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Ultimate Guide to the AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam

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Of the eight foreign language exams offered by the College Board, the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam is one of the more popular language exams, taken third most frequently after the AP French Language and Culture Exam and the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam. If you’re planning to take the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam, whether you have taken the AP class, are a native-speaker, or have self-studied, read on for a breakdown of the test and advice on how to best prepare for it.

What Does the AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam Cover? 

The AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam assesses what the College Board groups into three types of skills: Interpersonal, Interpretive, and Presentation skills. It also assesses a student’s knowledge of Chinese culture. 

This particular exam has six learning objectives:

• Engage in spoken interpersonal communication
• Engage in written interpersonal communication
• Comprehend information from a variety of audio, visual, and audiovisual resources
• Comprehend information from a variety of written and print resources
• Plan, produce, and present spoken presentational communications 
• Plan and produce written presentational communications

How Long is the AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam? What is the Format?

The AP Chinese Language and Culture exam is approximately two hours and 15 minutes. The exam is split into four separate parts, each of which assess a different skill. 

Unlike most AP exams, the Chinese Language and Culture exam is administered entirely on a computer. You will read text on the screen, type on a keyboard, listen to recordings through headphones, and speak into a microphone. You won’t have the need to write on paper, although you may use paper to take notes during the exam, which will be collected but not scored. 

In terms of text display and input, the AP exam computer will offer you options. 

Character display options: 

• Traditional characters
• Simplified characters

All text displayed on the screen is available in traditional and simplified form, and you can change between the two if necessary. 

Input methods: 

• Microsoft Pinyin IME (MSPY), based on Hanyu Pinyin
• Microsoft New Phonetic IME, based on Zhuyin Fuhao (Bopomofo)

In addition, students who choose to type with Hanyu Pinyin will have the option to choose between traditional and simplified characters. 

Take a look at the table below to get an understanding of the four parts that make up the AP Chinese exam, and then some sample questions to familiarize yourself with what to expect. 

AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam Format

Source: College Board 

Sample AP Chinese Questions

Section 1a: multiple choice listening.

25-35 Questions | 20 Minutes | 25% of Score

Rejoinder questions make up about half of all of Section 1A. These questions assess your ability to use set phrases and social formula, and communication of intent and attitude.

Listen to the audio file of this question .

The other part of Section 1A are Listening Selection questions, such as the sample question below. These questions assess comprehension and inference.

Listen to the following question here . 

Section 1B: Multiple Choice Reading

35-40 Questions | 60 Minutes | 25% of Score

In this section, the readings will be in Chinese, and the questions posed will be in English. 

Section 2A: Free-response Writing

2 Questions | 30 Minutes | 25% of Score 

There will be one question asking you to narrate a story, and another asking you to produce an email response. 

Section 2B: Free-response Speaking

2 Questions | 11 Minutes | 25% of Score

Section 2B has a Conversation question, and a Cultural Presentation question. The former assess spontaneous interpersonal communication skills in Chinese, and the latter directly assesses cultural knowledge and presentational communication skills.  

Example of a conversation question:

Here’s an example of a Presentation question:

AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam Score Distribution, Average Score, and Passing Rate

Takers of the AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam are assessed as two groups: the total group, which is comprised of all test takers; and the standard group, which are students who  generally receive most of their foreign language training in U.S. schools, who don’t regularly speak or hear Chinese, and haven’t lived for more than one month in a Chinese-speaking country. In other words, the standard group is those who haven’t had much exposure to the language outside of the classroom. 

The College Board’s data shows that in 2019, 60% of total test takers scored a 5—the highest AP exam score, but only 16.3% of those in the standard group scored the full 5. The average score for the total group was a 4.19, and for the standard group, a 2.95. 

This is important to note, since your score will be considered not just against all test takers, but against those with similar levels of exposure to Chinese outside of the classroom. So don’t let the overall scores intimidate you! 

Best Ways to Study for the AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam 

Step 1: assess your skills.

It’s important to start your studying off with a good understanding of your existing knowledge. Take a practice test to assess your initial knowledge of the material. Although the College Board does not provide a complete practice test, you can find sample questions with scoring explanations included in the course description . Additionally, the multiple-choice questions from the 2007 exam are available online here . You may also find practice or diagnostic exams in many of the commercial study guides.

Step 2: Know what to expect

A good place to begin is The College Board’s AP Chinese Language and Culture course description , which covers everything from learning objectives to sample questions. 

You can find a variety of Chinese texts at multiple comprehension levels available from Chinese Breeze and you can find news stories written for student-level Chinese comprehension at The Chairman’s Bao . You can also prepare for the exam by reviewing the College Board’s Exam Practice Tips and by previewing the exam’s sample audio files .

For a more specific idea of where to focus your studying, you may consider using a commercial study guide. Because the AP Chinese Language and Culture course has not been updated in over five years, many study materials are available. Barron’s AP Chinese Language and Culture with MP3 CD, 2nd Edition provides a very comprehensive guide to the exam content including two full-length practice exams with all questions answered and explained, along with an MP3 CD containing exemplary conversations and oral presentations. 

Barron’s is the top-rated choice for AP Chinese Language and Culture studying, but some reviewers note that it assumes an already advanced-level of Chinese language knowledge and presents much of its content solely in Chinese, including information about Chinese culture. Another solid option is the Strive For a 5: AP Chinese Practice Tests which receives good reviews for the volume of practice material it includes, but some users note that the audio files are difficult to download.

Step 3: Practice Multiple-Choice Questions

Once you have your theory down, test it out by practicing multiple-choice questions. You can find these in most study guides or through online searches. You could also try taking the multiple-choice section of another practice exam.

The College Board Course Description includes many practice multiple choice questions along with explanations of their answers. As you go through these, try to keep track of which areas are still tripping you up, and go back over this theory again. Focus on understanding what each question is asking and keep a running list of any vocabulary that is still unfamiliar.

Step 4: Practice Free-response Questions

You can begin your preparations for the free-response section by brushing up on your vocabulary and grammar. Make sure you have a solid selection of verbs to fall back on in both conversational and formal tones, and practice using them in multiple contexts. Although you won’t officially be scored on your grammar, you’ll still need to be able to communicate effectively, so make sure you can get your point across.    

Look through The College Board’s past free-response prompts that date back to 2007, with sample responses and scoring commentary.  

This oral portion of the free-response is perhaps the hardest to prepare for, since it can be difficult to gauge your own speaking abilities. One suggested practice method is to record your own sample answers using the past exam prompts, and then replay them for yourself after you’ve reviewed the scoring criteria. You might also team up with a classmate to compare responses and offer each other some constructive criticism. Another less direct method of preparation is simply to make sure you are hearing and speaking as much Chinese as possible on a daily basis.        

