wildchartermage

If I wanted to get a 5 on AP exams, do i need at least 70% correct on multiple choice questions and 70% on free response? or is the percentage higher?
if anybody know more about the scoring of the exams, please post here and answer my questions!

piccolojunior

Yes. On some tests (calc bc, physics C) you don't even need 60%

doctordestiny

It changes from year to year based on the relative scores of other test-takers, I believe. But the shift is minimal - the percentages you gave seem to be about right for most exams.

wsuwarrior10

I cant remember (been a few years since I took one) but isnt it top 20% gets a 5, next 20% gets a 4, next 20% a 3, and so on?

wildchartermage

I'm going to take AP Calculus AB, Ap Physics B, and AP US History this year.
wsuwarrior10, i don't think so, because on the college board website about the distribution of the score, there seems to be a significant difference of percentage between all those scores. but still, someone said the curve is VERY generous, but how generous?

proletariat2

The amounts you need may vary from 50%-80% depending on the test. "Harder" tests have more generous curves; "easier" tests have tougher curves.

Tikimoof

It really depends on the test. On something like AP Macroeconomics, your score only matters in ranking you (only the top 6.5% get 5s, and only the top 20% will get 4s or 5s). I think the English Language and US History APs are similarly competitive.

On other, less competitive tests, percentages start to vary more. Generally, I've heard that the harder math and science APs give more generous curves, while ones like English will require higher percentages for high scores.

lunar_years

Damn. I'm taking English Lang and APUSH.

Tikimoof

The statistics for those tests still aren't that bad. I seem to remember 5s on English Lang (according to CollegeBoard) being 12.5%, so it's not nearly as scary. And US History's scores are apparently limited because entire states are required to take the test. But if you study (and don't blow it off), you'll most likely do fine.

I also made a mistake, it's US Government that severely limits 5s, not Macro Eco.

mydixiewrecked

my physics B teacher says even if you get 50% of the multiple choice you can get a 5.

Tikimoof

You'd have to get a really good score on the free response to get a 5 at that point. I went to some AP review sessions for Physics B last year, and the number for a 5 they kept hovering at was about 70% on both sections.

I definitely wouldn't blow off studying for Physics due to the number of formulas and random minutiae they put on the test.

apocalyptic13

i'm in Vancouver and taking Cal AB, Physics B and Chem this year. i have to learn by myself this year....
mydixiewrecked : u sure?
i'd hurry up...haven't even started learning those subjects.........

Gryffon5147

No, its based on what you wrote on your fill in sheet...

Basically ethnicity: Asian: -15, White: -10, Hispanic: +10, African American: +15
Place of residence: California: -10, Alaska/Montana:+5
City of residence: Los Angeles: -5, Farm town in middle of nowhere: +10
Level of Parent education: Grade school: +15, Graduate school: -10

Why do I feel like screwing around today??? lol

P.S. Actually for Macroeconomics 14.1% get 5's, and 24.4% get 4's. Anything lower and you're not trying...

wildchartermage

oh gosh, gryffon2147, that seems really discriminatory and unfair to take points off based on race, residence, and background. i'm an asian, and would be certainily very upset if they actually took points off just because i'm an asian!!!!! I just can't help it that I was born an Asian, not a black girl!
looks like that the conlcusion is that it got to be about 70% on all the tests at lesat to get a 5.

Zamzam

From the grading sheet of a practice AP Bio exam I took, there were 150 possible points, and you only had to get 91 (or >60%) of the points to get a 5.