Key points:
The importance and rigor of the AP exams are once again in the spotlight with the release of the latest test scores. Discussions about new grading methodology and content streamlining continue to valorize a single test score and forget the primary reason students should take the AP and other standardized tests: to prepare them for the future in a environment that promotes growth and aligns with academic and professional experiences and expectations.
A university advice 2021 analysis found that simply taking AP courses and passing the exams made students more likely to enroll in college and excel in introductory courses. This is true for students who score a 5 on the test as well as a 1 or 2. There are, of course, financial factors for students who score well. Performing well on AP exams allows students to earn college credit and potentially skip introductory college courses. High scores on the SAT, ACT, and AP exams can also improve scholarship applications. Either way, students can save or earn more money to pay for college.
While these quantifiable benefits are significant, the impact of AP exams extends far beyond college credit and scholarships. They provide students with an enhanced skill set in critical thinking, time management, strong writing and communication, and problem solving, a direct result of a learning environment that promotes productive struggle.
Advanced elective courses that enable learning through productive struggle appear to be the first to be cut when districts grapple with budget cuts, widespread school closuresan increase in teacher attrition and larger classes. As a former principal, I often saw students inclined to drop out of AP courses when they did not achieve the same success as with other courses – a mindset reinforced by parents and teachers who did not want to push their students out of their comfort zone. . This potentially exposes them to poor performance, as well as an increased sense of struggle at more critical times in life, such as when preparing for careers in nursing, accounting, or many others that require testing standardized.
I am not suggesting that we let our students fail their AP courses. There is a threshold. However, we must provide them with the resources and encouragement to help them overcome their limitations and understand that the learning journey is more important than the final score. This requires parents and teachers to push students beyond their limits and guide them on how to meet the challenges in their classes. School districts should provide teachers and students with additional resources to support the instruction they receive and what is expected of them. All teachers, even those new to AP, can teach complex subjects effectively using high-quality teaching resources, allowing them to better interact with their students and help them master the material.
After-school programs and nonprofit organizations also play a crucial role in providing essential resources that may not be available in schools. Many providers collaborate with local organizations to offer academic support to students preparing for standardized tests. All of these efforts, along with encouragement to persist in AP courses, are essential to the success of today’s students.
Research shows that standardized testing is directly correlated with college success. I have found that students who learn to prepare effectively for rigorous exams benefit the most from the study process. The SAT, ACT, and AP exams are not IQ tests with concrete results. Students can improve their scores and work to optimize learning rather than prioritizing memorization. They must face the challenges of exam preparation with a stronger drive for improvement rather than perfection.
The SAT, ACT and AP exams are a critical part of the college admissions process, despite a previous trend of universities moving to a blind testing process. Our classrooms set the standard for tomorrow’s workforce, so emphasizing rigor through advanced placement courses and challenging exams will help students develop grit and not be afraid to strive to grow, which will ultimately benefit society.
