Advanced Placement exams will go ahead in an abridged, online form, despite the cancellation of other international exams.

Jon Beard, the Deputy Head of School at Saltus, said today the AP exams organised by the US College Board and undertaken by students in Saltus’ SGY programme, will begin on May 11.

Mr Beard said: “Last summer College Board invested heavily in electronic registration as they completely revamped their electronic profile and resources.

“As the impact of Covid-19 became obvious, they polled students regarding their wishes, and the vast majority wanted to go ahead with the exams.”

The exams, which are used to gain college credits in North America and assist in university placement in the UK, will be held over the course of two weeks.

The online version of the subject-based exams will focus on the “free response” sections of previous tests.

Mr Beard said: “This section demands that student apply their knowledge to a problem; it is not testing recall of facts; it is testing how those facts are applied.

“It is an open book test, but the short time allowed gives little time for students to stop and look up answers.”

The British IGCSE, GCSE and A-level exams have been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as have the International Baccalaureate examinations.