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Anonymous wrote:Freshman got a 5 in AP Gov. Great for her first AP exam!

Our N.VA school district allows you to take AP GOV SENIOR year. Granted I know anyone can self study for an AP test, it is just a bit insane how different things are across the board for when certain classes are taught.

My freshman also got a 5. At their school, all 9th graders take AP Gov. iIt is crazy how different schools do things.

It just goes to show how APs are not truly college-level classes.

Why does it show that? My 9th grader took it and got a 2. Huge history buff, but clearly not ready for that level. By junior year was getting 4s and 5s.

I don't care who got what on the AP exams. I'd rather have the GPA number as I think that is more reflective of whether the material was understood. AP exams are a specific animal and the kids are taught how to take the tests, in addition to the material. So they are not as reflective of material, imo.

You don't have to agree. And that's fine.

My ADHD kid got a B in AP class since has issues turning in homework. I would venture to say his high AP score is more reflective of his understanding than his grade.

100% agree. Arguing that the grades we are all seeing in this ridiculous gradeinflationpalooza are more indicative of subject matter expertise than the AP tests of those classes is ridiculous, tbh.

I agree . DS had a 97% and 98% in his first and second semester APUSH class but got a 4. He is very disappointed because he is into history and the top student in the class. The teacher is a first year teacher and not very smart. I warned DS not to trust that she was covering the material at the depth he would need but he didn’t want to spend extra time self studying. His 4 s far more reflective of his actual ability than the 98% final grade in the class.

I teach one of the AP History subjects. The difference between a 4 and a 5 is very small. It often depends on what the essays happened to be about that year. I tell kids never to count on a 5, but if they are scoring 4 on the practice exam, they have a great shot if it's a good day.

You can't really just study for a 5 in an AP History. You have to have some individual insight and that's not entirely based on studying.

Anyway, the chatter on the teacher FB groups for AP subjects is that College Board is recalibrating scoring to eliminate competition for community college dual enrollment programs. They want the passing percentage for an exam to match what the passing percentage would be in an introductory college course. That's why APUSH pass rates jumped up so much this year.

USH was graded much more harshly this year compared to past year. Scores dropped across the board.

You don't need individual insight, though. You need to summarize and apply the course content in a straightforward way. It's not regurgitation, but it's not insight.
https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap21-sg-us-history.pdf

Anonymous wrote:Am I remembering incorrectly, or did AP tests used to be graded on a bell curve? In the late 90s, I remember our teacher showing us the bell and making a huge deal out of 4s and 5s, along with being very pleased with 3s. Even the ivy bound kids didn't get all 5s. I know the scoring is different now...

Occasional 4 or 3 is not a problem for ivies especially if the 3 is in a difficult subject and not related to the area of study(ie a 3 in Calc BC for an engineering applicant is not good at all; a 3 in APUSh for the same kid is ok). There are now and there were then kids that have a wall of 5s, only 5s, on all the difficult APs , sometimes more than 7 by the end of junior year thus submittable by college app time. Those kids are not common, but back when CB used to count nationally and keep track, having scores of ALL 5s on 8 or more tests after 11th grade was less than 2000 applicants per yr. There was no AP precal or easy APs then so even more impressive when the 8 tests are harder ones. This was as recent as 5 yrs ago. All 4&5 , on 8+, by the end of 11th was more than double that.
The competition is fierce, and will be evident if your kid gets into the ivies/T10 and attends, especially if they are majoring in Stem (harsh curves are always stem). It is no joke.

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Anonymous wrote:Mine has so far gotten all 3's on all AP tests taken, even in the subjects for intended study. Not really a big deal. DC will get some credits for some of the classes, even if just for electives. And would not "test out" of the major classes anyway as the intended grad school paths do not accept AP classes (e.g., you get a 5 on AP bio, you'd still have to take bio in college as the grad schools in this field do not accept your AP score as a substitute).

I wish the scores were higher to score some elective credits. But so far, with AP and DE, DC should have credits for 2 AP classes and 2 DE classes. So we are good with this (we already know where DC is going due to athletic commitment).

Grad school requires Bio 101, but won't accept Bio 102, 201, 301 as substitutea?!

Yeah I’m not sure if this is true. You are telling me a pre med college Bio major with a 5 on the AP Bio exam has to retake it? I’ve literally never heard this and know a ton of smart pre med kids.

Many top colleges do not give credit for their own intro Bio with AP: they may give credit for “Bio 099” that can be used for elective credit, but not the actual college’s first semester Biology. Other top colleges do give credit for the actual intro bio semester: the premed advising will recommend they take semester 2 or other more advanced Bio: cell bio, genetic biology, evolutionary biology, etc. med schools usually want 2 semesters bio in college .

