AP Exam Grading: How Do They Do It?

Alright, so I got back a couple of AP tests and I'm a bit confused on how the exams are graded. I hear something about 1-5 scores but not sure how they're determined. Could someone please explain how the AP exam grading system works?

Absolutely, I can help you with that!

AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5. A score of 1 means "no recommendation," which suggests that the student does not appear to be adequately prepared for college-level work in the subject. A score of 2 equates to "possibly qualified," indicating that the student might be able to handle college-level work, but may need additional preparation or support.

A score of 3 is labeled "qualified" and indicates that the student is capable of doing the work for an introductory-level course in college. A score of 4 means "well qualified," indicating that the student has a strong understanding and ability to perform college-level work. Finally, a score of 5 is deemed "extremely well qualified," suggesting that the student is well-prepared for college-level work in the subject.

Now, coming to how these scores are determined. AP exams are composed of a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. The multiple-choice section is machine-scored, whereas the free-response section is scored by college professors and AP teachers during the annual AP Reading held each June. Each answer in the free-response section is scored on a points system, and this score combined with the score from the multiple-choice section gives a raw score. This raw score is then converted to a scaled score between 1 and 5.

So, even though you might not answer every question 100% correctly, you can still achieve a high score on your AP exam. It's all about demonstrating a solid understanding of the course material. Just remember, preparation is key!