Step 5: Take another practice test

Once you’ve put some studying in, take another practice test. You should see a steady progression of knowledge you’ve accumulated, and it’s likely that you will see patterns identifying which areas have improved the most and which areas still need improvement.

If you have time, repeat each of the steps above to incrementally increase your score.

For more about APs, check out these CollegeVine posts:

• The Hardest and Easiest AP Exams
• How Long is Each AP Exam?
• Should I Take AP/IB/Honors Classes?
• How to Choose Which AP Courses and Exams to Take
• Are All APs Created Equal in Admissions?
• What Should I Bring to My AP Exam (And What Should I Definitely Leave at Home)?

Want to know your odds of acceptance into your dream school? Our data-driven chancing engine will let you know just that, based on your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other factors. We’ll also show you how you stack up against other applicants, and how to improve your chances. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account to discover your chances and gain access to everything you’ll need to make your college applications journey smoother and more successful!

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FREE AP Chinese Practice Tests

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Are you gearing up for the AP test in Chinese? Worried about the test after a year in AP Chinese classes? Our guides are here to help you study and prepare on your own for the exam. First, we will take a general look at the topics covered in AP Chinese classes; then, we will consider the formatting and structure of the AP Chinese exam. Finally, we will introduce a whole host of resources that you can use to strengthen your AP Chinese skills by both figuring out your strengths and attacking your weaknesses. This will leave you feeling prepared to tackle the AP Chinese exam!

Similar to every AP class, AP language classes offer college-level introductory course work and credit within a high school setting. All AP language classes involve a solid amount of vocabulary and memorization, but are geared for first-time language learners and not native speakers. The exam tests a student’s ability to read, type, listen and speak Chinese on an entirely computer-based exam. The test is divided into four sections. One of these sections is a listening and multiple-choice one in which a student fills in the continuation of a conversation; another is the reading section with multiple-choice answers. A third section includes a combination of free-writing narration for a series of pictures, along with reading and responding to an email. Lastly, a speaking component asks test takers to respond to a simulated conversation about a given aspect of Chinese culture, regarding the planning of an event. Each writing section is scored out of six possible points, and multiple choice section is scored out of thirty-six possible points.

Keep in mind that all Chinese text on screen will be available in traditional or simplified characters, and students have two options for typing in Chinese: Microsoft Pinyin, or Microsoft New Phonetic.

The exam is graded by communicative modes, so interpersonal, interpretive and presentational each comprise about thirty percent of the overall score. It is also interpreted by language modality, divided equally between listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

If you are looking for a comprehensive, free AP Chinese resource, whether for the upcoming test or to help you focus your learning throughout the class, look no further! Varsity Tutors’ free AP Chinese Practice Tests are all available for you to take online at any time. Each AP Chinese Practice Test is made up of about a dozen questions and includes an answer key with thorough explanations. Your score is also compared to the scores other test takers have received when answering the same questions. These resources are specifically curated to help you gain both knowledge and confidence when studying for the AP Chinese exam!

Free AP Chinese Practice Tests

Practice quizzes, ap chinese language and culture problem set 1.

The AP Chinese Language and Culture Exam

Out of the eight different foreign language advanced placement exams offered by the testing agency the College Board, the Advanced Placement Chinese Language and Culture exam is by far one of the most popular.  This makes a lot of sense, given that Mandarin Chinese is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world, with close to a billion speakers!

If you’re in the process of learning Mandarin Chinese in the United States, you should make earning a good grade on the AP Chinese Language and Culture test your ultimate goal. Passing this examination with a good score will put you at an intermediate level of Mandarin – and from there, the opportunities are endless. More importantly, it can fulfill one of the common foreign language requirements for college. Even if you don’t plan to study Mandarin Chinese in the long term, a pass on the AP Chinese exam will provide you more time to take other classes.

What Does the Exam Cover?

The exam covers students’ knowledge of Chinese culture as well as interpretive, presentation, and interpersonal skills. It’s meant to test a student’s ability to engage in both written and spoken conversation, to comprehend information from audio, visual, audiovisual, print, and written resources, and to plan, produce, and present various types of communication.

The test takes about two hours and fifteen minutes to complete. It’s split into four sections, each of which will evaluate and assess various skills. It’s administered entirely on a computer, with either Traditional or Simplified character options. 

What HSK Level Corresponds With the AP Chinese Exam?

The HSK, or the Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì, is China’s only standardized test for non-native speakers of the language. The Chinese AP exam is equivalent to HSK level 4 to 5. It includes lots of Chinese cultural knowledge as well as real-life colloquial language use that you’ll need to know in order to perform well on the AP test.

If you are interested in studying, working or living in China, it’s best to use the HSK to prepare and pass the AP test. 

What TOCFL Level Corresponds With the AP Chinese Exam?

The Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language is another examination that measures your Chinese proficiency. Available in both simplified and traditional character versions, it has three proficiency bands – A, B, and C. 

If you want to pass the AP test, you will need to reach the intermediate level (Level 3) of the TOCFL. Therefore, many students take the TOCFL as a practice test for AP test preparation, since it’s designed for nonnative speakers of Chinese. It also serves as a good test of proficiency if you plan on working, studying, or doing any kind of business in Taiwan. 

Studying for the Exam

Once you’ve decided to take this challenging exam, it’s time to put in the work! Taking classes in Mandarin Chinese and immersing yourself in the language is the best thing you can do – but it’s also a good idea to sign up for a reading program. This will help you to continue to develop your skills long after your courses have ended – you can study on your own terms with a program like the Mandarin Reading Club .

Otherwise, practice, practice, practice! Practice makes perfect when it comes to getting a good score on the AP Chinese test. Good luck!

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AP Chinese: A Comprehensive Course and Exam Overview

• Last updated: February 2, 2024

The Advanced Placement (AP) program provides high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses and earn college credit or advanced placement in college courses. AP courses aim to prepare students for higher education by offering rigorous coursework. These programs are recognized for their academic rigor and are valued by colleges and universities in the United States and worldwide.

Among these courses is the AP Chinese Language and Culture course, a unique program that combines Chinese language skills with cultural understanding. This course not only aims to enhance students’ Chinese language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, but also immerses them in the cultural, social, and historical aspects of Chinese-speaking communities. The course aims to enhance language proficiency through a variety of authentic resources and real-world tasks. It’s an ideal choice for students interested in deepening their understanding of Chinese language and culture and gaining valuable skills for global communication, all while earning college credit.

AP Chinese Course Objectives

Ap chinese course content and learning resources, ap chinese exam format, prerequisites for ap chinese course, tips for preparing for the ap chinese exam, recommended platforms for ap chinese exam preparation, recommended books for ap chinese exam preparation.

