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AP Cybersecurity and AP Networking Pilots

Get details about these pilot courses for the 2025-26 school year.

In the fall of 2025, the AP Program will launch pilots at hundreds of high schools to test our AP Career Kickstart™ course frameworks for AP Cybersecurity and AP Networking. 

Applications for the 2025-26 pilots are now closed. Schools interested in taking part in AP Career Kickstart will be able to participate in our national launch in 2026-27. For more information, contact: [email protected] 

CompTIA Test Prep and Exams

Students who earn a qualifying score on an AP Cybersecurity or AP Networking pilot exam will earn a free voucher for additional test prep (CertMaster Network+ or TestOut Security Pro) and the exam for the related CompTIA employer-endorsed certification, an estimated value of up to $350. The alignments of the pilot courses to CompTIA are: 

  • AP Cybersecurity—CompTIA Security+
  • AP Networking—CompTIA Network+ 

Shortly after completing a pilot exam, students will be informed if they qualify for the free CompTIA test prep and exam voucher. 

Teachers will receive support on coaching students through test prep. 

Pilot Curricular Resources 

AP Career Kickstart is partnering with Cisco, CYBER.ORG, and Paradigm Cyber Ventures to provide cybersecurity and networking teachers with additional curricular resources to support the implementation of their pilot courses. 

Company logos for AP Career Kickstart pilots

These organizations will each provide at least one lesson or module per topic of each course. These lessons or modules will follow the sequencing of the framework of each course. 

Pilot Timeline

  • June 2024: School application opens
  • December 2024/January 2025: Invitations sent to schools
  • February 2025: Deadline for schools to confirm participation
  • Spring 2025: Schools recruit students to participate in the pilot courses for the 2025-26 school year
  • June–August 2025: Pilot teachers attend an AP Career Kickstart Summer Institute (multiple dates and locations are available)
  • August/September 2025: Pilot teachers launch AP Cybersecurity and AP Networking courses
  • November 14, 2025: Deadline to order AP Cybersecurity and AP Networking Exams (except for courses that don’t start until after November 14)
  • May 2026: AP Cybersecurity and AP Networking Exams administered and completion of pilot year

Pilot School Commitments

  • If selected, submit a participation contract by February 2025.
  • Identify a teacher to lead the course during the 2025-26 school year.
  • Encourage students to register for the pilot courses during course selection activities in winter/spring 2025.
  • Send the teacher to a 5-day AP Summer Institute in June–August 2025:
    • Registration fee: $900
    • Lodging: College Board will cover the cost for pilot participants in the 2025-26 school year.
  • AP coordinators must submit pilot exam orders in AP Registration and Ordering by the November 14 deadline.  
  • Encourage all enrolled students to take the AP Cybersecurity and AP Networking Exams.

We recommend that high schools offer weighted GPA benefits to students enrolled in AP courses. 

Pilot Teacher Commitments

  • Attend a 5-day AP Career Kickstart Summer Institute in June–August 2025.
  • Use the course frameworks to teach the courses in the 2025-26 school year and administer the exams.
  • Use AP Career Kickstart instructional supports and lesson plans.
  • Participate in the AP Cybersecurity and AP Networking online communities.
  • Provide regular feedback to the AP Program (see email address below) on the AP Cybersecurity and AP Networking course frameworks, course resources, and overall pilot experience to help support AP Career Kickstart as we build it together. 

Participant Profile

Here’s what we’re looking for in pilot teachers:

  • Teaching Experience: You are teaching or have recently taught a course in networking, cybersecurity, or computer science. You’re an innovator who enjoys trying new things and launching new programs; you engage in an iterative design-and-application process to drive improvement.
  • Commitment: You’re excited to participate and will complete the course with your students so they can take the exam at the end of the year, if they choose.
  • Collaboration: You enjoy and have experience working with other teachers to build and improve a course, share ideas, and learn from their practice. You believe that no one has a monopoly on the right idea and that students benefit when educators work together.
  • Engagement: You understand the importance of—and are skilled at building—student relationships. You encourage student voice and choice, and you prepare lessons that prioritize high levels of engagement.
  • Applied Learning: You believe that students learn by doing and need to engage in productive struggle. You’re comfortable and have experience using a project- or problem-based instructional approach.
  • Innovation: You value creativity in the classroom, and you innovate in your instructional practices. You try new techniques and encourage students to take risks.
  • Equity: You believe that every student can be successful, and you provide the support needed to ensure all students have equitable access to instructional content.
  • Curiosity: You’re interested in technology: how it works, why it sometimes doesn’t work, and how to fix it. You see yourself as a co-learner with students.

Questions? Get in Touch

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