Key points:
The significance and rigor of AP exams are once again in the spotlight with the release of the latest test scores. Discussions about the new scoring methodology and the streamlining of content continue to place value on a single test score, and forget the primary reason students should take AP and other standardized tests: to get them future-ready in an environment that fosters growth and aligns with college and career experiences and expectations.
A 2021 College Board analysis found that simply completing AP classes and taking the exams made students more likely to enroll in college and excel in introductory courses. That holds true for students scoring a 5 on the test as well as a 1 or 2. There are, of course, financial drivers for students who score well. Strong AP exam scores allow students to earn college credits and potentially skip introductory university courses. High scores across the SAT, ACT, and AP exams can also enhance scholarship applications. In either case, students can save–or earn–more money to help pay for college.
Though these quantifiable benefits are important, the impact of AP exams stretches far beyond college credits and scholarship money. They provide students with an enhanced skill set in critical thinking, time management, strong writing and communication, and problem-solving as a direct result of a learning environment that promotes productive struggle.
Optional advanced coursework that allows for learning through productive struggle seems to be the first to go when districts grapple with budget cuts, widespread school closures, increased teacher attrition, and larger class sizes. As a former principal, I often saw students inclined to drop AP classes when they didn’t perform with the same success they found with other coursework–a mindset reinforced by parents and teachers who didn’t want to push their students past their comfort zones. This potentially sets them up for low performance, as well as a compounded sense of struggle at more critical times in life, such as when preparing for a career in nursing, accounting, or many others that require standardized testing.
I’m not suggesting we let our students fail in their AP classes. There is a threshold. However, we must provide the resources and encouragement to help them surpass their limits and understand that the learning journey is more significant than the final score. This requires parents and teachers to push students beyond their limits and guide them on how to navigate challenges in their coursework. School districts should provide teachers and students with supplemental resources to support the instruction that they receive and what is expected of them. All teachers, even those new to AP, can effectively teach complex subjects with the help of high-quality instructional resources, enabling them to better engage with their students and help them master the material.
After-school programming and nonprofits 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 for students preparing for standardized tests. All of these efforts, plus the encouragement to persevere through AP courses, are vital to the success of today’s students.
Research shows that standardized tests directly correlate to college success. I have found that students who learn how to effectively prepare for rigorous exams derive the most benefits from the studying process. SAT, ACT, and AP exams are not IQ tests with concrete results. Students can improve their scores and work to optimize learning over prioritizing memorization. They must embrace the challenges of exam preparation out of a stronger drive to see improvement, rather than perfection.
The SAT, ACT, and AP exams are a staple in the college admissions process, despite a past movement for universities to shift to a test-blind process. Our classrooms set the standard for the future workforce, so emphasizing rigor through advanced placement courses and challenging exams will help students develop grit and not be afraid to struggle to grow–ultimately benefiting society.