The AP Chinese Language and Culture course is designed with specific objectives to enhance students’ Mandarin Chinese proficiency and deepen their understanding of Chinese culture. The primary goal is to develop strong language skills across listening, speaking, reading, and writing, aiming to reach a high level of fluency.

AP Chinese’s Four Key Language Skills

In addition to the language skills, cultural understanding and communication goals are central. Students are immersed in learning about Chinese traditions, societal norms, and cultural practices, fostering an appreciation for cultural diversity and global perspectives. Furthermore, the course emphasizes the importance of effective and appropriate communication within Chinese-speaking environments. By engaging with various real-life contexts and interactive activities, students improve their ability to express themselves clearly in Mandarin. Preparing for the AP exam is also a key focus, as the course equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed.

AP Chinese Culture Goals

Through this comprehensive approach, the AP Chinese Language and Culture course aims to prepare students not only for academic success but also for meaningful engagement with the Chinese-speaking world.

A wide range of topics are covered in the AP Chinese Language and Culture course, each designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of various aspects of Chinese society and culture. Topics include contemporary life, where students explore current issues and trends in Chinese-speaking communities; families and communities, which explores family structures, social relationships, and community values; science and technology, focusing on advancements and their impact on society; and global challenges, where students discuss environmental, political, and social issues facing the world today.

In terms of materials, the course utilizes a diverse array of texts and resources to support learning. Students engage with authentic materials such as newspaper articles, literary works, and online media, providing a real-world context to their studies. Audio and video materials, including news broadcasts, films, and interviews, are also integral to the course, offering students exposure to various dialects and aspects of spoken Chinese.

Additionally, immersive activities and multimedia presentations are used to enhance language skills and cultural understanding. Interactive tools like language learning apps and online platforms play a significant role in enhancing listening and speaking skills. Websites offering Chinese news, cultural articles, and language exercises are commonly used for up-to-date and relevant content. For writing practice, students might use blogs or forums to engage in discussions in Chinese.

Online resources like Quizlet offer flashcards and study games for vocabulary building, while websites like MandarinBean.com , Du Chinese and BBC Chinese provide additional reading and listening practice.

These varied resources ensure that students not only learn the language but also gain a comprehensive insight into the Chinese-speaking world.

The AP Chinese Language and Culture exam is divided into two main sections: Multiple Choice and Free Response. Each section assesses listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. It is designed to assess students’ ability to understand and use Chinese in a range of contexts, mirroring the kind of proficiency expected in real-world situations.

Preparing for the AP Chinese Course and Exam

To better prepare for the challenges of the AP Chinese Language and Culture course, allowing students to fully engage with and benefit from the advanced material, some prerequisites are necessary.

1). Chinese language foundation

A solid foundation in Mandarin Chinese is essential. Students should have skills equivalent to at least two to three years of high school Chinese study. This includes a strong grasp of basic grammar, vocabulary, and the ability to comprehend and communicate simple ideas in Chinese.

As this course involves extensive reading and writing, at least 1,000 to 1,500 Chinese characters are required.

The course also includes audio materials in various dialects and accents. Therefore, students should also be able to engage in basic conversations and express their thoughts in spoken Chinese.

2). Cultural Understanding

A basic understanding of Chinese culture, traditions, and societal norms is beneficial. This knowledge supports the cultural components of the course and helps in understanding context.

3). Study Skills and Motivation

The AP Chinese course is rigorous. Students should have strong study habits, time management skills, and a high level of motivation to learn and excel in the course. Actually, this is not only a must for AP Chinese, but for all courses.

1). Practice regularly

Consistency is key in language learning. Dedicate time each day to practice various skills like listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

For vocabulary expansion, regularly learn new words and phrases, utilizing tools like flashcards, apps, or online platforms for effective memorization.

Listening skills can be sharpened by engaging with Chinese audio materials, starting with simpler, slower content and gradually progressing to more complex, faster-paced dialogues.

Speaking practice is equally important. Joining language exchange groups or conversation clubs can greatly improve fluency, as regular interaction with native speakers or fellow learners offers practical speaking experience.

2). Use authentic materials

Engage with materials used by native speakers, such as Chinese newspapers, films, TV shows, and podcasts. This exposure helps in understanding real-world language use and cultural nuances.

3). Do more mock exams

Take practice exams to familiarize yourself with the format and time constraints of the AP exam. This helps in identifying areas for improvement and easing your test anxiety.

4). Immerse yourself in Chinese culture

Learn more about Chinese culture, history, and current events, not only from textbooks, but more from media, podcasts, newspapers, movies, etc.

5). Use study guides

Utilize AP Chinese study guides and textbooks that specifically prepare students for the exam format and content.

6). Seek feedback

For a more structured approach, consider working with a professional Chinese tutor. Regularly ask Chinese teachers or native speakers for feedback on your language use, pronunciation, and grammar. This approach is equally effective when it comes to writing.

Many platforms provide a range of comprehensive resources and tools beneficial for students preparing for the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam.

Albert’s AP Chinese Language exam prep focuses on developing an understanding of Chinese language, culture, and contemporary society. It’s a resource for practicing and enhancing language proficiency along with cultural understanding.

• Stanford Online High School

This site offers a variety of print and online text and audio-visual materials to examine aspects of both traditional and modern Chinese culture. It’s useful for students looking to acquire vocabulary and characters and to sharpen listening, speaking, and composition skills.

This resource provides a college-level challenge, covering topics typically found in a university course. It’s geared towards students in Grade 9 and above, offering extensive preparation for the AP Chinese Language and Culture exam.

Aralia focuses on strategies and knowledge necessary to attain a target score on the AP exam. It aids in developing proficiency in reading, translating, speaking, and analyzing Chinese, as well as quickly comprehending and responding to questions.

These books provide comprehensive coverage of the AP curriculum with exercises tailored to exam preparation.

• Integrated Chinese

• Barron’s AP Chinese Language and Culture Premium

• 5 Steps to a 5: AP Chinese Language and Culture

• Strive for a 5: Preparing for the AP Chinese Language and Culture Examination

Final Remarks

The AP Chinese Language and Culture course offers significant value and importance for students. Firstly, it provides an opportunity to earn college credit and achieve advanced standing in universities, potentially saving time and money. Beyond academic benefits, the course significantly enhances language proficiency. Students develop comprehensive skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in Mandarin Chinese, which is invaluable in an increasingly globalized world.

Furthermore, the course deepens students’ understanding of Chinese culture, history, and societal norms, enriching their cultural knowledge and global awareness. This cultural immersion aids in fostering better communication and understanding in diverse environments. Additionally, mastering Chinese through this course opens doors to various career opportunities in international business, diplomacy, and more, as China plays a pivotal role in global affairs. The AP Chinese course, therefore, not only prepares students academically but also equips them with vital skills and insights for personal and professional growth in a multicultural world.

