During the first two weeks in May, Eastview High schools students and other schools around the country will be participating in AP testing to test the knowledge they have accumulated over the course of the school year. The AP courses have a wide variety of options ranging from Psychology to Economics to Studio Art to many more.
Throughout the four years in high school, students have the option to enroll in AP classes. At Eastview, US History is typically taken during ones sophomore year of high school if a student chooses to take the advanced course.
AP testing is scored on a five point scale. Different colleges require different scores but a three is passing. Depending on the test, college credit is given for a passing score. The format of most tests consists of a multiple choice section and free response questions or frq’s.
People typically partake in between one and eight AP tests over the course of their high school careers. Amanda Beckman, a senior at Eastview, has taken four beginning with US History her sophomore year. During her junior year, she took AP European History and AP Language and Composition. Finally as a 12th grader, she is going to take the AP Psychology test next week.
There are many advantages of AP testing. All the money you could possibly save is one reason Beckman enrolled in the class. Jenna Dockter, another senior at Eastview, described the AP testing in another way. She believes that it is a good way to learn how to study for a cumulative test. She has learned to understand the concepts the first time so it is easier to remember when studying for the AP test. This skill will be beneficial for college classes as well.
With these advantages come the disadvantages. Beckman explained the independence of these types of courses. AP test scores rely on the amount of effort students are willing to put into it. During the course, studying and reading are optional but recommended as they help in the long run for students. Although studying and reading seem ideal for a guaranteed passing score, but Beckman went on to explain that all this preparation takes a lot of time out of your night. You have to prioritize with other assignments and classes to pick where you want to succeed. Another disadvantage of AP testing is the lack of recognition based on the grading scale.
“As AP classes have a more rigorous coursework, you still receive the same grade as students in a non AP class,” complained Dockter.
It seems irrational and unfair. Many schools tried to solve problem by creating an honors rank. Students enrolled in two or more honors classes during the school year are compared separately on scale.
Rebecca Lieffort, an AP Psychology teacher at Eastview High School enjoys teaching the elective, a non-required class. Her students are eager to learn about the course material because they chose to take the class. After teaching this course for 7 years, she has figured out the proper procedures for preparation for the AP tests. She refers to herself as the “vocab drill sergeant” making her sure her students know every definition in the book.
Lieffort also includes a free response section on every unit test. This helps students become familiar with this type of testing format on the AP test. Dockter is a student of Lieffort’s and she believes that the constant essays have helped her and prepared her for the overall test.
Throughout the course of the school year, AP student’s final test occurs during the first two weeks in May. This can add a lot of pressure and work for these students but can result in college credit that saves money. Overall, the variety and advantages of AP testing can be very beneficial for high school students.
