<p>There is a DBQ essay for AP U.S.H. this test not only determines whether I goet into AP Govt/economics, this test determines whether i get an A or an F. (my teacher is a little weird where half your grade is based on the final) our school has a weird way of ending school. we end school in May 16. Our teacher decided that there shood be a final for sum reason before the AP exams. She only allow half the class to get an A and the rest...they basically fail. its either an A or F. She compares the essays to each other and the top half will get an A on the final and the other half is screwed. I am freaking out becuz of this DBQ. She said it is going to be based on a current event article from the L.A Times but did not tell us on the topic. I am in panic. any tips or any advice. i am desparate.</p>
<p>For some reason, that is the most pathetic grading system I've ever heard of in my 17 years of life.</p>
<p>Either an A or an F?! And so half passes and half doesn't...hmm, so lets say your class has 20 students, what about the person to score 11th highest? Does she say, "I'm sorry, you're just 1 under an A, too bad, but its an F for you I guess."</p>
<p>Completely Ridiculous.</p>
<p>Your school is really strange. The only 'current event' article I've seen from the LA Times is the one that's been posted about 10 times (107 kids made a perfect score blah blah)..hmm..do you really think that would be it? Why is she making you all write a DBQ on nothing that has to do with ap us history?</p>
<p>^ dood i know dat ridiculous, but that's our class. any tips please? I am really panicing and stressing on this one dam essay dat will determine my future. </p>
<p>*edit//
ppl have been trying to fire her for a loooooong time. Please help me with any advice to sum how miraculously make the top half...any advice would be appreciated</p>
<p>If in the rare situation you somehow don't make it into the top half (this teacher sounds like a real nut job), go to the administration and contest the grade ASAP. This is obviously not right (A/F, no grey area inbetween, what the hell?), and I believe the admin may be on your side.</p>
<p>seems reasonable as a qualifying exam.</p>
<p>but if thats a test for a grade in your class, thats assinine. if you fail then you should arge that it was unresonable. after arguing with her that its unresonable, you should argue your case with the head of her department</p>
<p>agreed with que. </p>
<p>reasonable for a qualifying exam. ( a little on the harsh side, though) However, if it is your GRADE, you should panic.</p>
<p>"However, if it is your GRADE, you should panic."</p>
<p>lol</p>
<p>that really sucks. If I were you, I would complain to the teacher with all of your classmates. You'll have a very good chance of winning in that unreasonable situation</p>
<p>Until you get something done about this, I think it would be best to become good friends with the teacher.</p>
<p>Ask her one day if you can stay after to review your past essays and go over your strengths and weaknesses so you know exactly what she will be looking for. Make it a point to let her know how important her class is to you and you really appreciate her helping you prepare for the "big essay." Be enthusiastic, smile a lot, and ask questions about what she tells you. Teachers swoon when you do that.</p>
<p>PS - If you really want to impress her, find a "current events" article that is essay-worthy and just write something analyzing/reflecting upon it (even if it is just a few talking points) and ask her to go over it with you. Not only will she give you feedback on your analysis, but she might drop some hints about what the final essay will be like.</p>
<p>PPS - No matter what, do not mention how stupid you think her system is or even say that other students think it's stupid. Keep positive at all times.</p>
<p>are you sure your teacher is serious? thats not right...</p>
<p>slipstream is right, sad as it is, if the teacher decides the grade, don't complain about the system, because then you're screwing yourself over right there. If whatever you do (and slip's idea sounds good) doesn't work, then complain to the teacher, then the department head. However, do all you can to be on a teacher's good side before the test and not her bad side, as she'll be the one deciding whether you pass or fail.</p>
<p>I also agree that it's the dumbest thing I've ever heard to determine a grade. At least you end school an entire month before I do, you can celebrate that.</p>
<p>dam..i took the test today. It was on if U.S should interven in Asian affairs. ridiculous, 45 minutes to write an essay on a article dat was 4 pages long? I think i did ok, but seriously, i am soo nervous. my life is depending on the outcome. im gonna think positive, i will be the top half because for 45 minutes, my mind was a 100 percent on that one question the essay was asking.</p>
<p>a dbq for apush on a current event article in LA Times?
And only half the class will pass?</p>
<p>Oh the stupidity!
Regardless of what your grade ends up being, I suggest you go to the administration because that's ridiculous. Did she tell you this just recently? (about the grading system I mean) I would argue that you entered into the class expecting a reasonable grading system that would truly represents the level of your work (this obviously won't even if you end up with an A...because oversimplifies everything).</p>
<p>isn't a DBQ based on multiple documents (like 10) and not just one? or have things changed since last year's exams?</p>
<p>Nothing has changed. The OP's class is strange. (hey that sorta rhymes..isn't there a word for that? Words that sorta rhyme, but not completely? Hmm)</p>
<p>if you are going to complain, do it through the chain of command...</p>
<p>complain to her first, then to her head of department and only to the admin as a last resort. the admin WILL side with the teacher 99 times out of 100 and you're royally screwed if shes not incredibly nice and forgiving...</p>
<p>im speaking through the voice of experiance...</p>