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Hey, everyone! I'm about to start studying for the AP Chinese exam. Can someone give me a detailed breakdown of the test format? It would really help me organize my study plan. Thanks!

Hello! The AP Chinese Language and Culture exam is designed to assess your proficiency in Chinese language skills and your understanding of Chinese culture. The test is divided into two main sections: Section I (Multiple Choice) and Section II (Free Response). Here's a detailed breakdown of each section:

Section I: Multiple Choice

- This section is worth 50% of your total exam score.

- You'll have 1 hour and 20 minutes to complete it.

- It consists of approximately 70 multiple-choice questions.

- There are two parts in this section.

1. Part A: Listening (approximately 30 questions).

- You'll hear audio in Chinese and answer questions based on the recordings.

- The audio will include both short and long conversation excerpts, and recorded presentations on various topics.

2. Part B: Reading (approximately 40 questions).

- You'll read several written texts in Chinese and answer questions to test your reading comprehension.

- Texts include various genres, from newspaper articles to emails, and cover various topics related to Chinese culture and everyday life.

Section II: Free Response

- You'll have 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete it.

- There are four tasks in this section.

1. Task 1: Writing

- You'll be asked to write a story or short essay based on a given text, image, or situation.

- This task assesses your ability to organize and convey your thoughts in written Chinese and requires strong grammar and vocabulary skills.

2. Task 2: Speak to Respond

- You'll be given a prompt and asked to record a spoken response in Chinese.

- This task assesses your ability to express your thoughts and opinions verbally in Chinese.

3. Task 3: Cultural Presentation

- You'll be asked to present a well-reasoned, persuasive argument on a cultural topic in a short written or spoken response.

- This task assesses your knowledge of Chinese culture and your ability to express your views on cultural topics in written or spoken Chinese.

4. Task 4: Conversation

- You'll be given a short audio prompt and asked to record a spoken conversation in Chinese, responding appropriately to the audio cues.

- This task assesses your ability to interact and communicate effectively in spoken Chinese in a simulated conversation.

It's essential to focus on developing your listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills and building a strong foundation in Chinese grammar, vocabulary, and cultural understanding. Good luck with your studies and AP Chinese exam preparation!

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🇨🇳 AP Chinese - Score Calculator

Fill out the info below, and pep will predict your ap score 🪄.

Based on 2023 Exam Scoring Guidelines - these scores may not be 100% accurate

Section I : Multiple Choice

Section ii : free response, multiple choice, free response, weighted score, predicted ap score.

15.40% of students achieved this score last year.

You're doing great! Let's boost your confidence even more

AP Score Calculator FAQ

How does this 🇨🇳 ap chinese score calculator work.

Adjust the sliders to guesstimate which rubric points you think you’ll get. The calculator will apply the accurate score weights + give you an estimated final score! (Pep’s final form will change depending on your score 🌶️)

Exam sections and scoring

• Every AP subject has standardized sections on the exam. They usually include multiple choice and free response questions.
• Each section is worth some number of points based on 1) the number of questions and 2) sometimes a scoring rubric. Each section also has a different weight on your final score.

Is it accurate?

Yes! The weights of the score + the points possible are very accurate, based on info from the Course & Exam Descriptions and Scoring Guidelines from the 2023 AP exams.

(If you notice any errors, please email us at [email protected] so we can fix it!)

The one area that can’t be perfectly accurate is how we determined the final predicted scores (College Board doesn’t publish the “cut points” for each scores.)

We used old released exams and other calculators to estimate “if you earned this % of points, you would earn this score”:

• 75% or more = 5

These are meant to be benchmarks to give a rough idea of where you might fall, but the actual numbers are adjusted each year to be based on the curve. We’re probably pretty close though.

How are the 🇨🇳 AP Chinese exams scored?

• Multiple Choice questions are graded with a computer, those are super easy to grade quickly.
• Some teachers do this remotely and grade online, others are physically in person reading essays. They sit together at tables in huge conference centers for ~1 week to go through every single essay.
• These educators are truly rooting for you to get as many points as you can. When there is a high scoring essay, the table quietly celebrates 🥳
• Total scores for multiple choice and free response are combined, then translated into a 5-point scale.

What is a good score on the 🇨🇳 AP Chinese exam?

It’s all relative (really). We tend to think your score matters far less in the long run, so there really isn’t such thing as a “bad score”.  Taking the test and going through the process is correlated with going to and doing better in college.

Technically, a “3” is considered passing because it’s the lowest score that can earn college credit. Some colleges require 4s or 5s. And some (elite) colleges don’t give credit at all.

You can search all colleges for their AP Credit policy here:  https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting-credit-placement/search-policies

What were last year’s 🇨🇳 AP Chinese scores?

College Board publishes the distribution of scores for every subject so you can see what % earned each score on the 5-point scale:  https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores/score-distributions

We listed these on the calculator as well :)

How can I improve my 🇨🇳 AP Chinese scores?

This calculator is useful because it’s a baseline. Once you know your strengths and weaknesses, you can make a plan to improve!

In the weeks leading up to the exam, you should do a few things:

Take the time to review all the content. Don’t reread the textbook or anything, but remind yourself of all the key topics.

Go through the study guides and find areas where you remember less content:  https://library.fiveable.me/

Start practicing questions on topics that you know the least. You can do easy, medium, hard, or extremely hard questions to test yourself:  https://library.fiveable.me/practice

And finally, attend a cram session in the days before the exam to get a last minute confidence boost:  https://library.fiveable.me/cram-events

When do 🇨🇳 AP Chinese scores come out?

The scores are usually released the week after the 4th of July. You can get them by signing into your College Board account. Instructions are here:  https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/view-scores

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Cracking the AP Chinese Listening Section: Tips and Practice

The AP Chinese Listening Section is one of the most challenging sections of the exam. This post will provide you with tips to improve listening skills.

The AP Chinese exam can be a daunting challenge, but with focused preparation, you can conquer it. One crucial aspect of the exam is the listening section, which tests your ability to understand spoken Chinese in various contexts. To help you excel in this section, we've compiled essential tips and practice strategies.

Understanding the Listening Section

The listening section of the AP Chinese exam aims to evaluate your proficiency in comprehending spoken Chinese. It consists of various types of audio recordings, including conversations, interviews, news reports, and monologues. You will hear these recordings only once, so attentive listening is crucial.

AP Chinese Tip 1: Develop Your Listening Skills

Building strong listening skills is fundamental to success. Here's how:

• Daily Listening Practice: Incorporate listening exercises into your daily routine. Listen to Chinese podcasts, watch news broadcasts, and engage with Chinese audio content regularly.
• Diverse Materials: Expose yourself to a range of topics, accents, and speaking speeds. This will prepare you for the diversity of content in the exam.
• Transcription Practice: Listen to short audio clips and transcribe what you hear. This helps improve your ability to distinguish words and phrases.

