2015 AP Physics C Exam Repeats Problem from 2002 Exam

lenzlaw
Tue, 19 May 2015 17:20:31 +0000

Has anyone else noticed that the 2015 AP Physics C Electricity & Magnetism Exam repeats a free-response question from the 2002 exam? Both exams are publicly posted on the College Board’s website:

2015 Exam: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/2008.html
2002 Exam: http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/157190.html#name02

Specifically, free response question #3 is not just a similar problem, but the same problem right down to the numbers given.

Because the 2002 Exam and its solutions were available well before the 2015 Exam, students who used the 2002 exam for practice or whose teacher reviewed the 2002 Exam were essentially given the answer to one of the three 2015 Exam free response problems!

How in the world can this exam be scored fairly? While no student cheated, the effect is the same as if a significant but unknown number of students were given the answer to a question beforehand. No amount of statistical manipulation can correct for that blatantly unfair advantage. The blame lies entirely with the College Board people who put the 2015 Exam together. They need to publicly acknowledge the problem and explain to all test taker, AP Physics teachers, and college admissions and placement staff what they are about it.