Yes. For DS's top 20 school you can AP test out of Freshman English and language only (for 5s). Can't test out of anything else.

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Anonymous wrote:kid goy 4 in spanish and comp a and 5 in gov and not happy

Is a 4 considered bad? Should DC not list it on his colleges apps?

Absolutely list 4s and 5s.

4 have to be listed, they are very good but 5s are better, my kid has three 4s and one 5 and wanted top 20 so not sure that is now doable..and now demoralized and will have tougher time prepping for the SAT, this is the ugly part of perfectionism, not sure what i can tell them to cheer them up

You need 5s for top 20s? So a score of 4 will disqualify you? This is depressing. My 10th grader was really excited about getting a 4 on their first AP.

No you're fine. Mine submitted mire 4s than 5s and got into T10. Also had unique ECs and national awards though.

AP scores are confirmatory for kids; not a thing that will carry them across the line by itself. 4s and 5s are great even at the top schools because both confirm either the good tests or GPA. Is a 5 better than a 4. Of course. Is there any difference for college admission even for the top 10? No.

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Anonymous wrote:Mine has so far gotten all 3's on all AP tests taken, even in the subjects for intended study. Not really a big deal. DC will get some credits for some of the classes, even if just for electives. And would not "test out" of the major classes anyway as the intended grad school paths do not accept AP classes (e.g., you get a 5 on AP bio, you'd still have to take bio in college as the grad schools in this field do not accept your AP score as a substitute).

I wish the scores were higher to score some elective credits. But so far, with AP and DE, DC should have credits for 2 AP classes and 2 DE classes. So we are good with this (we already know where DC is going due to athletic commitment).

Grad school requires Bio 101, but won't accept Bio 102, 201, 301 as substitutea?!

Yeah I’m not sure if this is true. You are telling me a pre med college Bio major with a 5 on the AP Bio exam has to retake it? I’ve literally never heard this and know a ton of smart pre med kids.

Many top colleges do not give credit for their own intro Bio with AP: they may give credit for “Bio 099” that can be used for elective credit, but not the actual college’s first semester Biology. Other top colleges do give credit for the actual intro bio semester: the premed advising will recommend they take semester 2 or other more advanced Bio: cell bio, genetic biology, evolutionary biology, etc. med schools usually want 2 semesters bio in college .

Anonymous wrote:If kid doesn’t put the AP on their app, can they submit to school later they were admitted to?

yes

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Anonymous wrote:Freshman got a 5 in AP Gov. Great for her first AP exam!

Our N.VA school district allows you to take AP GOV SENIOR year. Granted I know anyone can self study for an AP test, it is just a bit insane how different things are across the board for when certain classes are taught.

My freshman also got a 5. At their school, all 9th graders take AP Gov. iIt is crazy how different schools do things.

It just goes to show how APs are not truly college-level classes.

Why does it show that? My 9th grader took it and got a 2. Huge history buff, but clearly not ready for that level. By junior year was getting 4s and 5s.

I don't care who got what on the AP exams. I'd rather have the GPA number as I think that is more reflective of whether the material was understood. AP exams are a specific animal and the kids are taught how to take the tests, in addition to the material. So they are not as reflective of material, imo.

You don't have to agree. And that's fine.

Bad test taker syndrome …

No. Just an average AP exam taker. Excellent test taker in general.

I wonder how that poster thinks the high GPA people got high GPAs.

FFS, have you spent any time around a high school or high school students in the past 30 years? Apple polishing on steroids has taken over - begging and pleading by students for extra credit assignments, rampant entitlement mindset of the students who advocate for themselves the most ferociously, established makeover assignments, helicopter parent intervention and intimidation, pressure on schools to demonstrate success in meeting educational benchmarks, and on and on and on.

If you're seriously prepared to argue that grade inflation HAS NOT rendered much of what we get from a transcript these days as mostly unreliable, I'm definitely prepared to take you to the woodshed on this topic.

As I've said for the past 30 years, I'll take Applicant A (3.5 unweighted with a 1600 and an unbroken string of 5 scores on 10+ AP tests) ALL DAY LONG over Applicant B (4.0 unweighted with a 1450 and a mix of 3s, 4s, and 5s on 6 - 8 AP tests). For the same reason, I'll always take an applicant with an 88 average in an AP class and a 5 on the AP test over another an applicant with a 98 in the class but a 3 on the AP test or an applicant with a 94 in the class but a 4 on the AP test. All day. Every day.

Grades are directional at this point, nothing more.

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Anonymous wrote:kid goy 4 in spanish and comp a and 5 in gov and not happy

Is a 4 considered bad? Should DC not list it on his colleges apps?

