AP Networking: The Complete Course Guide | Units, Skills & Exam Prep

Home › AP Networking
AP Career Kickstart · Pilot Course Framework V.1 Free AP Networking Resources

AP Networking: The Complete Course Guide

Everything you need for the College Board's new AP Networking course — built unit by unit from the official course framework. Free study guides, exam prep, and practice questions.

4Units
4Core Skills
100%Framework-Aligned

AP Networking is one of the College Board's new AP Career Kickstart courses. It teaches you to connect, configure, secure, and troubleshoot computer networks of increasing scale — from a single device to a global network — and aligns with the NICE Workforce Framework for cybersecurity careers.

Heads up: AP Networking is currently a pilot course (Course Framework V.1, for use beginning the 2026–2027 school year). The first AP Networking Exam is administered in May 2028. Our resources are built from the official pilot framework and updated as the College Board releases the full Course and Exam Description.

The Four Core Skills

Every unit develops the same four networking skills. The exam is weighted around how well you can apply them.

1. Connect & Configure

Enable data transmission through computer networks: identify components and protocols, choose the right configurations, and implement and verify connectivity.

2. Secure

Apply protective, detective, and deterrent controls: identify vulnerabilities, determine mitigations, implement and document security, and verify it holds.

3. Troubleshoot

Diagnose causes of degraded performance or functionality, determine and implement solutions, and verify the fix — with and without AI tools.

4. Collaborate

Work with others and with AI to accomplish networking tasks: set shared objectives, define roles, and complete assigned work.

The Four Units

Unit Title What You Build
1 Managing My Connections Troubleshoot, connect, and secure a single device
2 Managing My Shared Connections Build, document, upgrade, and secure a SOHO network
3 Managing Many Connections Scale up to larger, multi-segment networks
4 Managing Our Global Connections Connect and secure networks at global scale

See the full curriculum & topics

Start Here

AP Networking Exam OverviewFormat, timing, scoring, and what the digital exam tests.Exam Format & ScoringSection breakdown, question types, and how skills are weighted.Course Curriculum & UnitsAll 4 units and every topic in the pilot framework.Complete Study GuideUnit-by-unit review of every required concept.Interactive Practice Exam (20 Questions)Scenario questions with instant feedback, explanations, and a live score.Quick Practice QuestionsA short set of sample questions to warm up.

New to AP Networking?

Start with the exam overview to understand what you are preparing for, then work through the study guide unit by unit.

AP Networking Exam Overview Open the Study Guide

Get in Touch

Whether you're a student, parent, or teacher — I'd love to hear from you.

Just want free AP CS resources?

Enter your email below and check the subscribe box — no message needed. Students get daily practice questions and study tips. Teachers get curriculum resources and teaching strategies.

Typically responds within 24 hours
✓

Message Sent!

Thanks for reaching out. I'll get back to you within 24 hours.

🏫 Welcome, fellow educator!

I offer curriculum resources, practice materials, and study guides designed for AP CS teachers. Let me know what you're looking for — whether it's classroom materials, a guest speaker, or Teachers Pay Teachers resources.

✉

Email

[email protected]

📚

Courses

AP CSA, CSP, & Cybersecurity

⏱

Response Time

Within 24 hours

Prefer email? Reach me directly at [email protected]