6 ❯ STEP 1. Set Up Your Study Program
different types of representations, and the other requiring an analysis or creation of an
atomic or molecular view explaining a representation. Finally, there will be a quantitative
question involving reasoning to solve a problem.Who Grades My AP Chemistry Exam?
Every June a group of chemistry teachers gathers for a week to assign grades to your hard work.
Each of these “Faculty Consultants” spends a day or so in training on a question. Each reader
becomes an expert on that question, and because each exam book is anonymous, this
process provides a very consistent and unbiased scoring of that question. During a typical
day of grading, there is a selection of a random sample of each reader’s scores for cross-
checking by other experienced “Table Leaders” to ensure that the graders maintain a level
of consistency throughout the day and the week. Statistical analysis of each reader’s scores on
a given question assure that they are not giving scores that are significantly higher or lower than
the mean scores given by other readers of that question. All these measures assure consistency
and fairness for your benefit.Will My Exam Remain Anonymous?
Absolutely. Even if your high school teacher happens to read your booklet, there is virtually
no way he or she will know it is you. To the reader, each student is a number, and to the
computer, each student is a bar code.What About That Permission Box on the Back?
The College Board uses some exams to help train high school teachers so that they can help
the next generation of chemistry students to avoid common mistakes. If you check this box,
you simply give permission to use your exam in this way. Even if you give permission, no
one will ever know it is your exam.How Is My Multiple-Choice Exam Scored?
You will place your answers to the multiple-choice questions on a scan sheet. The scan
sheet is computer graded. The computer counts the number of correct responses. There is
no penalty for incorrect answers or for leaving an answer blank.How Is My Free-Response Exam Scored?
You are required to answer seven free-response questions. The point totals will vary, but
there is an adjustment of the points to match the assigned weighting of the question. For
example, question #1 may be on a scale of 10 points, while question #2 may be on a scale of
7 points, and question #3 on a scale of 5 points. Since these questions are to count equally,
a multiplier will be used to adjust the points to the same overall value.So How Is My Final Grade Determined and What Does It Mean?
Your total composite score for the exam is found by adding the value from the multiple-choice
section to the score from the free-response section and rounding that sum to the nearest
whole number.
Keep in mind that the total composite scores needed to earn a 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 change each
year. A committee of AP, College Board, and Educational Testing Service (ETS) directors,