What if the real problem with studying isn’t motivation, but access to the right tools at the right time?
That’s the question behind a new collaboration between BFW Publishers and Atypical AI, one designed to tackle a tough challenge: how to help more students succeed on high-stakes exams when traditional support systems fall short. Together we’re offering complimentary access to ExamJam, an AI-powered test prep tool, in the months leading up to the big day for AP® Biology students.
It’s part of a broader effort to understand how personalized, AI-powered test prep can help close persistent opportunity gaps, and explore what happens when students get the right guidance at the right moment.
One of the most important exams many students take is the AP® exam. According to the College Board, over 1.2 million U.S. public high school students took more than 4.3 million AP® exams in 2024, and participation continues to grow each year. But access to support hasn't always kept pace.
There’s a huge gap between wanting to do well and knowing how to prepare. And for high-stakes tests like the AP® exams, that gap can feel even wider. A 2022 report by the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented noted that while AP courses are expanding to more and more schools, not all students have access to expensive tutors, full-length practice exams or time-saving study tools.
At its core, studying is about engaging with material in a way that helps it stick. That takes time, repetition, and feedback. But it also takes tools. And too often, the tools students need to study well are either hard to find or hard to afford.
BFW Publishers and Atypical AI are collaborating to explore scalable, research-informed solutions to high-stakes, high-impact learning challenges; specifically, how smart, accessible study support can help remove barriers and better support motivated, but under-resourced, students.
The Problem: Students Often Need More Than Content
Even with great content (and there’s plenty of it), the question we keep hearing from students is: Where do I start?
They’re not just looking for facts — they’re looking for structure, guidance, and ways to track their progress. They want to know where they’re strong and where they need more work. And they want to feel supported, not judged, in the process.
Students aren’t looking for more content. They’re looking for structure, feedback, and a way to track their progress. In short, they’re looking for smarter ways to study for the big test.
The Solution: A Smarter Way to Support Exam Prep
And while most students say they want to study, they still struggle with knowing what to study and how to track progress. That’s why BFW Publishers is partnering with Atypical AI to offer access to its ExamJam Tutor. We’re working together to test new approaches and see whether combining adaptive technology with trusted content can better meet students where they are.
Focused initially on AP® Biology, and grounded in the proven “Review, Recall, and Practice” learning method, ExamJam Tutor breaks down topics into manageable chunks and guides students through the review process. Students interact with an AI tutor, use thousands of pre-generated flashcards for active recall, and get instant grading and feedback on practice questions. They also receive personalized study tips and progress tracking — all in one place.
And here’s the best part: ExamJam is free for all students studying for the upcoming AP® exam.
In 2024, the AP Biology exam had a pass rate of 63.3%, with a mean score of 2.88. This indicates that a sizable chunk of students -- more than one in three - -put in the effort to take a college-level course and exam but walked away without credit. Not because they didn’t try, but because they didn’t have the right tools or feedback to guide them.
“We’re combining the power of our adaptive AI with BFW’s trusted learning content to solve a real problem students and parents face: access to effective, personalized tutoring that meets them where they are,” said Bethanie Drake-Maples, Founder and CEO of Atypical AI. “It’s not just about smart tech, it’s about showing up for students with timely guidance, thoughtful feedback, and tools that actually help them grow. Every day, we’re seeing students engage more meaningfully and not because they have to, but because the experience resonates. And parents are noticing the difference.”
It’s not a replacement for good teaching. It’s not trying to be. Instead, it’s a supplemental tool that applies proven learning strategies — like active recall and deliberate practice — in a way that’s personalized, accessible, and intuitive for students.
Here’s how ExamJam supports students:
- Breaks down content into manageable chunks so students aren’t overwhelmed by everything at once
- Includes pre-built flashcards that support active recall. There’s no extra work required
- Offers exam-style questions with instant grading and personalized feedback
- Provides study tips and focus areas based on student progress, helping them focus where it counts
- Gives students 24/7 access to an interactive AI tutor for real-time support when they need it
This isn’t just about making another study tool. It’s about reducing friction in the learning process, especially for students who don’t have access to extra support. Studying isn’t the problem. But studying alone, without the right tools, feedback, or support. That’s where too many students get stuck.
“What makes this partnership meaningful is that it starts by taking a hard look at the reasons students struggle and then stays focused on tangible and practical ways we can work together and help. Both companies are listening, learning and creating products that can genuinely help support success,” said Susan Winslow, Macmillan Learning CEO.
AP® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this product.
