After a long school year with ups and downs and the big AP tests on Monday, May 8, 2024, nationwide AP test scores were released to the students. The experience, the anticipation, the rollercoaster of emotions—this is what the AP scores bring. In the moments leading up to pressing “click to view those scores,” many can see if what they learned and how they performed reflected the score they got.
AP (advanced placement) classes are college-level classes provided by Collegeboard to high school students that allow them the chance to obtain college credit. At West, there are 9 AP class options provided to the student. Overall there are 38 AP classes. AP scores are on a 5-point scale 1 being the lowest 5 being the highest and are made to see how well a student learned the material and how qualified or capable they are in college courses. Although a 3 or higher is a passing score when it comes to college credit for Iowa State University they take 3’s well in some courses they prefer a score of 4 or higher.
This is Mrs. Kavalier’s 13th year teaching AP literature and composition. She shares that the class is more than the score that they got in July but improving as a better reader, writer, and thinker. Comparing her scores to last year she states that her class average went up from 3.0 to 3.26 and one of her many goals is to have no less than a 2 on the exam and this year that goal was accomplished. “…the exam is a SNAPSHOT of the student’s abilities in a timed setting but it cannot convey ALL that they LEARNED and how they are STRONGER as students than they were in August,” says Kavalier.
From 2005 to 2007, Mrs. Even taught AP calculus then Mr. Sinnwell took over, and once he was able to retire Mrs. Even took over the course again. Even stated that calculus is a combination of algebraic skills and geometry as well as graphing skills. When comparing recent scores to the previous year, “WE were above the state average this year as compared to previous years” said Even.
Nyle Vallem is a Senior at West and last year he took AP calculus which he scored a 4. Vallem said ” If I had studied using similar questions to the test, I would have been more prepared for exams on which I received a low score. There are a lot of good resources on YouTube that summarize what information you need to know for each AP test.”
Before Ms.Knight taught AP here at West she taught AP psychology in Michigan for 3 years when she made the move to West she continued teaching AP psychology and it will be her 7th year in the program. Knight shares that she loves psychology and it gives her students the opportunities to gain learning skills that will help them succeed in college and hopes that she will pass on the love of psychology to any student. When diving deeper into Knights scores compared to last year she had 96% of students pass with a 3 or higher and 74% pass with a 4 or higher. “I could not have been prouder of all the hard work and effort of all of the AP Psychology Students. They ate, left no crumbs, and kicked the plate away!” said Knight.
Brayden Ellison is a Senior at West and last year he took AP psychology. Ellison’s advice to students is, “Lock in! It’s a grind and you will want to quit but don’t give up, find a study technique that works for you and use it every time you learn something you will get through it just keep working.” He shares that he struggled for the first couple of months until he sat down with his teacher and created a plan as well as studied more which led him to retain the information that he was learning. Ellison got a 3 and shares that he is content with the score he got and although most students strive for a 4 or a 5 the score he got accurately represents the work he put into the class.
From a 1 to a 5 your knowledge isn’t defined by a number but more of the value or information that you got through those 9 months of learning. Credit or not taking an AP class is beneficial as you’re able to gain lifelong information and skills. So to all those who got their scores over the summer, good job, and for those who are taking AP classes this year and are anticipating what their scores will be. Take your time and focus it might be hard but the work pays off in the long run.
