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Revised 2026–27 course

AP Statistics is rebuilt for 2027: five units and a fully digital exam

The course contracts from eight content units to five, the exam moves entirely into Bluebook, and the free-response section changes from six short FRQs to four 10-point tasks.

The May 2027 AP Statistics exam is fully digital and lasts three hours: 42 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes and four 10-point free-response questions in 90 minutes. The revised course has five units, removes the second-year algebra prerequisite, and changes several assessed topics.

Practice AP StatisticsSee the new format
A lively American statistics lab with three students using physical scatterplot tiles, sampling containers, a calculator, and four large response boards rather than staring at a screen
5 unitsThe former Units 1–8 are consolidated into five.
42 MCQsFour options each; 90 minutes; half the score.
4 FRQsTen points each; 90 minutes; half the score.
Fully digitalAll responses are entered in Bluebook.
New exam blueprint

Three hours, split evenly between MCQ and FRQ.

SectionQuestionsTimeWeightWhat is new
Multiple choice4290 minutes50%Four choices per question; two three-question sets on probability/distributions and regression
Free response490 minutes50%Four 10-point tasks, all typed in Bluebook; no paper FRQ booklet
Course changes

Know which old notes no longer match the framework.

The revised course removes the second-year algebra prerequisite, adds investigative-question topics and consolidates the course into five units. It also removes departures from linearity, combining random variables, the geometric distribution, chi-square goodness of fit, and inference for slopes from the assessed framework.

  1. Formulate questions and collect data.One FRQ explicitly combines Practices 1 and 2.
  2. Analyze and interpret.A separate FRQ focuses on Practices 3 and 4.
  3. Keep inference fluent.One FRQ is a hypothesis test or confidence interval.
  4. Expect one integrated task.The fourth FRQ crosses multiple content areas and Practices 2–4.
Digital response

Typing statistics is part of exam readiness.

Notation

Write complete statistical statements

Use plain-language definitions and precise parameter descriptions so the response remains clear even when symbolic entry is slower.

Planning

Use scratch paper before typing

Set up conditions, calculations and interpretation off-screen, then enter a concise answer in Bluebook.

Review

Check context and conclusion

Make sure the final sentence answers the investigative question in context, not just reports a number.

Framework transition

Update the study map before updating the study hours.

Some statistical ideas remain useful even when their old unit label disappears. The task is to align notes and practice with the five-unit framework and the four revised practices.

Formulate questions

Start with the population, variable and investigative question. A strong plan explains what can be learned from the proposed data and which design would support that conclusion.

Collect data

Distinguish random sampling from random assignment and connect each method to the scope of inference. Digital entry does not change the logic of bias, confounding or generalization.

Analyze data

Choose displays and summaries that match the variable type and purpose. On a typed FRQ, show the calculation or reasoning needed to make the result interpretable rather than dropping an unexplained calculator output.

Interpret results

Write conclusions in context and match their certainty to the design. Statistical significance, practical importance and causation are separate claims; the response must not slide from one to another.

Use old materials selectively

Retain valid explanations of distributions, sampling, probability, regression and inference, but remove practice centered on topics no longer assessed. Re-label useful questions against the new units so coverage can be measured honestly.

Rebuild full mocks

A 2027 mock should contain 42 four-option MCQs and four 10-point FRQs in a fully digital sequence. A legacy 40-question, five-option, six-FRQ paper can teach content but cannot prove pacing for the revised exam.

Questions students ask

What to know before you plan.

How many questions are on the 2027 AP Statistics exam?
The revised exam has 42 multiple-choice questions and four free-response questions.
Is the 2027 AP Statistics exam fully digital?
Yes. Students complete both sections in Bluebook and no longer use paper free-response booklets.
How many units are in the revised AP Statistics course?
The revised 2026–27 course consolidates the previous eight content units into five units.
Can students still use a graphing calculator?
Yes. An approved handheld graphing calculator and the built-in Desmos graphing calculator are allowed.
What topics were removed?
Removed topics include departures from linearity, combining random variables, geometric distributions, chi-square goodness of fit, and inference for slopes.
Keep planning

Use the revised Statistics path.

AP Statistics guideThe full revised course and exam overview.Statistics practiceQuestions organized around the assessed skills.Statistics FRQ practiceBuild complete, contextual written responses.All AP changes for 2027Compare Statistics with other affected exams.

Fact basisCollege Board AP Statistics Revisions effective for the 2026–27 school year. The named official publication defines the factual scope used here; students should match any time-sensitive rule to their exact exam administration or college entry term.

Do not practice a six-FRQ exam for a four-FRQ test.

Work the revised skill map, type complete explanations, and rehearse the three-hour digital sequence.

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