AP Chinese Tip 2: Understand Context

In the listening section, questions often refer to the context of the audio. Understanding the context can make answering questions significantly easier. Here's what you can do:

• Take Notes: While listening, jot down key points, names, and any information that might be relevant to the questions.
• Predict Answers: Try to anticipate answers based on what you hear. This can guide your listening and help you identify correct responses more easily.
• Practice Contextual Understanding: Listen to audio clips and summarize the main points, helping you practice extracting information from context.

AP Chinese Tip 3: Focus on Question Types

Familiarize yourself with the types of questions you'll encounter in the listening section. These can include multiple-choice, matching, and short answer questions. Practice each question type to become more efficient at answering them.

Practice, Practice, Practice

The key to mastering the listening section is practice. Here's a structured approach to your practice sessions:

• Simulated Exams: Take full-length practice exams that mimic the AP Chinese format. This helps you become comfortable with the timing and structure of the section.
• Review Mistakes: After each practice exam, thoroughly review your mistakes. Understand why you got a particular question wrong and learn from it.
• Timed Practice: Time yourself while practicing to ensure you can answer questions within the allotted time.
• Use Authentic Materials: Incorporate authentic Chinese audio materials into your practice, such as news broadcasts or interviews. This will prepare you for the range of content on the exam.
• Join Study Groups: Practice listening comprehension with peers to expose yourself to different interpretations and strategies.

Recommended Resources

To enhance your listening skills, consider using the following resources:

• Official AP Chinese Exam Prep Materials: The College Board provides sample questions and practice exams that closely resemble the real test.
• Chinese Podcasts: Listen to Chinese podcasts covering a variety of topics. Try to find podcasts related to news, culture, and interviews.
• Language Learning Apps: Some language learning apps offer listening comprehension exercises that can be valuable for practice.

Remember, success in the AP Chinese listening section comes with consistent practice, improved listening skills, and a solid understanding of question types. With dedication and the right strategies, you can confidently tackle this section and bring yourself one step closer to achieving your AP Chinese goals.

So, grab your headphones, immerse yourself in Chinese audio content, and practice diligently. The more you practice, the more confident and prepared you'll be when you face the listening section on exam day. Good luck!

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Toxic: How the search for the origins of COVID-19 turned politically poisonous

FILE - A security person moves journalists away from the Wuhan Institute of Virology after a World Health Organization team arrived for a field visit in Wuhan in China’s Hubei province on Feb. 3, 2021. The hunt for COVID-19 origins has gone dark in China. An AP investigation drawing on thousands of pages of undisclosed emails and documents and dozens of interviews found feuding officials and fear of blame ended meaningful Chinese and international efforts to trace the virus almost as soon as they began, despite years of public statements to the contrary. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

FILE - A volunteer looks out near a Chinese national flag during a farewell ceremony for the last group of medical workers who came from outside Wuhan to help the city during the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province on April 15, 2020. The hunt for COVID-19 origins has gone dark in China. An AP investigation drawing on thousands of pages of undisclosed emails and documents and dozens of interviews found feuding officials and fear of blame ended meaningful Chinese and international efforts to trace the virus almost as soon as they began, despite years of public statements to the contrary. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

FILE - A farewell ceremony is held for the last group of medical workers who came from outside Wuhan to help the city during the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province on April 15, 2020. The hunt for COVID-19 origins has gone dark in China. An AP investigation drawing on thousands of pages of undisclosed emails and documents and dozens of interviews found feuding officials and fear of blame ended meaningful Chinese and international efforts to trace the virus almost as soon as they began, despite years of public statements to the contrary. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

FILE - A policeman moves journalists back from a farewell event held for the last group of medical workers who came from outside Wuhan to help the city during the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province on April 15, 2020. The hunt for COVID-19 origins has gone dark in China. An AP investigation drawing on thousands of pages of undisclosed emails and documents and dozens of interviews found feuding officials and fear of blame ended meaningful Chinese and international efforts to trace the virus almost as soon as they began, despite years of public statements to the contrary. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

FILE - A security guard waves for journalists to clear the road after a convoy carrying the World Health Organization team entered the Huanan Seafood Market on the third day of a field visit in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province on Jan. 31, 2021. The hunt for COVID-19 origins has gone dark in China. An AP investigation drawing on thousands of pages of undisclosed emails and documents and dozens of interviews found feuding officials and fear of blame ended meaningful Chinese and international efforts to trace the virus almost as soon as they began, despite years of public statements to the contrary. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

FILE - A photographer on a tall ladder tries to take photos of the World Health Organization convoy after it entered the Huanan Seafood Market on the third day of field visit in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province on Jan. 31, 2021. The hunt for COVID-19 origins has gone dark in China. An AP investigation drawing on thousands of pages of undisclosed emails and documents and dozens of interviews found feuding officials and fear of blame ended meaningful Chinese and international efforts to trace the virus almost as soon as they began, despite years of public statements to the contrary. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

FILE - Marion Koopmans, right, and Peter Ben Embarek, center, of the World Health Organization team say farewell to their Chinese counterpart Liang Wannian, left, after a WHO-China Joint Study Press Conference at the end of the WHO mission in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 9, 2021. The hunt for COVID-19 origins has gone dark in China. An AP investigation drawing on thousands of pages of undisclosed emails and documents and dozens of interviews found feuding officials and fear of blame ended meaningful Chinese and international efforts to trace the virus almost as soon as they began, despite years of public statements to the contrary. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

FILE - Peter Ben Embarek of a World Health Organization team attends a joint press conference at the end of their mission to investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province on Feb. 9, 2021. The hunt for COVID-19 origins has gone dark in China. An AP investigation drawing on thousands of pages of undisclosed emails and documents and dozens of interviews found feuding officials and fear of blame ended meaningful Chinese and international efforts to trace the virus almost as soon as they began, despite years of public statements to the contrary. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

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BEIJING (AP) — The hunt for the origins of COVID-19 has gone dark in China, the victim of political infighting after a series of stalled and thwarted attempts to find the source of the virus that killed millions and paralyzed the world for months.

The Chinese government froze meaningful domestic and international efforts to trace the virus from the first weeks of the outbreak, despite statements supporting open scientific inquiry, an Associated Press investigation found. That pattern continues to this day, with labs closed, collaborations shattered, foreign scientists forced out and Chinese researchers barred from leaving the country.

The investigation drew on thousands of pages of undisclosed emails and documents and dozens of interviews that showed the freeze began far earlier than previously known and involved political and scientific infighting in China as much as international finger-pointing.

