How are the curves for the make-ups determined?

TheMathProf
Fri, 23 May 2008 19:23:27 +0000

I believe it’s neither, but I really only know how the curve works for the standard exams.

The way they curve it for the standard exams is to have repeating questions. The 2008 AP Calculus MC had approximately six questions that were on the 2007 AP Calculus MC. They take a look at how students who scored 6/6 on those questions appear to be doing in '08, compared it to how students who scored 6/6 on those questions did in '07, and made sure that their achievement was comparable. Similarly, they repeat this process for kids who answer 5/6, 4/6, 3/6, 2/6, 1/6, and 0/6 on those six control questions.

So, in reality, your achievement on an AP test is not based on how well you did compared to a bunch of college students, or how well you did compared to your peers that year, but it’s based on a standard of “how well did I know the subject matter?”

The only reason there’s any curve at all, is so that (a) you don’t need 90% or whatever your school requires to get a 5, and (b) so that you can adjust for differing difficulties of tests, so that a group who gets a harder test doesn’t get penalized.

The reason why they don’t compare you to your peers is so that students who normally would reach the standard but is up against a tough class isn’t denied, and similarly, students who wouldn’t reach the standard but is up against a weaker class aren’t rewarded.