<p>It seems so so very difficult to get a 4 or 5 when there are so many native speakers in the US who can easily take the AP and skew the results. How hard is it really then?</p>
<p>Especially when I listen to the oral parts, the people who tend to get the highest scores are ALWAYS the native speakers, understandably, but that must put the rest of us at such a bad disadvantage.</p>
<p>It is very possible to get a 4 or a 5 on the ap test, but you have to play to your strengths.
Like on all AP tests, the AP Spanish test can be divided into many categories. You don't need to ace each category to get a 5. Just like on the calculus exam where you can miss all the free response if you ace the multiplce choice, the AP Spanish test is similar.
If you bomb the speaking, you can make up for it if you are a good writer, and vice versa. Many non native speakers make up for their lack of speaking background by doing extremely well on the writing and fill-in section.
Of course, it also helps if you are naturally good at learning languages. A few people have this special ability, and can do moderately well on every section.
Good luck, hope this helps!</p>
<p>It isn't really a bad disadvangtage...the AP test is an exam to test you out of Spanish for colllege. If you know Spanish, native or not, you will get credit. "Skew the results" You're lucky you even get a curve.</p>
<p>I think there's a difference between learning it in school and learning grammar on it to speaking it fluently like native speakers who have been speaking it their entire lives. Only a little. You know? Like maybe we're not as competitive with them as we'd like to be? /sarcasm</p>
<p>Yes I suppose I'll just have to concentrate on the grammar part and listening. Understanding isn't a problem, it's just speaking.</p>
<p>Yea, I don't understand why native speakers take their own language tests. Colleges look down upon a student who does because its just a filler test and it takes higher scores away from the non-natives. The SAT II Spanish curve is only four-800s. Thats horrible. I'd say, if you really know the language and can "decipher" the listening, take it. Otherwise just take the written part (like I am :)).</p>
<p>Oh, btw, is your name actually Meng? I have a friend who's name is Meng as well. I wouldn't ask but I thought it was funny and the name is not that common...</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Yup, but only partially. I'm chinese and it's one part of my full name.</p>
<p>Oh, so am I.</p>