As early as Jan. 6, 2020, health officials in Beijing closed the lab of a Chinese scientist who sequenced the virus and barred researchers from working with him.

Scientists warn the willful blindness over coronavirus’ origins leaves the world vulnerable to another outbreak, potentially undermining pandemic treaty talks coordinated by the World Health Organization set to culminate in May.

At the heart of the question is whether the virus jumped from an animal or came from a laboratory accident. A U.S. intelligence analysis says there is insufficient evidence to prove either theory, but the debate has further tainted relations between the U.S. and China.

Unlike in the U.S., there is virtually no public debate in China about whether the virus came from nature or from a lab leak. In fact, there is little public discussion at all about the source of the disease, first detected in the central city of Wuhan.

Crucial initial efforts were hampered by bureaucrats in Wuhan trying to avoid blame who misled the central government; the central government, which muzzled Chinese scientists and subjected visiting WHO officials to stage-managed tours; and the U.N. health agency itself, which may have compromised early opportunities to gather critical information in hopes that by placating China, scientists could gain more access, according to internal materials obtained by AP.

In a faxed statement, China’s Foreign Ministry defended China’s handling of research into the origins, saying the country is open and transparent , shared data and research, and “made the greatest contribution to global origins research.” The National Health Commission, China’s top medical authority, said the country “invested huge manpower, material and financial resources” and “has not stopped looking for the origins of the coronavirus.”

It could have played out differently, as shown by the outbreak of SARS , a genetic relative of COVID-19, nearly 20 years ago. China initially hid infections then, but WHO complained swiftly and publicly. Ultimately, Beijing fired officials and made reforms. The U.N. agency soon found SARS likely jumped to humans from civet cats in southern China and international scientists later collaborated with their Chinese counterparts to pin down bats as SARS’ natural reservoir.

But different leaders of both China and WHO, China’s quest for control of its researchers, and global tensions have all led to silence when it comes to searching for COVID-19’s origins. Governments in Asia are pressuring scientists not to look for the virus for fear it could be traced inside their borders.

Even without those complications, experts say identifying how outbreaks begin is incredibly challenging and that it’s rare to know with certainty how some viruses begin spreading.

“It’s disturbing how quickly the search for the origins of (COVID-19) escalated into politics,” said Mark Woolhouse, a University of Edinburgh outbreak expert. “Now this question may never be definitively answered.”

A security person moves journalists away from the Wuhan Institute of Virology after a World Health Organization team arrived for a field visit in Wuhan in China’s Hubei province on Feb. 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

CLOUDS OF SECRECY

Secrecy clouds the beginning of the outbreak. Even the date when Chinese authorities first started searching for the origins is unclear.

The first publicly known search for the virus took place on Dec. 31, 2019, when Chinese Center for Disease Control scientists visited the Wuhan market where many early COVID-19 cases surfaced.

However, WHO officials heard of an earlier inspection of the market on Dec. 25, 2019, according to a recording of a confidential WHO meeting provided to AP by an attendee. Such a probe has never been mentioned publicly by either Chinese authorities or WHO.

In the recording, WHO’s top animal virus expert, Peter Ben Embarek, mentioned the earlier date, describing it as “an interesting detail.” He told colleagues that officials were “looking at what was on sale in the market, whether all the vendors have licenses (and) if there was any illegal (wildlife) trade happening in the market.”

A colleague asked Ben Embarek, who is no longer with WHO, if that seemed unusual. He responded that “it was not routine,” and that the Chinese “must have had some reason” to investigate the market. “We’ll try to figure out what happened and why they did that.”

Ben Embarek declined to comment. Another WHO staffer at the Geneva meeting in late January 2020 confirmed Ben Embarek’s comments.

The Associated Press could not confirm the search independently. It remains a mystery if it took place, what inspectors discovered, or whether they sampled live animals that might point to how COVID-19 emerged.

Peter Ben Embarek of a World Health Organization team attends a joint press conference at the end of their mission to investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic in Wuhan in China’s Hubei on Feb. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

A Dec. 25, 2019, inspection would have come when Wuhan authorities were aware of the mysterious disease. The day before, a local doctor sent a sample from an ill market vendor to get sequenced that turned out to contain COVID-19. Chatter about the unknown pneumonia was spreading in Wuhan’s medical circles, according to one doctor and a relative of another who declined to be identified, fearing repercussions.

A scientist in China when the outbreak occurred said they heard of a Dec. 25 inspection from collaborating virologists in the country. They declined to be named out of fear of retribution.

WHO said in an email that it was “not aware” of the Dec. 25 investigation. It is not included in the U.N. health agency’s official COVID-19 timeline .

When China CDC researchers from Beijing arrived on Jan. 1 to collect samples at the market, it had been ordered shut and was already being disinfected, destroying critical information about the virus. Gao Fu, then head of the China CDC, mentioned it to an American collaborator.

“His complaint when I met him was that all the animals were gone,” said Columbia University epidemiologist Ian Lipkin.

Marion Koopmans, right, and Peter Ben Embarek, center, of the World Health Organization team say farewell to their Chinese counterpart Liang Wannian, left, after a WHO-China Joint Study Press Conference at the end of the WHO mission in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

Robert Garry, who studies viruses at Tulane University, said a Dec. 25 probe would be “hugely significant,” given what is known about the virus and its spread.

“Being able to swab it directly from the animal itself would be pretty convincing and nobody would be arguing” about the origins of COVID-19, he said.

But perhaps local officials simply feared for their jobs, with memories of firings after the 2003 SARS outbreak still vivid, said Ray Yip, the founding head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outpost in China.

“They were trying to save their skin, hide the evidence,” Yip said.

The Wuhan government did not respond to a faxed request for comment.

Another early victim was Zhang Yongzhen, the first scientist to publish a sequence of the virus . A day after he wrote a memo urging health authorities to action, China’s top health official ordered Zhang’s lab closed.

“They used their official power against me and our colleagues,” Zhang wrote in an email provided to AP by Edward Holmes, an Australian virologist.

On Jan. 20, 2020, a WHO delegation arrived in Wuhan for a two-day mission. China did not approve a visit to the market, but they stopped by a China CDC lab to examine infection prevention and control procedures, according to an internal WHO travel report. WHO’s then-China representative, Dr. Gauden Galea, told colleagues in a private meeting that inquiries about COVID-19’s origins went unanswered.

By then, many Chinese were angry at their government . Among Chinese doctors and scientists, the sense grew that Beijing was hunting for someone to blame.

“There are a few cadres who have performed poorly,” Chinese leader Xi Jinping said in unusually harsh comments in February . “Some dare not take responsibility, wait timidly for orders from above, and don’t move without being pushed.”

