AP World ~ Raw Score Mistake?

<p>A lot of people have posted the following information, in regarding to making certain scores on the AP World History exam:</p>

<p>Raw Score (including -0.25 for each wrong answer) x 0.8571 =
DBQ Grade x 2.2222 =
Compare and Contrast Grade x 2.2222 =
Continuity/Change Over Time Grade x 2.2222 =
Add them all together without rounding till the end.</p>

<p>74-120 = 5
60-73 = 4
43-59 = 3
27-42 = 2
0-26 = 1</p>

<p>This makes NO sense to me for the following reasons:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>The range for a score of 5 is so much higher than the range for the other four scores; why would they offer such a window for making a higher grade?</p></li>
<li><p>This system makes it almost impossible NOT to pass. Here is why:</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Assume I ended up with a score of 25 on the multiple choice (with 11.25 deducted for guessing). Then I got a 4 on each of the essays (really bad).</p>

<p>That would give me a raw score of 70-- a 4?!?! And, on that, only 4 points away from a 5?! No. That makes NO sense at ALL. Usually, when people make 3s and 4s, they at least try, and, honestly, if you studied for this exam, I don't see how it's possible to get anything less than a 5 when reviewing the above instructions for grading.</p>

<ol>
<li>If this is the system they go by, wouldn't the curve make it even easier to pass?</li>
</ol>

<p>Does anyone else agree with me here? I feel like someone just made that equation up-- otherwise, the Barron's book would explain it.</p>

<p>The lowest percent correct for a 5 on an AP test is usually between 50 and 70%. Yes, we’re all aware that’s really low (although it’s really not as generous as it seems).</p>

<p>And your math is just… not right. Your example gives you a raw score of 48, which is a low 3.</p>

<p>You’re right. I don’t know how I did that wrong, but, regardless, that is still an insane grading scale.</p>