For almost 50 years, the SAT has played a pivotal role in the college admissions process. The upcoming transition from the traditional paper-and-pencil format to a digital, adaptive SAT marks one of the most significant changes since its inception in 1926. The Class of 2025 will be the first cohort of U.S. students to undergo both the PSAT and SAT in a digital, adaptive format.
Early acceptance rates at these institutions showed a significant advantage over regular decision rates, according to U.S. News data. Though crafting a standout college application can be a time-consuming and stressful process, submitting an application in the fall, well before the typical winter deadline for regular admissions, is possible.Read on to find out more.
Advanced Placement (AP) tests have become a cornerstone of the high school experience for many students aiming to challenge themselves academically and gain college credit. Administered by the College Board, AP exams cover a wide range of subjects and offer students the opportunity to showcase their proficiency in college-level coursework. However, understanding how AP tests can translate into college credits can be a significant factor in a student's academic planning.
One of the last steps on your journey with AP this year is to take your AP Exam(s) this May. Taking the exam gives you the opportunity to save time and money by earning college credit, advanced placement, or both and can help you stand out to colleges. No matter what score you achieve, the experience of preparing for and taking your AP Exam will help you build the skills you’ll need to transition from high school to college.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are rigorous academic courses offered to high school students which are designed to prepare students for college-level coursework, and successful completion of an AP course may result in earning college credit or advanced standing at participating colleges and universities. After completing the AP exam at the end of the course, students receive a score ranging from 1 to 5. A score of 3 or higher is generally considered a passing score, and many colleges and universities grant credit for scores of 4 or 5.
If you have recently received your AP scores, you may be wondering what to do with them. Here are some things to consider:
If you are planning to attend college, it's important to consider your college goals when deciding what to do with your AP scores. Are you hoping to attend a highly selective college or university? Do you have a particular college or university in mind? Different colleges and universities have different policies regarding AP credit, so it's important to research the policies of the schools you are interested in attending. Some schools may require a minimum score of 4 or 5 to grant credit, while others may only grant credit for certain AP courses. Additionally, some schools may only grant credit for AP scores earned during your senior year of high school.
Once you have determined your college goals, it's important to research the AP policies of the colleges and universities you are interested in attending. Many schools publish their AP policies on their websites, and some schools may also provide this information to prospective students during campus visits or information sessions. It's important to note that AP policies can change from year to year, so it's a good idea to check for updates regularly.
Earning college credit through AP exams can have several benefits. First, it can allow you to graduate from college early or to take fewer classes each semester, which can reduce the overall cost of college. Additionally, it can allow you to take more advanced courses in your major or to pursue a second major or minor. Finally, earning AP credit can demonstrate to college admissions officers that you are capable of handling college-level coursework.
While earning college credit through AP exams can be beneficial, there are also potential drawbacks to consider. First, not all colleges and universities grant credit for AP scores, so it's important to research the policies of the schools you are interested in attending. Additionally, some schools may only grant credit for certain AP courses or may require a minimum score of 4 or 5. Finally, earning AP credit may not necessarily mean that you are fully prepared for college-level coursework in that subject area, so it's important to continue to study and to seek out additional resources if necessary.
After considering your college goals, researching AP policies, and weighing the potential benefits and drawbacks of AP credit, you can decide whether to send your AP scores to colleges and universities. The College Board, which administers the AP exams, allows students to send their scores to up to four colleges or universities for free. After that, there is a fee for each additional score report. If you are unsure about whether to send your scores, you can wait until you have been accepted to a college or university and then decide whether to send your scores at that time.
If you did not receive a passing score on the AP exam, you may be wondering whether to retake the exam. The College Board allows students to retake exams in future years, and some schools may allow students to retake the exam during the same year. Before deciding whether to retake the exam, it's important to consider whether you have the time and resources to prepare for the exam again. Additionally, you may want to consider whether the college or university you are interested in attending grants credit for AP scores earned during a retake.
Your high school guidance counselor can be a valuable resource when it comes to deciding what to do with your AP scores. Counselors can provide information about college and university AP policies, as well as offer guidance on how to interpret your scores and how to prepare for retakes if necessary. Additionally, your guidance counselor may be able to provide recommendations for additional resources or support if you are struggling with a particular subject area.
