AP English Language Test Scoring

Multiple Choice Section: 45 Percent of Total Score

Essay Section: 55 Percent of Total Score

Multiple Choice Section 1:

[Number Correct - (0.25 X Number Wrong)] X 1.2500 = ___________

Essay Section 2:

Total Essay Score (_____ out of a possible 27) X 3.0556 = __________________

Now: Multiple Choice Score + Essay Score = ____________

AP Grade Conversion Chart:

(Note: This chart can change yearly)

Score Range 108-150 = 5

Score Range 93-107 = 4

Score Range 72-92 = 3

Score Range 43-71 = 2

Score Range 0-42 = 1

Sample Scoring Lesson 1:  How It's Done.

Performance:

Multiple Choice: 30 right, 25 wrong (or 55 percent)

[30 - (0.25 X 25)] X 1.2500 = 29.6875

Essay Section: 5, 5, 5 (total score 15)

Total Essay Score 15 X 3.0556 = 45.834

29.6875 + 45.834 = 75.5215 (SCORE 3)

This example also shows the minimum need to pass: About 30 correct multiple choice questions (roughly 55 percent) and an essay score of 15 (or an average of 5).

IMPORTANT: A multiple choice question is either right or wrong. (Years ago questions could be left blank and not be counted against you--but that is no more.) Be sure to GUESS on every question--even those that you don't have time to read. Pick a lucky letter and plug it into every blank.

Sample Scoring Lesson 2:  The Essays Make All the Difference

Performance:

Multiple Choice: 25 right, 30 wrong (or 45 percent)

[25 - (0.25 X 30)] X 1.2500 = 21.875

Essay Section: 5, 5, 5 (total score 15)

Total Essay Score 15 X 3.0556 = 45.834

21.875 + 45.834 = 67.709 (SCORE 2)

Now, let's change the essay score to 17 (or 5, 6, 6). The new section total is 51.9452. Added with 21.875, and new sum is 73.8202 (Score 3).

Each added essay point bumps up the total score by three points. Hence, the difference between a 5 and a 6 can be huge. Now, imagine writing a 7 or 8....

LESSON: Students who struggle with the multiple choice section still have hope. They need to craft three moderately effective essays. Attention in the final weeks should focus in this area. These students also need to leave blank those multiple choice questions over which they don't feel confident. Every quarter-point becomes important when toeing the line.    

Sample Scoring Lesson 3: Earning a 4 or a 5

Performance:

Multiple Choice: 38 right, 17 wrong (or 69 percent)

Multiple Choice Section 1:

[38 - (0.25 X 17)] X 1.2500 = 42.1875

Essay Section 2:

Essay Scores: 6, 6, 6

Total Essay Score 18 X 3.0556 = 55.0008

Now: Multiple Choice Score + Essay Score = 97.1883 (Score 4)

Analysis: Students who get 65 percent of their multiple choice questions correct and average a score of 6 on their essays should expect to earn 4's.

Play with the numbers to see the various scenarios needed to earn a 5. Students getting 45 out of 55 multiple choice questions correct (or 81 percent) would need to average only 6's on their essays to get 5's.

LESSON: 4's and 5's require consistent, exceptional performance in all areas.

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