The government opened investigations into top health officials, according to two former and current China CDC staff and three others familiar with the matter. Health officials were encouraged to report colleagues who mishandled the outbreak to Communist Party disciplinary bodies, according to two of the people.

Some people both inside and outside China speculated about a laboratory leak. Those suspicious included right-wing American politicians , but also researchers close to WHO.

The focus turned to the Wuhan Institute of Virology, a high-level lab that experimented with some of the world’s most dangerous viruses.

In early February 2020, some of the West’s leading scientists, headed by Dr. Jeremy Farrar, then at Britain’s Wellcome Trust, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, then director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, banded together to assess the origins of the virus in calls, a Slack channel and emails.

They drafted a paper suggesting a natural evolution, but even among themselves, they could not agree on the likeliest scenario. Some were alarmed by features they thought might indicate tinkering.

“There have (been) suggestions that the virus escaped from the Wuhan lab,” Holmes, the Australian virologist, who believed the virus originated in nature, wrote in a Feb. 7, 2020, email. “I do a lot of work in China, and I can (assure) you that a lot of people there believe they are being lied to.”

American scientists close to researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology warned counterparts there to prepare.

James LeDuc, head of a Texas lab, emailed his Wuhan colleague on Feb. 9, 2020, saying he’d already been approached by U.S. officials. “Clearly addressing this will be essential, with any kind of documentation you might have,” he wrote.

The Chinese government was conducting its own secret investigation into the Wuhan Institute. Gao, the then-head of the China CDC, and another Chinese health expert revealed its existence in interviews months and years later . Both said the investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing, which Holmes, the Australian virologist, also heard from another contact in China. But Gao said even he hadn’t seen further details , and some experts suspect they may never be released.

WHO started negotiations with China for a further visit with the virus origins in mind, but it was China’s Foreign Ministry that decided the terms.

Scientists were sidelined and politicians took control. China refused a visa for Ben Embarek, then WHO’s top animal virus expert. The itinerary dropped nearly all items linked to an origins search, according to draft agendas for the trip obtained by the AP. And Gao, the then-head of the China CDC who is also a respected scientist tasked with investigating the origins, was left off the schedule.

Instead, Liang Wannian, a politician in the Communist Party hierarchy, took charge of the international delegation. Liang is an epidemiologist close to top Chinese officials and China’s Foreign Ministry who is widely seen as pushing the party line, not science-backed policies , according to nine people familiar with the situation who declined to be identified to speak on a sensitive subject.

Liang ruled in favor of shutting the Wuhan market at the beginning of the outbreak, according to a Chinese media interview with a top China CDC official that was later deleted . Significantly, it was Liang who promoted an implausible theory that the virus came from contaminated frozen food imported into China. Liang did not respond to an emailed request for comment.

Most of the WHO delegation was not allowed to go to Wuhan, which was under lockdown. The few who did learned little. They again had no access to the Wuhan Institute of Virology or the wildlife market and obtained only scant details about China CDC efforts to trace the coronavirus there.

On the train, Liang lobbied the visiting WHO scientists to praise China’s health response in their public report. Dr. Bruce Aylward, a senior adviser to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, saw it as the “best way to meet China’s need for a strong assessment of its response.”

The new section was so flattering that colleagues emailed Aylward to suggest he “dial it back a bit.”

“It is remarkable how much knowledge about a new virus has been gained in such a short time,” read the final report, which was reviewed by China’s top health official before it went to Tedros.

As criticism of China grew, the Chinese government deflected blame. Instead of firing health officials, they declared their virus response a success and closed investigations into the officials with few job losses.

“There were no real reforms, because doing reforms means admitting fault,” said a public health expert in contact with Chinese health officials who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter.

In late February 2020, the internationally respected doctor Zhong Nanshan appeared at a news conference and said that “the epidemic first appeared in China, but it did not necessarily originate in China.”

A policeman moves journalists back from a farewell event held for the last group of medical workers who came from outside Wuhan to help the city during the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province on April 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

Days later, Chinese leader Xi ordered new controls on virus research . A leaked directive from China’s Publicity Department ordered media not to report on the virus origins without permission , and a public WeChat account reposted an essay claiming the U.S. military created COVID-19 at a Fort Detrick lab and spread it to China during a 2019 athletic competition in Wuhan. Days later, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson repeated the accusation .

The false claims enraged U.S. President Donald Trump, who began publicly blaming China for the outbreak, calling COVID-19 “the China virus” and the “kung-flu.”

Chinese officials told WHO that blood tests on lab workers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology were negative, suggesting COVID-19 wasn’t the result of a lab accident there. But when WHO pressed for an independent audit, Chinese officials balked and demanded WHO investigate the U.S. and other countries as well.

By blaming the U.S., Beijing diverted blame. It was effective in China , where many Chinese were upset by racially charged criticism . But outside China, it fueled speculation of a lab leak coverup.

By the time WHO led another visit to Wuhan in January 2021, a year into the pandemic, the atmosphere was toxic.

Liang, the Chinese health official in charge of two earlier WHO visits, continued to promote the questionable theory that the virus was shipped into China on frozen food. He suppressed information suggesting it could have come from animals at the Wuhan market, organizing market workers to tell WHO experts no live wildlife was sold and cutting recent photos of wildlife at the market from the final report. There was heavy political scrutiny, with numerous Chinese officials who weren’t scientists or health officers present at meetings.

Despite a lack of direct access, the WHO team concluded that a lab leak was “extremely unlikely.” So it was infuriating to Chinese officials when WHO chief Tedros said it was “premature” to rule out the lab leak theory, saying such lab accidents were “common,” and pressed China to be more transparent.

China told WHO any future missions to find COVID-19 origins should be elsewhere, according to a letter obtained by AP. Since then, global cooperation on the issue has ground to a halt; an independent group convened by WHO to investigate the origins of COVID-19 in 2021 has been stymied by the lack of cooperation from China and other issues.

Chinese scientists are still under heavy pressure, according to 10 researchers and health officials. Researchers who published papers on the coronavirus ran into trouble with Chinese authorities. Others were barred from travel abroad for conferences and WHO meetings. Gao, the then-director of the China CDC, was investigated after U.S. President Joe Biden ordered a review of COVID-19 data, and again after giving interviews on the virus origins.

New evidence is treated with suspicion. In March 2023, scientists announced that genetic material collected from the market showed raccoon dog DNA mixed with COVID-19 in early 2020, data that WHO said should have been publicly shared years before. The findings were posted, then removed by Chinese researchers with little explanation.

The head of the China CDC Institute of Viral Disease was forced to retire over the release of the market data, according to a former China CDC official who declined to be named to speak on a sensitive topic.

“It has to do with the origins, so they’re still worried,” the former official said. “If you try and get to the bottom of it, what if it turns out to be from China?”