In conclusion, deciding what to do with your AP scores requires careful consideration of your college goals, research into college and university AP policies, and weighing the potential benefits and drawbacks of AP credit. Whether you decide to send your scores to colleges and universities, retake the exam, or seek advice from your high school guidance counselor, it's important to remember that your AP scores are just one factor in the college admissions process and do not define your academic potential or success. With the right resources and support, you can continue to pursue your academic goals and succeed in college and beyond.
Vint Hill Educational Services was designed to provide students with a one-to-one, customized, and supportive tutoring experience, taking into account each student’s skills, challenges, goals, and learning styles. Due to our individualized approach, VHES has demonstrated success in helping students increase their test scores, improve their grades, and adjust to the increasing demands of academia. Our tutors work closely with families to develop the most appropriate lesson plans, focus on the most relevant material, and modify services as needed to ensure that students meet their educational objectives.
Whether a student needs help preparing for exams, making sense of course material, or just getting organized for school, VHES offers specialized services to address each student’s academic needs. These services include Test Prep, Subject Tutoring, Mock Testing, Academic Coaching, and College Planning and Preparation. We also offer a hybrid package that allows students to receive both tutoring and coaching services concurrently. This is a great option for those who need more than just help understanding content or keeping up in class. Tutoring hours are also transferrable if students would like to switch to another service.
Our test-prep program includes a full diagnostic report that shows how the student is performing in each dimension of standardized tests such as the ACT, SAT, SSAT, ISEE and HSPT. This detailed report is the basis for test-prep planning and instrumental in helping us customize a tutoring program that addresses the most pertinent test sections. For students taking both the ACT and SAT, we also provide a concordance chart with test recommendations. In addition, VHES offers students the option to take a practice test at home, in a group setting, or individually with one of our proctors.
We arrange sessions to suit each student’s schedule and preferred location. Most students choose to meet with their tutor in the home once or twice a week, but sessions can also be held at a public library, a local coffee shop, or our office locations if the home is not the best option. Our tutors work directly with parents to arrange sessions that work best with the student’s schedule.
All VHES tutors are required to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and to demonstrate content knowledge by passing multiple subject-specific diagnostic tests. We hand select the best tutor based upon the student’s needs and personality style, and parents will receive the tutor’s profile for review and approval. This profile includes the tutor’s experience, education, background, and approach to helping students succeed. Whether a student wants to brush up on a few concepts or needs intensive instruction in a particular subject, we strive to create an optimal tutor-student fit that is conducive to improved scores and school performance.
VHES offers flat-fee packages with no gimmicks or hidden costs. Each of our test-prep packages includes a baseline practice test, a full set of course books, weekly homework, access to our Teachworks parent portal, and session notes that detail the progress your child is making throughout the program. Extra sessions can be added to any of our packages, while tiered discounts are available for students who need long-term tutoring.
Most importantly, VHES has demonstrated success in helping students reach and exceed their academic goals. We track our students’ scores to ensure improvement and modify programs as needed to resolve any ongoing challenges. Our most recent performance evaluation shows that overall our test-prep students are approximating score increases of 130 total points for the SAT and 4.5 composite points for the ACT. Moreover, our programs equip students with valuable, practical, and long-term skills such as strategizing their approach to exams, optimizing their learning style, studying more proficiently, and managing their time more effectively. We at VHES take pride in the efficacy of our services and the progress of our students.
The Advanced Placement Program® (AP) enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school.
The program consists of college-level courses developed by the AP Program that high schools can choose to offer, and corresponding exams that are administered once a year.
Digital exams are available for 7 AP subjects in May 2023:
AP Computer Science Principles
AP English Language and Composition
AP English Literature and Composition
AP European History
AP Seminar
AP U.S. History
AP World History: Modern
The digital option is available to schools in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.
Digital exams are optional. Schools make local decisions and choose to offer digital, paper, or a combination of paper and digital.
No application is required to order digital exams. The AP coordinator indicates the mode for relevant exams in AP Registration and Ordering.
AP coordinators work with school or district technology staff on the school’s technical readiness for digital testing.
Resources are available to help schools get ready to administer digital AP Exams.
