Hey there! I've taken a couple of AP classes and was curious about the grading system. Does the number of students who score a 5 affect the score I might get? And does anyone know how the College Board determines these grades?
Hello! Great question. The grading of your AP exams is based on a system called criterion-referenced scoring. This means that the score you receive is not dependent on how other students perform, but rather on your own performance as it aligns with the set criteria for each score value (1-5).
The AP exams are composed of multiple-choice sections and free-response sections. Each section contributes a certain percentage to your final score. For instance, on some exams, the multiple-choice section might make up 50% of the score, and the free response section might make up the rest.
Your responses in the free-response section are scored holistically by a team of trained readers (educators who have experience teaching the subject). These readers apply a detailed rubric to each response. These rubrics are specifically designed to measure your understanding and application of key concepts and skills covered in the AP curriculum. This means that you aren't simply awarded points for getting the correct answer, but also for demonstrating a clear comprehension of the course content.
The multiple-choice portion is scored by machine, with each correct answer earning one point. Incorrect answers and questions left blank do not affect your score.
After you’ve received points for both sections, the College Board combines these two scores into a composite score, and this composite score determines your final AP score on the 1-5 scale. The College Board has pre-determined cutoffs for each AP score. The great part is, the scale does not change based on how other students perform.
Passing grades (3 or higher) can potentially earn you college credit or allow you to place out of certain introductory college courses, but this varies by university. Using this grading system, the College Board ensures that each student's score is reflective of their understanding of the course material, rather than their performance relative to their peers.
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