Absolutely list 4s and 5s.

4 have to be listed, they are very good but 5s are better, my kid has three 4s and one 5 and wanted top 20 so not sure that is now doable..and now demoralized and will have tougher time prepping for the SAT, this is the ugly part of perfectionism, not sure what i can tell them to cheer them up

You need 5s for top 20s? So a score of 4 will disqualify you? This is depressing. My 10th grader was really excited about getting a 4 on their first AP.

No you're fine. Mine submitted mire 4s than 5s and got into T10. Also had unique ECs and national awards though.

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Anonymous wrote:Freshman got a 5 in AP Gov. Great for her first AP exam!

Our N.VA school district allows you to take AP GOV SENIOR year. Granted I know anyone can self study for an AP test, it is just a bit insane how different things are across the board for when certain classes are taught.

My freshman also got a 5. At their school, all 9th graders take AP Gov. iIt is crazy how different schools do things.

It just goes to show how APs are not truly college-level classes.

Why does it show that? My 9th grader took it and got a 2. Huge history buff, but clearly not ready for that level. By junior year was getting 4s and 5s.

I don't care who got what on the AP exams. I'd rather have the GPA number as I think that is more reflective of whether the material was understood. AP exams are a specific animal and the kids are taught how to take the tests, in addition to the material. So they are not as reflective of material, imo.

You don't have to agree. And that's fine.

My ADHD kid got a B in AP class since has issues turning in homework. I would venture to say his high AP score is more reflective of his understanding than his grade.

100% agree. Arguing that the grades we are all seeing in this ridiculous gradeinflationpalooza are more indicative of subject matter expertise than the AP tests of those classes is ridiculous, tbh.

I agree . DS had a 97% and 98% in his first and second semester APUSH class but got a 4. He is very disappointed because he is into history and the top student in the class. The teacher is a first year teacher and not very smart. I warned DS not to trust that she was covering the material at the depth he would need but he didn’t want to spend extra time self studying. His 4 s far more reflective of his actual ability than the 98% final grade in the class.

I teach one of the AP History subjects. The difference between a 4 and a 5 is very small. It often depends on what the essays happened to be about that year. I tell kids never to count on a 5, but if they are scoring 4 on the practice exam, they have a great shot if it's a good day.

You can't really just study for a 5 in an AP History. You have to have some individual insight and that's not entirely based on studying.

Anyway, the chatter on the teacher FB groups for AP subjects is that College Board is recalibrating scoring to eliminate competition for community college dual enrollment programs. They want the passing percentage for an exam to match what the passing percentage would be in an introductory college course. That's why APUSH pass rates jumped up so much this year.

No he’s actually quite insightful about history. By self studying, I meant read the books that better schools list as required reading for the class or at least read the text book and do your own practice essays. This teacher gave terms and vocab tests throughout the year. I doubt she could have scored a 2 if her life depended on it. He did fine on the practice test but I’m sure was weak on depth in the essay.

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Anonymous wrote:Freshman got a 5 in AP Gov. Great for her first AP exam!

Our N.VA school district allows you to take AP GOV SENIOR year. Granted I know anyone can self study for an AP test, it is just a bit insane how different things are across the board for when certain classes are taught.

My freshman also got a 5. At their school, all 9th graders take AP Gov. iIt is crazy how different schools do things.

It just goes to show how APs are not truly college-level classes.

Why does it show that? My 9th grader took it and got a 2. Huge history buff, but clearly not ready for that level. By junior year was getting 4s and 5s.

I don't care who got what on the AP exams. I'd rather have the GPA number as I think that is more reflective of whether the material was understood. AP exams are a specific animal and the kids are taught how to take the tests, in addition to the material. So they are not as reflective of material, imo.

You don't have to agree. And that's fine.

My ADHD kid got a B in AP class since has issues turning in homework. I would venture to say his high AP score is more reflective of his understanding than his grade.

100% agree. Arguing that the grades we are all seeing in this ridiculous gradeinflationpalooza are more indicative of subject matter expertise than the AP tests of those classes is ridiculous, tbh.

I agree . DS had a 97% and 98% in his first and second semester APUSH class but got a 4. He is very disappointed because he is into history and the top student in the class. The teacher is a first year teacher and not very smart. I warned DS not to trust that she was covering the material at the depth he would need but he didn’t want to spend extra time self studying. His 4 s far more reflective of his actual ability than the 98% final grade in the class.

I teach one of the AP History subjects. The difference between a 4 and a 5 is very small. It often depends on what the essays happened to be about that year. I tell kids never to count on a 5, but if they are scoring 4 on the practice exam, they have a great shot if it's a good day.

