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4 Facts About AP, IB Test Scores for Parents

By U.S. News & World Report

Many teens received results from spring Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams last week. But some AP students got bad news: They need to retake exams.

The College Board, the organization behind the AP program, informed more than 500 students at Scripps Ranch High School in California that their scores are invalid because the school did not follow a relatively new seating arrangement policy, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

But many of the thousands of students who did receive their scores last week shared a variety of reactions on Twitter.

I PASSED MY AP CALC EXAM!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/o9JXNRz8MQ — Rebecca Hnatyk (@yodawgrebec) July 6, 2017

I PASSED BOTH MY AP TESTS I AM ACTUALLY CRYING I DID NOT WASTE NEARLY $200 — megan henderson (@megxchristine) July 6, 2017

#ibresultsnight #ibresults #whoswho #kinsaystudyante #teameffort #uglycryfordays #dadthough proud of you @jonaamarieex #muyemocional pic.twitter.com/U6pRiEWud0 — Dea (@dea_was_here) July 6, 2017

Parents may be wondering what exactly these scores mean — since AP and IB use nontraditional grading systems. The information below might help.

1. AP grades on a 1 to 5 scale, while IB mostly uses a 1 to 7 range. Parents may be used to the traditional letter grade system of A, B, C and so on that most high schools use. But AP and IB exams are scored using a numerical score, with 5 and 7 being the best score students can receive.

Students aiming to earn the IB diploma have to complete at least six IB courses and some additional components, says Marie Vivas, senior development manager at the International Baccalaureate Organization. And they must earn a combined 24 points from assessments, following all requirements, to receive the diploma, according to the IBO.

[Discover how AP and IB diploma programs offer high schoolers a challenge.]

Among the additional components are an extended essay and the Theory of Knowledge course, which are scored on a letter grade system, Vivas says. Another required component evaluates student’s participation in cocurricular activities and is graded on completion.

2. A student’s final AP or IB score may not be based off just one exam. For most IB courses, students have to complete assessments during the school year in class, along with another outside assessment such as lab work or an essay, Vivas says. This work is in addition to the final exam and contributes to a student’s overall exam score.

While most AP scores are based on a student’s work on final exams, there are some tests that require and evaluate specific assignments completed during the school year, says John Williamson, vice president of AP curriculum and instruction. That includes the AP Research and AP Seminar courses, both elements of the organization’s diploma program.

3. Students may be able to receive college credit depending on their results. Generally, students need at least a 3 on AP exams to try to receive college credit, says Williamson. For IB exams, students need to aim for at least a 4, Vivas says.

But colleges and universities have varying policies for awarding credit, these experts say.

4. Even if a student receives a low score, there are benefits to participating. “Some students are really reaching when they are taking an AP or IB course,” says Karen Nitsch, director of advanced academics at McAllen Independent School District in Texas.

For these students, a 1 or 2 is an accomplishment because it was better than sitting in a regular level class and not aiming to complete the most rigorous courses available to them. They should be celebrated for making it through these classes and participating, says Nitsch, who oversees the district’s AP and IB programs, among other initiatives.

There may be many reasons why a student received a low score: an unprepared teacher could have led the class, for example. She doesn’t recommend parents discourage these students from taking more college-level courses while in high school. Still, students should reflect on why they received a low score.

AP and IB scores are released after the end of the school year, so scores won’t affect high school grades, she says. The actual exam scores don’t affect the college admissions process — unless the student were to specifically send scores to schools they are applying to. Colleges will, however, see the letter grade a student receives for these courses on high school transcripts.

[Get answers for parents about college-level classes in high school.]

The most important part of participating in AP and IB is all the content and skills students were able to learn and practice, she says.

Have something of interest to share? Send your news to us at highschoolnotes@usnews.com

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4 Facts About AP, IB Test Scores for Parents originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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