Digital exams are proctored and administered in school on the same schedule as paper exams. They may not be taken at home.
Digital exams include the same number of sections, number and type of questions, question choice (if applicable), and timing as the paper exams.
Students can go back within a section or part to review or complete previous questions. As on the paper exam, students may not return to parts within a section that have already been completed.
Students can use the Bluebook™ testing app on a wide range of devices.
Bluebook requirements are typical of other applications used in schools.
Accommodations such as extended time are provided in Bluebook.
Full instructional planning reports will be available to schools and teachers for students who take digital AP Exams.
There are 38 AP courses in seven subject categories.
Each AP course is modeled on a comparable introductory college course in the subject. Learn how AP courses are developed.
Each course culminates in a standardized college-level assessment, or AP Exam.
AP Exams are given in May each year at testing locations all over the world.
Schools must be authorized by the AP Course Audit to offer approved AP courses and use the AP designation.
Taking AP courses and exams can help students:
Stand out on college applications. AP courses on a student’s transcript shows that they’ve challenged themselves with the most rigorous courses available to them. And success on an AP Exam shows that they’re ready for college-level coursework.
Earn college credit and/or skip introductory courses in college. Most four-year colleges and universities in the United States—as well as many institutions in more than 100 other countries—grant students credit, placement, or both for qualifying AP Exam scores. Search credit policies by college.
Vint Hill Educational Services offers subject-based tutoring in math, science, reading, writing, English, history, and foreign language. Our tutors take subject-specific tests to demonstrate their content knowledge before being hired. We can guarantee they know the content.
Science Tutoring:
Earth Science
Physical Science
Geosystems
Biology
AP Biology
Chemistry
AP Chemistry
Physics
AP Physics
Math Tutoring:
K-7 Math
Pre-Algebra
Algebra I
Algebra II
Geometry
Trigonometry
Statistics
Pre-Calculus
Calculus AB/BC
AP Calculus
Foreign Language Tutoring:
Spanish
French
Latin
German
Writing Tutoring:
Elementary
Middle School
High School
Reading Tutoring:
Elementary
Middle School
High School
Phonics
English Tutoring:
Middle School
High School
AP English
AP Literature and Composition
History Tutoring:
World History
AP World History
US History
AP US History
Government
AP Government
Vint Hill does not just assign any available tutor; we actually handpick the best tutor for your child. Before accepting the tutor, parents receive a tutor profile to review and approve. The tutor matching process consists of the following: subject area knowledge, tutor education, tutor personality, tutor background, student weaknesses, student schedule, and location preference (at our office, in-home, public library, local coffee shop, or virtual).
Parents receive access to our online Teachworks tutoring system and will be able to review tutor session notes, receive session email reminders, plus keep track of session hours used/hours remaining.
For more info, visit us at www.vinthilles.com or contact us here.
If you’re studying for an AP exam right now or are thinking about taking an AP class in the future, you might be wondering: how are AP exams scored?
In this post, we'll break down the scoring process, all the way from the raw scores you earn on the multiple-choice section and essays to how you get a final score on a scale of 1-5. Knowing how AP exams are scored can help you do your best on them—especially if you want a perfect 5!
Each AP test is given a score from 1 to 5. According to the College Board (the group that administers AP tests), these numbers translate in the following ways:
5: Extremely Well Qualified
4: Well Qualified
3: Qualified
2: Possibly Qualified
1: No recommendation
Any score that's 3 or higher is considered a passing score, though some colleges only accept 4s and 5s for credit. (See AP’s college database for specific policies at each university.) Getting a 5 is especially desirable because, for most exams, it puts you in the top 10-20% of scorers.
Your 1-5 score is a scaled score, converted from a composite score. Your composite score is calculated from the total number of raw points you earned from your correct multiple-choice answers and your free response. It’s a bit confusing, but we will guide you through the process!
The majority of AP exams consist of two sections: multiple choice and free response. On some exams each section is weighted equally, whereas on others one section is worth slightly more. You can look up the specifics for each exam on the official AP courses pages.
The multiple-choice section is graded by a computer. There are no deductions for incorrect or blank answers, so your raw multiple-choice score is simply the number of questions you get correct.
