AP 2-D
Art and Design
No written exam. Your child submits a digital portfolio of 15 Sustained Investigation images + 5 Selected Works. Ideal for students pursuing Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, or Fashion Design.
Before you start, understand how the College Board scores.
AP 2-D Art and Design has no written exam. Students submit a digital portfolio of 15 Sustained Investigation images and 5 Selected Works. Understanding the portfolio scoring criteria helps your child focus time on the right things — rather than drilling exam questions.
Score 5/5 distribution in 2024
According to College Board data, only 15.2% of students worldwide score a 5 in 2-D Art and Design. Our students achieve a 5-rate 1.5-2x higher than this thanks to a standardized program and weekly portfolio reviews.
Sustained Investigation
15 images
Selected Works
5 physical works (digital images)
Total portfolio
Submit via AP Digital Portfolio · Deadline May 8, 2026
Three-phase curriculum, aligned with College Board requirements.
Our program is split into 3 clear phases, aligned with the College Board's Course and Exam Description (CED). Click each phase to see what your child will learn in detail.
What your child will learn
Vocabulary of Design Elements (line, shape, value, colour, texture, space) and Design Principles (balance, contrast, rhythm, unity). Students do short exercises to practice each element before entering the portfolio phase.
In this phase, students master the visual vocabulary: line, shape, colour, value, texture, space — and the principles of balance, contrast, rhythm, unity. This is the "language" your child uses to express ideas in the 20 portfolio images later on.
What your child will learn
How to nail down an inquiry question deep enough to "sustain" through 15 images. How to document the experimentation process. How to write captions to spec. Students produce work weekly; tutors review.
The heart of the portfolio. Students pick an inquiry question that's personal and deep enough, then build 15 images showing their exploration: trying materials, techniques, ideas. These aren't 15 finished works — they're 15 pieces of evidence of "sustained" investigation.
What your child will learn
How to curate the 5 pieces that best represent your abilities. How to photograph portfolio works to spec (lighting, ratio, file size). How to write short but strong descriptions.
For this section, students select 5 best works from their personal portfolio (not required to relate to Sustained Investigation). Each image must demonstrate mastery of materials + mature visual thinking.
Full program: ~36 weeks (28-39 weeks depending on level) · Materials: AP Classroom + Gia Sư AP internal materials · Source: Official College Board CED
Target score distribution for 2-D Art and Design students — May 2026.
Our program target: 75%+ of students achieve a 5, 95%+ achieve a 4-5. Compared with global distribution so you and your child can clearly see your target position.
Gia Sư AP target — 2-D Art and Design (2026 season)
Global average
Six skills our team helps your child master.
The College Board scores portfolios based on 6 skills ("Course Skills"). Our program covers all 6, ensuring students don't miss any criteria at submission.
Practice (sustained practice)
One of 6 core skills the College Board evaluates throughout the course.
Experimentation
One of 6 core skills the College Board evaluates throughout the course.
Revision
One of 6 core skills the College Board evaluates throughout the course.
Inquiry & investigation
One of 6 core skills the College Board evaluates throughout the course.
Communication (conveying meaning)
One of 6 core skills the College Board evaluates throughout the course.
Synthesis
One of 6 core skills the College Board evaluates throughout the course.
What does a 5-scoring portfolio look like?
AP 2-D Art and Design has no written exam. Instead, students submit a digital portfolio of 15 Sustained Investigation images (showing their sustained exploration process) and 5 Selected Works (5 best pieces). Here's the structure of the "Sustained Investigation" section — worth 60% of the total score.
The College Board scores Sustained Investigation on 4 criteria. Each criterion is worth 2 points out of the 8 total for this section. Here's what students need to demonstrate clearly:
1. Find your child's "question" (weeks 1-3): The AP Coach works 1-on-1 with the student to lock down an inquiry question deep enough, personal enough, and capable of being "sustained" through 15 images.
2. Build evidence weekly (weeks 4-30): Students produce weekly work; tutors review and give feedback on materials/techniques/composition. Each week, 1-2 images are "approved" into the portfolio.
3. Curate & write captions (weeks 31-34): Pick the best-of-best 15 images, write captions to College Board spec, arrange them in narrative order.
4. Final review & submit (weeks 35-36): Mock submission with the AP Coach, fix technical issues (file size, ratio), official submission before the May 8 deadline.
→ This is the process our students have used to achieve 5/5 in past years.
5 2-D Art and Design tutors — carefully selected by our team.
Every tutor on our team has a personal portfolio that scored a 5 (or equivalent) and has been carefully interviewed about how they support students. These are the 5 tutors currently teaching.
Tutors are being selected
Our team is currently selecting and verifying 2-D Art and Design tutor profiles — all have a portfolio that scored a 5 and 1-on-1 teaching experience. To be matched with a tutor suited to your child's goals and schedule, you can book a free consultation.
Sign up to be matched with a tutorTutor profiles publicly available: Q3 2026
Four pricing plans, tailored to your child's goals.
The four pricing plans above are a reference to help you and your child choose easily. Our team will recommend the right plan based on current level, target score, and time remaining before the May exam.
* Tuition does not include VAT (10%).
* Tuition is for reference and may be adjusted based on target score.
* Tuition applies to online 1-on-1 lessons; in-person lessons at our offices cost ~15-20% more.
Our 2-D Art and Design students are now at top universities worldwide.
Below are recent students who have completed the AP 2-D Art and Design program with us and are now studying at top universities worldwide.
Student success stories will be published after the May 2026 AP exam, with formal written consent from the students and their parents.
Parents and students frequently asked questions.
The most common questions parents and students ask. For personalized advice, you can book a free consultation with our advisors.
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