So about an hour ago I went online and checked my AP US History scores. When I saw the score I let out an audible gasp. It was a 1. I was (and still am) completely bewildered. From what I understand it is genuinely hard to score a one, afterall you could literally only write your name on the test and get the same score. There are a number of reasons why the score came as a shock.
First, I had worked hard in the class; reading the textbook, paying attention in class, and taking pretty good notes. I earned a very high B in the class.
Second, I spent about 6 hours studying for the test in the weeks leading up to the test including taking practice tests, among other things. When the test day finally arrived I felt like I knew the content very well.
Next, I took the AP Human Geography test the previous year and scored a 4 despite being less prepared than I was for this test.
Last, I came out of the test feeling pretty confident and optimistic about the scores. I took all of the aulauded time, I knew all the frq topics and remembered to include the correct conventions. I genuinely felt like I had done a good job.
So my question is:
WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED???
The exam was ridiculously easy. Everyone in my class, even those barely failing the class thought it was easy. But guess how many passed? Maybe a few. As of now, I only know of 1 other person in my class who got a 5. The curve was extremely harsh, and people took advantage of the simplicity of the questions. The test-takers were generally harsher because they couldn’t let everyone get a passing score. Although your answers must have been great, the majority of weight of the score came from the free response, and so the graders were not appealed by your answers. (maybe because of the handwriting, the organization, the content?)
However, a 1 does seem ridiculous for your credentials. I would highly recommend getting a rescore. Maybe they lost your MC or some other free response? Maybe your rescore graders will be less harsh. If you get a rescore, then I’m sure your score will improve. It’s only $30 if your score doesn’t change at all but I believe it’s free if it improves. Go for it!
Don’t worry about it too much anyway. AP Scores are only a small portion of what college admissions see. Just keep moving forward and focus on your SATs and ACTs!
Thanks for your answer. One thing that you wrote interested me particularly. You said that organization and handwriting may have contributed. This is a little concerning for me because in general my handwriting is pretty slopy but given the time limit during the frqs it may have been borderline unreadable. I know they say they wont grade handwriting but if they cant read some of the content I guess they have no choice but to take off points.
If I get my test rescored do you think it will change given the delima above?
@MozzarellaCheeze Almost positive. There is no way anyone could a 1 with how much effort you put into it. Even if the case is that they couldn’t read your handwriting, if you get it rescored, I’m sure they would try to understand what you put down. After all, the AP readers should be less cranky. And as I said, they might have just misplaced your Multiple Choice or something like that. Go for it. You have nothing to lose except for $30 ONLY IF they make no changes!
Around what score did you feel you got when you left the testing room? Because it seems SO weird that put in the work, but got a 1… I also took APUSH this year, and I have to say the class was SO stressful for me too.
Personally, I thought the exam was ridiculously easy compared to previous years. I ended up getting a 5. If I had taken the 2015 exam, I probably would have gotten a 4. But my class was a joke. The only reason I got a 5 was due to Adam Norris.
@MozzarellaCheeze @ObitoSigma
I thought that for rescore requests only the MCs get rescored, and not the FR.