Computers or calculators that are not approved.
Reference guides, keyboard maps, or other typing instructions.
Ear plugs.
Food or drink.
Clipboards.
Weapons or firearms.
Head coverings worn for medical or religious reasons are permitted during testing provided they do not obstruct testing staffs’ ability to view the test taker’s eyes and ears. If it’s not possible for a student’s ears to be visible, check them to ensure the student isn’t wearing headphones or earbuds. Other head coverings (hats, brimmed caps, etc.) are not permitted while testing. Note that students may wear hooded shirts in the testing room, but their hoods must stay down during testing.

Digital Testing: Additional Rules

For digital testing, the AP Exam is taken at a test center and administered on the Bluebook application (“Application”). The test center is typically the school that the student attends. Students are required to download the Application onto their Testing Device. If the Testing Device is managed by the school, a school administrator may have already installed the Application.

When opening the Application, students will be required to agree to the Privacy Policy and Use of This App. Once in the testing room, students must follow the instructions provided in the Application and by their AP Exam proctor. They will be required to complete AP Exam check-in on their Testing Device, for which they will first need to connect to the test center’s Wi-Fi network and confirm their agreement to the Terms and Conditions.

Students will not be able to keep working on a question after time expires. They will be able to go backward within a section or part, however they will not be able to go backward to a previous section or part.

Students cannot use any other program or application while the Application is running, and they cannot paste work into the Application from another program or application. Answers must be entered directly into the Application, as only answers in the Application can be submitted for scoring. Answer submission may not occur through any other means.

Answer submission happens automatically if the Testing Device is connected to the internet when the AP Exam ends. If answers were successfully submitted, a confirmation screen will appear. However, if the device is not connected to the internet when the AP Exam ends, students will need to connect to the internet during the submission window and follow the directions in the Application to submit their answers.

College Board will score all AP Exams that have been started, even if a submission is incomplete or a submission error occurs. Students should follow the provided submission instructions and submit during the submission window to ensure that all of their answers are scored.

If a student wishes to cancel their score, they may follow the instructions at apstudents.collegeboard.org/score-reporting-services/cancel-scores to submit their request. Note that the score must be canceled by June 15 if the student does not want their score to be sent to the college, university, or scholarship program indicated online through the Free Score Sends page at apstudents.collegeboard.org/sending-scores/free-score-send.

Prohibited Behaviors

The College Board strictly prohibits certain behaviors during AP Exams. These prohibitions are designed to ensure fairness and prevent any form of cheating or academic dishonesty. Engaging in any of these prohibited behaviors can lead to severe consequences, including score cancellation and being banned from future College Board assessments.

Some of the key prohibited behaviors include:

Attempting to cheat or gain an unfair advantage: This encompasses any action taken to gain an advantage over other test-takers, such as using unauthorized materials, communicating with others during the exam, or attempting to access exam content before or after the designated testing period.
Improper access to the AP Exam: This refers to obtaining or attempting to obtain unauthorized access to the AP Exam, its content, or information related to the exam.
Working on the wrong section: Students are only allowed to work on a specific AP Exam or section during the timed testing period assigned to it. Working on any other AP Exam or section is strictly prohibited.
Accessing prohibited aids: This includes attempting to access any unauthorized materials or resources during the exam, such as prohibited formula sheets or scratch paper.
Using electronic devices: Accessing or attempting to access any phone or electronic equipment during testing or breaks is strictly prohibited, except as explicitly permitted by the AP Exam instructions.
Utilizing artificial intelligence tools: The use of artificial intelligence tools, including Generative Pre-trained Transformer tools (e.g., ChatGPT), is strictly prohibited during the AP Exam.
Leaving the testing area without permission: Students are not allowed to leave the testing room, building, or designated break area without explicit permission. Taking unapproved extended breaks is also prohibited.
Improper access to electronic devices: Any unauthorized access or attempted access to electronic devices during testing, except as permitted by the AP Exam instructions, is prohibited.
Subject-related information: Having subject-related information on clothing, shoes, body, or any object is not allowed during the AP Exam.
Unauthorized testing accommodations: Using testing accommodations that have not been approved by the College Board is prohibited.
Removing exam materials: Removing or attempting to remove any exam materials from the room, including scratch paper, is strictly prohibited.
Bringing food or drink: Bringing food or drink into the testing room is not allowed, unless it has been pre-approved as an accommodation by the College Board.
Sharing calculators: Sharing a calculator with another person during testing is prohibited.
Copying or providing assistance: Copying the work of another student or from published/unpublished sources is strictly prohibited. Attempting to give or receive assistance, or communicating with another person about the AP Exam during or after the administration, is also prohibited.
Taking the exam for someone else: Attempting to take or taking the AP Exam for someone else, or having someone else take the AP Exam on your behalf, is a serious violation of the rules. Sharing access credentials, including start codes, with anyone is also prohibited.
Creating a disturbance: Engaging in any behavior that disrupts the testing environment is prohibited.
Confrontational behavior: Engaging in confrontational, threatening, or unruly behavior, conduct, or communication toward any AP exam taker, test administrator, proctor, or employee of the College Board or its contractors is strictly prohibited.
Failing to follow instructions: Failing to comply with any of the test administration rules set forth in the Terms and Conditions, the Instructions, the Application, or in other registration materials, or directions given by the testing staff is a prohibited behavior.

Original Work

The College Board emphasizes the importance of original work on AP Exams. Submissions must be the student's own work and cannot be generated in whole or in part using any AI tools, including but not limited to ChatGPT. Submissions must not include any content (e.g., text, image, graph) that was copied from some other source (“preexisting materials”). Any use of preexisting materials in a submission not expressly authorized is considered plagiarism.

The College Board employs various methods and services to detect the use of AI and plagiarism in submissions.

Score Cancellation and Disciplinary Measures

The College Board has the authority to take disciplinary measures against students who violate the AP Exam Terms and Conditions. These measures can include:

Denying the opportunity to take an AP Exam.
Declining to score the AP Exam.
Canceling the scores.
Banning the student from taking future College Board assessments (including the SAT, CLEP exam, or any future AP Exam).
Sharing information about the misconduct with others.

The consequences of cheating on the AP Exam are severe, and all institutions to which AP scores are sent may be notified of the misconduct.

Invalid Scores

The College Board may cancel scores if there is substantial evidence that the scores are invalid. Examples of evidence of Invalid Scores include, without limitation, discrepant handwriting, unusual answer patterns, similar essays or code, or other evidence that indicates these Terms and Conditions may have been violated.

If a student opts for a further review by a College Board review panel, and it confirms that the scores are invalid, the student will be offered three options:

Applying a score of zero to affected sections.
Voluntary score cancellation.
Arbitration.

Misconduct

If the College Board determines that there is overwhelming evidence that a student violated the Terms and Conditions, the Score Validity Process will not apply, and the College Board may cancel the scores and/or take other disciplinary measures. Examples of Misconduct might include, without limitation, having someone else assist during the AP Exam, having someone else take the AP Exam for you, giving assistance to another test taker during the AP Exam, evidence of possible pre-knowledge of secure AP Exam content, inappropriate AI use or plagiarizing, which includes submitting an AP Exam with any material other than the exclusive product of your own work, or that includes any text, content, graphics, pictures, or other content from a third-party source.

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