BY CHRISTI HAM
The new school year has begun for almost all students - a brand new start that encompasses MANY brand new experiences and educational requirements.
As the final offering of our Blog Series on the 2020 Advanced Placement Testing Program, it's an important moment to be reminded of that process and to initiate some action for next year's testing based on information and data now available. Being pro-active at the start of this new year will be beneficial come testing time in the Spring.
The AP tests have been administered and students now know their scores and understand the value of the scoring they received. Many remain in high school settings, enrolled in additional AP classes for college preparation and Spring testing.
It is important to take a look at the data resulting from last year's testing to better plan for 2021's experiences to follow. Students should be certain to look at the scores achieved on last year's testing to determine if perhaps results were impacted by the abnormal situation of the 2020 exams. The format was different, the length of each test was different and for many military-connected students, the time they took their tests was completely unique from any former testing experience. Any or all of these could have had an influence on the final outcomes.
In order to best prepare for the 2021 exams, it will be wise to explore both the "regular" AP testing formats and the one that was offered towards the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is no way to determine what the situation will be come Spring, so a double-readiness for either testing format is to each student's advantage.
Fortunately, preparations for one can strengthen the results of the other. Last year's essay response included access to notes and materials to help build the defense responses supporting each essay. Practice in building this kind of an answer should ensure that students develop valuable notes and understand the weighted value of support materials. At the same time, practicing with the standing format for the exams helps engrain those same elements as critical parts of a solid-essay whole. So practicing both is a valuable way to prepare for whatever this school year might bring.
Exploring the results of the test(s) to be taken in Spring will help understand the extent of the impact on student performance and corresponding trends in scores. While there are no certainties, it's important to look at the spread of scores to view how many students achieved the higher scoring despite the circumstances.
Use the experience of last year's testers to determine preparation for next Spring's testing. Take time to challenge responses to questions or essays. Work for complete and well-rounded essay responses in short time intervals. Draw up questions that bring forward the most important materials and then connect those answers together into solid paragraph responses. Use the variety of testing options available to dig deeper into the full understanding of the area of study. The exam will be the best opportunity to demonstrate the broad knowledge and understanding held on the subject.
Look to The College Board website for AP scoring distributions. Explore their AP Data and Overview links. The online source "Early Scores" provides good data on testing results. And turn to School Guidance Counselors for their expertise in determining what material provided from 2020 is of best value in applying to your preparations.
Evaluate student achievement in your state on the exams. Pay attention to the patterns that COVID-19 continues to create, remaining aware of its impact on broad testing decisions. Sharpen your technology skills and your comfort-level of responding fully on-line to any possible testing format. Practice with a timer as your study partner. Build your knowledge base to the level of "subject matter expert", demonstrating confidence as well as strong information to support your ideas and opinions. Be able to speak comfortably on your subject area, to defend your theories and to support your responses with accurate facts and data.
Take this school year to place "advanced" preparation for the Advanced Placement exams. There is enough uniqueness in this school year to challenge even the best of students. Allow enrollment in AP classes to become a certainty that will evidence itself in a solid high score with the release of results next summer. Prepare for any narrative with the exams so that the only surprise that will surface is the delight in a score that merits college credit.