There’s a measurable difference between the majority of AP® exam scores and class grades. Historically, AP class grades tend to be higher than exam scores. In recent years, this gap has noticeably widened. The causes behind this issue are complex and multifaceted. Most discussions focus on grade inflation, but some go as far as to suggest that teachers who feel guilty about giving low grades or feel pressured into giving higher grades are to blame. That’s just one of several misconceptions that don’t get to the heart of the matter. So, what really are the root causes of these AP discrepancies1? Teachers Are Too Lenient … Because They Have to Be In an education system influenced by external pressures — state funding,2 educator pay,3 and evaluations tied to student outcomes — AP teachers often feel compelled to award higher grades
Get ready! The 2025 AP exam season is bringing some big changes you and your AP students need to know about. The College Board® is fast-tracking its shift to the BluebookTM platform for all AP testing. This includes moving 16 AP exams — including AP Psychology, AP Literature, and AP English Language — to a fully digital format. Subjects such as AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics 1 will have a hybrid approach with digital questions and paper-based free-response question (FRQ) sections.1 Beyond the shift to digital testing, however, the College Board is also implementing major content and formatting updates to multiple exams. These updates will impact the way students engage with the material, how they are assessed, and the strategies educators use to prepare them. They are designed to enhance the clarity and focus of each course, ensuring
The College Board®’s 2024 recalibration of AP® exam scores for nine popular courses has drawn considerable interest among educators. These adjustments, rooted in the Evidence-Based Standard Setting (EBSS) process, maintain the integrity of AP scores by aligning them with consistent student performance data rather than fluctuating grading trends. Changes focus on ensuring that AP scores truly reflect students’ content mastery. Understanding the 2024 AP Score Recalibration Process The EBSS process is a robust method that draws on extensive data and input from a large pool of experts.1 Unlike traditional panels that typically include a small group of educators, the EBSS process leverages a much broader base, utilizing fine-grained student performance data to set more precise performance standards. One of the key strengths of EBSS is its ability to prevent the drift of AP scores over time. By anchoring performance standards
Decades of research show that students of color face systemic barriers that result in underrepresentation in Advanced Placement® (AP) courses. In fact, Black students make up 15% of the student population but only 9.5% of students enrolled in AP courses. AP automatic enrollment can address this issue by granting equal access to challenging academic opportunities. Educators can support this initiative by utilizing tools that provide the necessary support for all students to succeed. Let’s explore the benefits, challenges, and strategies that will open the door to advanced learning opportunities for all students. What Is AP Automatic Enrollment? AP automatic enrollment is a policy that automatically enrolls students in rigorous AP courses if they perform well in their prerequisite classes or on standardized tests. This approach aims to eliminate biases and ensure that all students with academic potential are given equal
Reduce AP® student stress & overwhelm with strategies to create a supportive learning environment and teach students how to cope with high school stress.
From open communication to tech integration, learn how to build a supportive AP® community with strategies for administrators and teachers.
Discover how implementing small groups into your AP® classroom can help you support your students by closing learning gaps.
Discover 10 effective strategies educators can use to help high school students take ownership of their own learning with intrinsic motivation.
Increase AP® success with data-driven instruction. Learn how to help teachers identify student needs, tailor instruction & enhance performance.
Discover 5 ways district and campus administrators can support new AP® teachers with UWorld’s Online Teaching & Learning Tools for AP Courses
