I posted this source (where one can easily look up test score distribution easily even if they aren’t interested in the commentary.)
Looks like AP Chem has become easier the last two years (based on proportion of students scoring 3-5s):
5 Likes
It is the history tests that have the most remarkable change. What is interesting is that while the number of 3s and 4s skyrocketed, the number of 5s didn’t change much at all.
My understanding is that the test itself didn’t change but they updated the rubric dropping the required number of supporting documents in FRQ/DBQs to 4 (from 7).
1 Like
I have heard this too. Jon B’s post is getting a lot of traction, I expect at some point some colleges are going to take a look at this, especially publics that give quite a bit of credit for 3+.
D25 got 4s on both AP Calc AB and AP Bio. She’s thrilled with Calc, but thought she had done well enough to earn a 5 in Bio. Oh well, she learned so much this year and this is all part of that journey.
4 Likes
Good news on the AP front here…S25 got 5’s on all three exams he took (Econ, Comp Sci A, English Lit). He was surprised about English, but was hoping for a 5 on the other two. He could also have taken Geography and Physics 1, but as exams are optional at his school and we pay out of pocket, we decided those were less useful credits for him. He will do calc based physics this year.
I think his list is pretty much finalized (intended major is applied math or math with applied focus):
Iowa State (this is the super safe/known choice, because his dad and I are alums and his older sister attends also)
Michigan State
University of Minnesota Twin Cities (in-state for us)
University of Wisconsin Madison
WPI (this one feels like an outlier to me…maybe he will drop it?)
Rice
MIT
Rice was a recent add to his list, so I don’t know a lot about it. MIT is of course a highly unlikely possibility…but all the STEM kids dream, right. He is actually visiting there this week though. One of his best friends invited him along for a Boston trip for campus visits. MIT is the only one they are visiting that S25 is actually interested in, but he is happy to tag along for Harvard and Tufts. 
5 Likes
Came through with 5s on APLang and APGov, a 4 on AP Bio… and we will not talk about Calc AB (a 2 - uh, not submitting that if he can avoid it). Such a bummer on that one and it looks like quite the outlier for him overall, especially since he did fine in the class. But he should be pleased with the bio because he didn’t have a great feeling about it when he came home that day.
5 Likes
D25 has an outline for her essay! I’m so excited. That is big progress for her. 2 weeks ago she was saying she wasn’t even going to apply anymore because she “can’t do the essay”. Highly recommend College Essay Guy’s free materials to help with getting started.
12 Likes
D25 got a 4 on AP Calc, a 4 on AP Comp Sci, and a 3 on Lang. Grateful she passed them all. I think it is a good confidence boost to her.
8 Likes
You’d send a 4 anywhere, or just to less selective schools?
Unrelated, if D25 ends up applying to U of South Carolina, I was really hoping she’d get into their honors program. GPA-wise, she’s fine, but her SAT is at 25% (range is 1430-1520). I’m wondering if she needs to reallllly get her SAT up >1500 to qualify for any honors college.
The number of 5’s increased by ~23% . That seems like a lot, though it is a lot lower than the amount of increase for 4’s - ~123%!
1 Like
Without a second thought to every school. Worse case it is neutral.
4 Likes
How did you get that?
APUSH went from 11 to 13
Euro stayed at 13
I would weep tears of joy and happiness if UPS would come in at the price of Rutgers! NJ publics are expensive but better priced than net price calculators are showing me but not too far off. Is your friends kid enjoying their time there?
1 Like
I’m already crying inside that this is the last year of MB! She’s going to be so busy with it plus she hasn’t touched any of the summer work due the first day of school.
1 Like
10.6% → 13% is a ~23% increase. (10.6 * 1.226 = 13)
I guess. (not questioning the math lol.) There is a small swing from year to year. This is a little larger but far from huge in practice, but I was also thinking in aggregate (History) and in contrast with the increase in 4s.
I am more curious on DSAT reports. I am not convinced distribution is the same (as CB seems to claim).
Yes! It is a good fit.
1 Like
A reality check on AP scores: A 3 is considered passing, and certifies that the student knows the material. There is no need to feel ashamed—or any other even fleetingly negative emotion—in the face of a 3.
That some people see a 3 as a failure is a horrifying reflection of how successful the test-prep/essay-coaching/admissions-consulting/et cetera industry has been in convincing applicants and their families that nothing is good enough, and that failure constantly lurks just around every corner.
18 Likes
I get what you are saying but the reality is that, per CB, a 3 should be interpreted as a C/C+/B- so if the bar is simply “passing,” sure, a C is fine.
Hi all!
Been a long time since I posted last. Been a bit of a busy time for me taking on a new job. Spring was also a bit rough for us as DD suffered a pretty severe head injury in her second game of lax which kept her out of school and off the team for several weeks. Made preparing for the APs tough as she was struggling to just keep up with the work from school. She ended up with three 4s (Lang, Physics 1, APUSH) and one 5 (Psych). So up to five 4s (also CSP & World Hist). Five more to go next year.
College list is somewhat finalized–though I think it will shrink a bit (we said 12 was the max).
Carson-Newman
Denison
Elon
Furman
Gettysburg
Ithaca
Miami (OH)
New Hampshire
College of New Jersey
Skidmore
Wake Forest
William & Mary
She has visited most and says she can see herself at any of the above. She says they are more in tiers as opposed to ranks and is waiting to see the financial packages as she knows she had to go the grad school and does not want to stretch the finances (she had a wonderful Financial Literacy teacher and I highly recommend that class if your school offers it!)
Just heard a horror story at my son’s swim meet of a girl who clearly was the victim of yield protection. Really put the fear of God in me about this process. Tons of WLs for schools she was more than qualified for. Ended up at our local directional on a full ride. Ultimately at peace with it, but it was a rough few months and a very bruised ego. But DD will probably take it better than me.
7 Likes