Take your multiple-choice results and plug them into the following formula (this
formula varies from year to year):(Ncorrect−1/4 Nincorrect)×0.7563=your score for the multiple-choice sectionTake your essay results and plug them into this formula:(Points earned for question 1)(1.50) =score for question 1
(Points earned for question 2)(1.50) =score for question 2
(Points earned for question 3)(1.50) =score for question 3
(Points earned for question 4)(1.00) =score for question 4
(Points earned for question 5)(1.25) =score for question 5
(Points earned for question 6)(1.25) =score for question 6Total weighted score for the essay section =sum of scores for all the questions.
Your total composite score for the exam is found by adding the value from the multiple-
choice section to the score from the essay 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) direc-
tors, experts, and statisticians determines these cutoffs. The same exam that is given to the
AP Chemistry high school students is given to college students. The various college profes-
sors report how the college students fared on the exam. This provides information for the
chief faculty consultant on where to draw the lines for a 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 score. A score of 5
on this AP exam is set to represent the average score received by the college students who
scored an A on the exam. A score of 3 or 4 is the equivalent of a college grade B, and so on.
Over the years there has been an observable trend indicating the number of points
required to achieve a specific grade. Data released from a particular AP Chemistry exam
shows that the approximate range for the five different scores (this changes from year to
year—just use this as an approximate guideline) is as follows:What You Need to Know About the AP Chemistry Exam 7Table 1.2
CHEMISTRYComposite Score Range AP Grade Interpretation
Mid 80s–150 5 Extremely well-qualified for college credit
Mid 60s–mid 80s 4 Well-qualified
High 40s–mid 60s 3 Qualified
High 20s/low 30s–high 40s 2 Possibly qualified
0–high 20s 1 Not qualified
How Do I Register and How Much Does It Cost?
If you are enrolled in AP Chemistry in your high school, your teacher is going to provide
all of these details. You do not have to enroll in the AP course to register for and complete
the AP exam. When in doubt, the best source of information is the College Board’s web site:
http://www.collegeboard.com
Students who demonstrate financial need may receive a refund to help offset the cost
of testing. There are also several optional fees that are necessary if you want your scores
rushed to you, or if you wish, to receive multiple grade reports.