Should I rescore my AP exam?

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

Hello everyone - so this morning I got my AP exam scores and received 5s on APUSH and AP Stats but a 3 on AP Computer Science A. I was really shocked by my AP CSA score because I thought I did extremely well on the exam. Apparently 27% of test-takers got 5s this year and 49% of test-takers got 4s and 5s, which is really high I was extremely surprised because in school I had gotten a perfect MC score and a 5 on the practice exam, and a 100 on my final programming project, and I ended up with a 95 in the class. I also know Python and Swift and I created an iOS app from Swift, so I have a lot of experience with programming. My teacher told me she was almost certain I would get a 5, and I would be fine with a 4, but I received a 3 and I’m both super disappointed and confused about my score. There are students in my class I used to help with in computer science, and they got 4s and 5s, and many were slackers who played games during class and only studied a little.

I think CollegeBoard made a mistake with my FRQ scores because according to online score calculators if I got at least a 37/40 on MC and CB did not include my FRQ score I would have a 3 on the exam, which seems very likely because MC was easy for me. Is it possible that they forgot to add my FRQ score, or the FRQ grader was super harsh and maybe didn’t follow the rubric or something? I know I did well on FRQs because I was able to complete all of them and they were not that difficult.

I’m not sure what I should do now. Should I rescore my AP exam? Or should I cancel it completely and retake the exam next year?

2

You can request the MC be hand-checked, and can request a copy of your FRQ booklet, without scores (I think). They won’t rescore the FRQ.

In my experience, the probability of re-scoring resulting in a score change is pretty close to 0. But it has happened. In both directions. Optical scanners are pretty good, unless you used the wrong kind of pencil or were very sloppy. But if $30 + $10 is worth your peace of mind, then go ahead.

You can take it next year if you’re confident you will retain the material and can do well.

3

The chances of your score changing are close to zero… Also note that your FRQ score is set in stone; it will not be rescored. But if you have the $30 to spend for peace of mind, go for it, but expect no change. You can also pay $10 to get your FRQ booklet, but there will be no marks in it, and as I said, it can;t be rescored.

Regardless, I would not retake the exam. I assume you will be taking other AP classes next year. You should devote your time to those exams rather than trying to relearn material from this year.

4

I’m probably going to end up canceling this test and retaking the AP Computer Science exam next year via self-study because I’m taking CS Principles, my programming prodigy brother is taking AP CSA next year so we can work together, and I am able to retain much of the material. I’m aware that the odds of a rescore of my exam to a higher number is extremely low, so I will likely end up retaking it.