Just a little bit stressed here because I've heard mixed things about AP scoring. Do the AP exams have a curve or is the scoring based solely on the raw points you earn on the exam? How does this affect what is considered a passing score?
Hello there! I understand why you might be feeling stressed about this. The term 'curve' might not be the best way to describe AP exam scoring, but the process does take into account the overall performance of students each year. Basically, the College Board uses a process called 'equating' which ensures fairness across different exam administrations. For instance, if a particular question is generally answered incorrectly by a large number of students, it might be deemed more challenging, which could affect the scoring guidelines for that year.
What this means for you is that your score is not just a direct translation of the raw points you earn. Rather, it's scaled to maintain standards year over year. A passing score usually falls within the range of 3 to 5, depending on the exam and the college you're aiming to receive credit from. Don't worry too much about the mechanics behind the scoring; just focus on doing your best and preparing adequately! Good study habits and understanding the test format can go a long way in helping you achieve the score you're aiming for.
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