Anyone Know The Grading Curve For AP Chem?

doh_1
Thu, 10 May 2007 08:14:37 +0000

The AP Chem test, like every other standardized test, will grant percentile ranks and then distrbute those percentile into (appx.) 5 quintiles that we know as a 5,4,3,2, and 1. However, the exact score required depends on the difficulty of the exam. In my opinion, the MC will be fairly consistent in difficultly from other comparable exams (2002 for instance), but the FRQ will be extremely difficult to predict based on previous years. In fact, I think the FRQ average is decrease this year due to several factors.

1. Descriptive Chem: Its already a section where student barely get by. With no choice of reactions, not knowing the name of an organic or misreading a complex ion loses you 5 pts (ouch).

2. Lab section is moved from an essay to a math question. Students typically have difficultly with lab questions as it is. Forcing them to apply both lab skills and mathematical formula involves forcing them to connect each experiment to its chemical and mathematical basis - something that is sometimes difficult for them to do.

3. No choice of 2/3 math quesitons and 5/6 essays means students no longer can get away with knowing 75% of the exam - they must know everything.

4. Equilibrium hurts many students anyway, so no help there.

Unless of course, the CB anticipates these factors and makes the 2007 exam EASIER in degree of difficulty to make up for the format changes that make it harder. But then the question comes in - did they overcompensate? Did they underscompensate. Truly, the only way to go this year is to really know your stuff.