You can't really just study for a 5 in an AP History. You have to have some individual insight and that's not entirely based on studying.

Anyway, the chatter on the teacher FB groups for AP subjects is that College Board is recalibrating scoring to eliminate competition for community college dual enrollment programs. They want the passing percentage for an exam to match what the passing percentage would be in an introductory college course. That's why APUSH pass rates jumped up so much this year.

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Anonymous wrote:Freshman got a 5 in AP Gov. Great for her first AP exam!

Our N.VA school district allows you to take AP GOV SENIOR year. Granted I know anyone can self study for an AP test, it is just a bit insane how different things are across the board for when certain classes are taught.

My freshman also got a 5. At their school, all 9th graders take AP Gov. iIt is crazy how different schools do things.

It just goes to show how APs are not truly college-level classes.

Why does it show that? My 9th grader took it and got a 2. Huge history buff, but clearly not ready for that level. By junior year was getting 4s and 5s.

I don't care who got what on the AP exams. I'd rather have the GPA number as I think that is more reflective of whether the material was understood. AP exams are a specific animal and the kids are taught how to take the tests, in addition to the material. So they are not as reflective of material, imo.

You don't have to agree. And that's fine.

My ADHD kid got a B in AP class since has issues turning in homework. I would venture to say his high AP score is more reflective of his understanding than his grade.

100% agree. Arguing that the grades we are all seeing in this ridiculous gradeinflationpalooza are more indicative of subject matter expertise than the AP tests of those classes is ridiculous, tbh.

So is your position, just b/c it is most beneficial to you and yours.

YOu dont know my kid. My kid's classes. The grades given in those classes. They are not what is being described here. It was hard grades by hard teachers this year. You can dismiss it however you want. But doesn't change my mind. Or the status of what occurred in those classes. So the only ridiculous one is you.

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Anonymous wrote:My kid managed to get into his top choice in 2022 without reporting any scores. I do not understand the anxiety.

It's not about admissions for most kids.

Then what is it about? Why all the anxiety about not getting a five?

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Anonymous wrote:Freshman got a 5 in AP Gov. Great for her first AP exam!

Our N.VA school district allows you to take AP GOV SENIOR year. Granted I know anyone can self study for an AP test, it is just a bit insane how different things are across the board for when certain classes are taught.

My freshman also got a 5. At their school, all 9th graders take AP Gov. iIt is crazy how different schools do things.

It just goes to show how APs are not truly college-level classes.

Why does it show that? My 9th grader took it and got a 2. Huge history buff, but clearly not ready for that level. By junior year was getting 4s and 5s.

I don't care who got what on the AP exams. I'd rather have the GPA number as I think that is more reflective of whether the material was understood. AP exams are a specific animal and the kids are taught how to take the tests, in addition to the material. So they are not as reflective of material, imo.

You don't have to agree. And that's fine.

My ADHD kid got a B in AP class since has issues turning in homework. I would venture to say his high AP score is more reflective of his understanding than his grade.

100% agree. Arguing that the grades we are all seeing in this ridiculous gradeinflationpalooza are more indicative of subject matter expertise than the AP tests of those classes is ridiculous, tbh.

I agree . DS had a 97% and 98% in his first and second semester APUSH class but got a 4. He is very disappointed because he is into history and the top student in the class. The teacher is a first year teacher and not very smart. I warned DS not to trust that she was covering the material at the depth he would need but he didn’t want to spend extra time self studying. His 4 s far more reflective of his actual ability than the 98% final grade in the class.

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Anonymous wrote:Don't be that parent, like the one I just saw, who posted their kid's picture and AP exam scores on SM.

Oh my!

I saw someone on FB who did that too! I thought was so insane I texted about it to my sisters. We all agreed: things are getting way out of control.

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Anonymous wrote:Freshman got a 5 in AP Gov. Great for her first AP exam!

Our N.VA school district allows you to take AP GOV SENIOR year. Granted I know anyone can self study for an AP test, it is just a bit insane how different things are across the board for when certain classes are taught.

My freshman also got a 5. At their school, all 9th graders take AP Gov. iIt is crazy how different schools do things.

It just goes to show how APs are not truly college-level classes.

Why does it show that? My 9th grader took it and got a 2. Huge history buff, but clearly not ready for that level. By junior year was getting 4s and 5s.

I don't care who got what on the AP exams. I'd rather have the GPA number as I think that is more reflective of whether the material was understood. AP exams are a specific animal and the kids are taught how to take the tests, in addition to the material. So they are not as reflective of material, imo.

You don't have to agree. And that's fine.

Bad test taker syndrome …

No. Just an average AP exam taker. Excellent test taker in general.

I wonder how that poster thinks the high GPA people got high GPAs.