The free-response section is graded during the annual AP Reading held in the first two weeks of June. The AP Reading is basically a huge convention. Tons of teachers and college professors gather to grade thousands and thousands of student-written responses for each exam.
This is why you don't get your AP scores until July even though you take the test in May: the written portion of your exam isn't graded until mid-June.
After that, the College Board has to calculate the composite score and final scaled score for each exam, equating the test so the scores stay even from year to year. (For example, they want to make sure a 3 on the AP US History exam means the same thing from one year to another, even if one version of the test turned out to be more difficult for students.)
(Side note: There is a good chance that an AP teacher at your school goes to the AP Reading each year. It can be interesting and helpful to talk to them about what happens at the convention, how quickly free responses are scored, and the best and worse free responses they’ve seen. These are answers that will vary a lot from subject to subject but could ultimately be helpful to you!)
Each free response is given a "holistic" score, meaning it's evaluated for its overall effectiveness or correctness. Typically, points aren’t deducted for the occasional small error, such as a spelling or grammar mistake. Most tests grade their free responses between 1 and 9, with 1 being least effective and 9 being nearly perfect.
Your raw free-response score is the total of the scores you get for each response.
Looking for help studying for your AP exam?
Our one-on-one online AP tutoring services can help you prepare for your AP exams. Get matched with a top tutor who got a high score on the exam you're studying for!
After your multiple-choice section is graded by a machine and your free response is graded by a human, your essay and multiple-choice scores are combined to give you a composite score. This score is just a way of combining the two section scores so that they are weighted correctly. For example, for AP English, multiple choice is worth 45% and free response is worth 55%. Often, composite scores are between 0 and 100, or 0 and 150.
The composite score is then converted to a number on the scaled score range 1-5. This means that for each scaled score, there is a range of possible composite scores that could earn it. For example, a 5 could be any composite score between 110 and 150 on one exam.
Since scaling varies year to year, there are no exact cutoff numbers for scores for AP tests, and the College Board does not release detailed scoring data. Furthermore, you will not see what your composite score was on your AP score report—you'll only get the final number between 1 and 5.
However, many teachers, prep books, and websites have come up with formulas to predict the scaled score for each AP test, which can help when you are grading your practice tests and trying to come up with a target score.
As we've seen, AP test scoring is not exactly straightforward. To help clarify the process, we will walk through a scoring example using the most popular test, AP English Language and Composition.
Also known as the class in which you annotate every. Single. Thing.
Here are the basics of the AP English exam: it has 55 multiple-choice questions, worth 45% of your score, and three essays, worth 55% of your score. Each essay is graded between 1 and 9.
Before we get into the scoring example, remember that this guide is an estimation since score conversions can vary year to year based on test difficulty. While it's impossible to precisely predict an AP test score before you get your score, you can still get an idea of how the process works.
There are 55 multiple-choice questions on the AP English exam. Let's say you get 40 right, get eight wrong, and leave seven blank. Your raw multiple-choice score would be an even 40 points.
Out of the three essays, let's say you earn the following scores from the graders: 4, 7, and 8. This gives you a total raw essay score of 19 (4+7+8).
Now, this is the tricky part in which we will convert each of those raw scores to a single composite score between 0 and 150.
The maximum converted essay score is 82.5, or 55% of 150. The maximum converted multiple-choice score is 67.5, or 45% of 150. To figure out your composite score, use this formula:
(Multiple Choice Raw Score x 1.23) + (Essay Raw Score x 3.05) = Composite Score
In this example, your multiple-choice composite score would be 49.2, and your essay composite score would be 57.95. Thus, your total composite score would be 107 (rounded down).
The last step is easy. Use the chart below to estimate your final AP score (on a scale of 1-5):
Composite Score (0-100 or 0-150)Scaled Score (1-5)104-150592-103476-91350-7520-491
As you can see, your score of 107 would earn you a 5—but just barely!
Again, these numbers are estimates and will shift from year to year based on test difficulty. Since 107 is just over the mark of 104, it's possible that in some years it could net you a 4 instead of a 5.
We’ve learned how to score an AP English Language and Composition exam. However, you can’t use this exact same process for every AP test. Most AP tests have slightly different section weights and question totals, so the scoring formulas are different.