Other scientists note that any animal from which the virus may have originally jumped has long since disappeared.

“There was a chance for China to cooperate with WHO and do some animal sampling studies that might have answered the question,” said Tulane University’s Garry. “The trail to find the source has now gone cold.”

Cheng reported from Geneva.

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Campus protests over Gaza could affect graduation; Steve Inkseep interviews Blinken

Suzanne Nuyen

Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.

Today's top stories

Hundreds of students have been arrested across the country as pro-Palestinian protests spread nationwide . It's been one week since police cleared an encampment of demonstrators at Columbia University. The students quickly reestablished their encampment. Since then, schools like UT Austin and the City College of New York have organized similar protests against Israel's war in Gaza.

Georgia State Patrol officers detain a demonstrator on the campus of Emory University during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Thursday, April 25 in Atlanta. Mike Stewart/AP hide caption

Georgia State Patrol officers detain a demonstrator on the campus of Emory University during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on Thursday, April 25 in Atlanta.

• Columbia officials on Wednesday gave students 48 hours to disperse, or they would consider "alternative options," NPR's Adrian Florido tells Up First . That deadline is now looming. Protesters suspect they will be forcibly removed, as the encampment is taking place at the center of the school's graduation ceremony location. USC has already canceled its main graduation ceremony. Florido says other schools may begin to do the same because student protesters say they aren't going anywhere.
• Eleanor Stein is a college professor who protested in the Vietnam War as a student in 1968. On Morning Edition, s he  compares her past experience with the what's happening at Columbia today.

After hearing arguments yesterday, a majority of the Supreme Court seemed skeptical of granting former President Donald Trump immunity from prosecution for criminal acts. Trump's lawyers argue that the steps he took to stay in power after President Biden won the 2020 election were part of his official duties, thus, he can't be prosecuted for them. Here's everything you need to know about what the court's decision would mean for Trump — and the presidency as a whole.

• NPR's Nina Totenberg analyzes how the conservative Supreme Court justices' experiences could shape their opinion on Trump's immunity.

New York state's top court has overturned the 2020 felony sex crime conviction of former Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. The New York State Court of Appeals ruled on Thursday that Weinstein did not receive a fair trial in part because the trial judge allowed women to testify about allegations that were not part of the case. Weinstein was one of the most high-profile men accused of sexual assault during the #MeToo movement. Though the appeals court ordered a new trial, Weinstein will remain in prison for a separate conviction from a California sexual assault trial. Editor's note: This report includes descriptions of sexual assault.

• The New York trial judge allowed witnesses to testify to prior "bad acts" under the Molineux rule , whose precedent dates back to the 90s, NPR's Anastasia Tsioulcas reports. But legal experts tell her allowing Molineux witnesses leads to a very subjective decision , which makes a conviction easier to challenge. 

From our hosts

This essay was written by Steve Inskeep , Morning Edition and Up First host. Steve and the Morning Edition team have returned to China — and Steve has noticed it's a lot different than when he was last there five years ago. He'll share some of his observations and what he's heard from locals on Morning Edition today and in the coming days.

Delivery rider in Beijing, China, on April 24, 2024. Stefen Chow hide caption

Delivery rider in Beijing, China, on April 24, 2024.

It's been hard for outsiders to get a firsthand view of China in recent years. First, the country sealed itself off from the pandemic; then, many expatriates left China; and now, though pandemic restrictions were long since lifted, journalists and others don't get in quite as often as at some other times. So we've taken a chance to look around while covering diplomatic meetings: this week's visit by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

One of the ways we've looked at the economy is by talking to delivery drivers, who whiz through the streets on silent motorbikes (all of them electric, by law), delivering meals, groceries, clothes, water cooler tanks and almost anything else. The pay is better than some other jobs — some drivers left their home villages to earn more in the city — though one driver, Liu Shiwei, said business isn't good . As he ate a simple lunch of noodles and beer, he said orders were down, and too many drivers competed for them.

Why are there so many drivers? Liu thinks it's because there's not enough work elsewhere, and he may be right. Last year China's youth unemployment soared so high the government stopped publishing statistics. That's just one sign of the strains on the world's second-largest economy, which has not recovered from the pandemic in the way many of its people wanted.

Steve sits down with Secretary of State Antony Blinken following a meeting between Blinken and China's President Xi Jinping and other top Chinese officials. Listen to Steve's exclusive interview with Blinken here .

Weekend picks

Protagonist Zau, flanked by the Masks of the Moon and Sun he'll use to fight through the enchanting world of Kenzera. Surgent Studios hide caption

Protagonist Zau, flanked by the Masks of the Moon and Sun he'll use to fight through the enchanting world of Kenzera.

Check out what NPR is watching, reading and listening to this weekend:

Movies: The trailers for the Zendaya-led Challengers have been steamy. But the Pop Culture Happy Hour hosts say this terrific new film is so much more than a sexy tennis movie.

TV : Netflix's Baby Reindeer is a dark, haunting story of a comedian who is cruelly stalked by a mentally ill woman. NPR's Glen Weldon writes that it's both troubling and troublesome — because it depicts queer sexuality as something that happens to people.

Books : Amy Tan, best known for writing The Joy Luck Club , didn't set out to write a book in 2016. She was depressed with the state of the world and trying to lose herself in nature through bird watching. That experience inspired her latest book, The Backyard Bird Chronicles .

Music: St. Vincent tells NPR that her newest album, All Born Screaming , is an exercise in "tension and release" — with some moments that play as sonic "jump scares."

Theater: The new Broadway play Stereophonic features music from Arcade Fire's Will Butler. It offers a hyper-realistic look at the costs and glories of making art.

Games : Tales of Kenzera: ZAU has everything you love in a video game: sprawling levels, frictionless movement, frantic combat, and a lush soundtrack. Moreover, its story provides a deep lesson on grief and the power we hold in the face of indescribable loss.

Quiz: The results of each week's NPR news quiz can hit you right in the gut. I was called "wholly adequate" for my 9/1 score. How will you do ?

3 things to know before you go

Rick Mangnall remembers the time he was helped after a serious car accident by two Hispanic men in an old white pickup track. Rick Mangnall hide caption

Rick Mangnall remembers the time he was helped after a serious car accident by two Hispanic men in an old white pickup track.

• Rick Mangnall was stranded on the road in 2008 after a serious car accident. He says he'll never forget the gesture of comfort his unsung hero gave him when two men in a white pickup truck stopped to help. 
• More than 280 popular musicians, including Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan and Diplo, have signed a letter urging lawmakers to reform the concert ticketing system . 
• A Chicago woman is accusing American Airlines of racial discrimination after a flight attendant allegedly confronted her for using the plane's first-class bathroom.

This newsletter was edited by Majd Al-Waheidi .