AP Bio scoring guidelines?

I'm a little bit confused about how the AP Bio exam is scored. Can anyone explain the scoring guidelines or point me to a resource that has a breakdown of the scoring system? Thanks!

The AP Biology exam is scored using a combination of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and free-response questions (FRQs). Here's a brief overview of the scoring guidelines for the AP Bio exam:

1. Multiple-choice questions: The MCQ section consists of 60 questions and accounts for 50% of your total exam score. For each question, you'll earn one point if your answer is correct. There's no longer a penalty for incorrect answers, so it's a good idea to attempt all questions, even if you're not sure of the answer.

2. Free-response questions: The FRQ section is made up of 6 questions (two long and four short) and accounts for the remaining 50% of your total exam score. Long FRQs are worth 10 points each, and short FRQs are worth 4 points each. Scoring for FRQs is based on a rubric that outlines which specific criteria must be met in order to earn the points. These rubrics are created by a group of expert AP teachers and college faculty who closely review the questions and student responses.

After completing the exam, your raw score (the total number of points you've earned from both MCQs and FRQs) is converted to a scaled score, which ranges from 1 to 5. This scaled score reflects your overall performance and is used by colleges and universities to determine AP credit and placement. The following is a general guideline for understanding what each score represents:

- 5: Extremely well qualified

- 4: Very well qualified

- 3: Qualified

- 2: Possibly qualified

- 1: No recommendation

The specific scaled score ranges and corresponding AP score percentages can vary slightly from year to year, but the College Board typically releases updated information after each testing cycle. To find more details about the current scoring guidelines and see official AP scoring rubrics, you can visit the AP Biology Exam page on the College Board's website. Additionally, you can find sample student responses and scoring commentaries, which can give you a better understanding of how FRQs are scored and what you should expect on the exam. Good luck with your AP Biology exam preparation!