Disappointing AP Exam Scores

It Only Means What It Means

Consider Another AP Class

Alternatives to AP

    CLEP Exams

    College Courses

    Dual Enrollment  ​

AP history exams are a measure of exactly one thing.  They measure how well you were able to demonstrate the knowledge and skills assessed on the exam the day you took it.

That's it.

However, people often ascribe extra meaning to an exam.  When we do as well as we want, it makes us feel good, even though that response is irrational.  When we do poorly, those extra meanings can feel like a millstone dragging us down.

AP exams are not measure of intelligence or smarts.  Look, psychologists don't even agree what intelligence is.  A brilliant person who knew nothing about world history would struggle on the AP World History exam.  Why?  Because it's a test of knowledge and skills, not intelligence.  Doing poorly on an exam is not a commentary on your brain.

AP exams are also not aptitude tests.  They are not predictors of how well you will do in life, college, or in your career.  The College Board gathers lots of data on students who take AP exams, and their outcomes later in life.  Their data shows that a student who scores a 1 on on an AP exam is almost 20 percent more likely to go to college than a student who did not take an AP class.  Similar gaps are true for students scoring 2s and 3s.  Their data also shows that students who earned a 2 on an AP exam do better in an introductory college course of the same name than students who did not take AP.  There is no reason to conclude that you're not ready for college just because you didn't pass an AP exam.  It's entirely possible that the opposite is true: you may be more prepared for college because you challenged yourself.  No shame.

There is another important truth that lives here.  AP exam scores don't measure your growth over the year.  They don't measure the accomplishments you had during the class.  I often work with students for a full year, or multiple years, and I am always floored by the improvement they make in real time.  If you developed new study skills, improved your reading skills, or challenged yourself to work harder than you knew you could, well, you already succeeded.  One study focused on students who enrolled in AP classes despite having weaker academic skills.  The researchers found that students who took AP went on to have "greater enrollment in early college courses (and) increased college attendance and completion rates."  The skills you learn in an AP class are skills you can use to succeed for the rest of your life.  Nothing can diminish that.

Finally, AP exams don't measure character.  It is admirable to take on a challenge.  It's admirable to work hard and learn new things.  It is admirable to take a risk on something that might not work out.  Even if it doesn't work out.  And often, it is the setbacks and disappointments of life that help us become the best versions of ourselves.  That doesn't make it less disappointing, but consider your future self.  How will you want to look back on this time?  Do you want to see how this event made you bitter, or how it made you better?  ​

Now that we've got the philosophizing out of the way, we can move on to more practical concerns.  You may be worried about taking another AP classes.  Why set yourself up for more disappointment, right?

It's 100 percent okay to decide AP classes are not for you.  (Scroll down for some good alternatives.)  You absolutely do not have to to ALL. THE. THINGS.  For many students, reallocating the time devoted to an AP class to other activities, like volunteering, clubs, sports, or dual enrollment courses is a smart move.

But, most students who earn a low score on their first exam go on to take another AP class.  Most of those students go on to earn a higher score on their second exam.  I have worked with a handful of students who have jumped several levels between tests.  If you think about it, it makes sense.  There is a bit of a learning curve when you take your first AP class.  You may recall failing a bit at the beginning of the year and needing to find new ways of studying.  You won't start from scratch next time.  You get to take all of your new tools with you, and you'll have them from day one.

If you took an AP history class, you may also want to consider taking another one.  AP US History and AP World History test the same skills and a lot of the same content.  That means that students get a huge advantage if they take both.  You may find that next year's class is significantly easier because of the knowledge and skills you gained this time around.  ​

It is valid to take a single AP, and nationally speaking that's what most student do.  But, you still want to take coursework that aligns with your long-term goals.  If you want to go to college it's important to take rigorous coursework in high school.  This looks good on a transcript and signals to your college that you take academics seriously.  It also pushes you to develop new skills that will help you succeed in college once you get there.

Luckily, there are many ways to challenge yourself.  You can consider taking CLEP exams, college courses, or dual enrollment courses.  ​

CLEP is another exam-based program run by the College Board.  CLEP exams allow students to gain college credit based on their exam scores.  There are CLEP exams for dozens of different subjects.  There are two separate exams for both US History and World History.  Unlike AP exams, CLEP exams only have multiple choice questions.  CLEP exams are also offered all year.

This can be a great option if you were close to the score you wanted.  It can also be good if you are generally good with tests.

There are a few drawbacks.  This is another exam-based credit system.  CLEP tests may not be best for students who do better on projects, papers, or similar types of assessments.  CLEP exams also don't include a course component, similar to the SAT or ACT.  You have to be disciplined about preparing for the entire exam independently.  Like AP, not all colleges award credit for CLEP exams.  Do your research before paying for the exam.

You can find more information about CLEP exams here.  ​

Many technical colleges and universities allow high school students to enroll in classes.  Even better, many high schools sweeten this deal.  For example, you may be able to take college classes during the school day.  Many states provide funds for these classes.  So, you may be able to skip out on part of your school day, earn free college credit, and get high school credits.

Dual Enrollment (DE) is another way to take advanced coursework and earn earn college credits.  Dual Enrollment allows students to earn college credits and high school credits at the same time.  Sometimes, this means taking a college-level class at a university.

There are other options that fall under this umbrella.  They include:

• On-the-job work experience.
• Designated classes at your high school.
• Apprenticeship programs and associates' degree programs.
• Independent studies and online courses.

I help ambitious students improve their skills and master the AP exam.  Learn more here! 

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