As AP exams conclude for the year, the grading system used for these tests becomes a topic that is growing in popularity amongst students. While many know that they are graded on a 1 to 5 scale, what each number on that scale represents is a lesser-known fact amongst the test-taker body. The grading system used for AP tests has stayed the same since the system was first introduced in 1954 by CollegeBoard.
Each number on the AP grading scale corresponds to the test-taker’s level of proficiency in the course’s content, comparable to the corresponding college course. A score of 3 is the minimum score considered a passing grade while anything above that is considered proficient, and anything below is considered not proficient. The only situation where a test score will not be given is in the event that the test taker has either cheated or violated CollegeBoard’s policies surrounding AP exams – this will result in your test getting cancelled and the score being recorded as a fail.
While many view an AP test score of 1 or 2 negatively, students who get an AP score below a 3 often get a better grade on their next AP test and are more likely to graduate college than non-AP test takers, according to CollegeBoard. “Taking your AP Exam and giving it your best effort sets you up for greater success in future AP classes and for a smoother transition to college,” according to CollegeBoard’s website. CollegeBoard also goes on to say that most college students who got a 2 on an AP test said that they are doing “well or very well” in the corresponding college classes. Despite the fact that students may not receive the grade they wanted on an AP test, persevering through difficult classwork and taking the exam is what the experience of taking an AP class is all about, says CollegeBoard.
“It’s actually not bad, at least from what we know and the way our AP teacher explained it,” FHS junior Akhil Pathapati said. “The AP testing scale is a lot different than the school grading scale. For example, if you’re scoring a 70% on MCQs for an AP test, that’s probably getting you a 3, 4 or 5, whereas that would probably get you a C at school.”
Through the years, this consistent grading system has been used reliably to give students an accurate representation of their performance on the exam, along with their knowledge on the course content. Many believe that the 1 to 5 scale of grading AP exams is a more generous way of giving students test scores, compared to the standard letter grade system that is implemented in most schools, leading to its general regard as a useful, concise and informative system.