For example, AP Calculus AB has fewer multiple choice questions (45), more free responses (six total), and weighs each section at 50%.
Each AP subject is a unique challenge ... and has its own scoring formula.
So how can you figure out how the AP tests you are taking are graded?
First, if you’re taking the AP class for the test you want to take, ask your teacher if he or she has a formula for converting practice test scores to scaled scores. Most AP teachers have a formula they use with their students for practice exams.
If you’re not taking the class or your teacher doesn’t have a formula, either find a prep book for your specific test or search online.
Remember that all formulas are estimates. So if you really want a 5, you shouldn’t aim for the lowest possible composite—you should aim for perfection, or very close. That’s the only way to guarantee you'll get a 5 on test day.
On the other hand, if you just want to make sure you pass, try to aim for a 4 so that even if you make more mistakes than you're hoping to, you’ll still get at least a 3!
Science Tutoring:
Earth Science
Physical Science
Geosystems
Biology
AP Biology
Chemistry
AP Chemistry
Physics
AP Physics
Math Tutoring:
K-7 Math
Pre-Algebra
Algebra I
Algebra II
Geometry
Trigonometry
Statistics
Pre-Calculus
Calculus AB/BC
AP Calculus
Foreign Language Tutoring:
Spanish
French
Latin
German
Writing Tutoring:
Elementary
Middle School
High School
Reading Tutoring:
Elementary
Middle School
High School
Phonics
English Tutoring:
Middle School
High School
AP English
AP Literature and Composition
History Tutoring:
World History
AP World History
US History
AP US History
Government
AP Government
Vint Hill does not just assign any available tutor; we actually handpick the best tutor for your child. Before accepting the tutor, parents receive a tutor profile to review and approve. The tutor matching process consists of the following: subject area knowledge, tutor education, tutor personality, tutor background, student weaknesses, student schedule, and location preference (at our office, in-home, public library, local coffee shop, or virtual).
Parents receive access to our online Teachworks tutoring system and will be able to review tutor session notes, receive session email reminders, plus keep track of session hours used/hours remaining.
For more information, please contact us here.
High school can be a balancing act. You might be figuring out how to make time for your coursework, extracurricular activities, a part-time job, or spending more time with your friends. Wherever you are this spring, know that you can do it! Whether you’re taking your first AP Exam or your last, here are some proven tactics that will help you be successful and build confidence now and in the future.
Are you ready for your AP Exams? May is a hectic month with tests, finals, and school events, so prepping for your APs early and often will ensure you’ll do your best on these important tests. Here are tips to help you put together your perfect review strategy.
When should I start studying for AP Exams?
Many students start shifting to AP prep mode 1 to 3 months before test day, usually ramping up by spring break. The goal is it give yourself enough time to get used to AP question types, take a few practice tests, review content, and hone your test-taking strategy.
The good news is that all your hard work for your AP classes is setting a great foundation for the AP test. Use your old tests and quizzes to track where you need to strengthen your knowledge and what topics you already know well.
How to study for multiple APs at once:
If you are taking more than one AP test this May, it’s important that you start early and make a schedule to map out your time. To come up with your study plan, ask yourself:
Studying in small chunks keeps the workload manageable, so try to stick to one AP subject per night.
How to Study for AP Exams:
1. Start with old material. Begin by reviewing the material you have already completed in class. Set aside 15 minutes or so each evening to review past work. Refreshing your memory on a regular basis is the best strategy for effective learning.
2. Approach new material with the AP test in mind. You can’t just forget the material once you’ve been graded on it! The AP exam will be the culmination of the entire year. As you master new material, take a few minutes to make notes that you’ll use later for AP Exam review. Highlight the important points of each lesson while it’s still fresh in your mind, and note the areas where you struggled.
3. Don’t overly rely on your high school teacher. Your teacher’s job is to ensure all the subject material is covered—not to help you study. There often isn’t enough time during class to teach the material AND do a thorough review by May.
4. Invest in an AP prep book. A great test prep book will help you review essential content, introduce you to test format and question types, and help you practice for the big day.
.
Stay up-to-date with our newsletter:
Click here to access the parent and tutor login portal
