Guess What? Taking AP Exams Just Got Easier

You are the perfect example of "dumbing down".

Chuck:
The only way the exam would be more difficult is if the reduction in the number of multiple-choice questions means that there will be more essay questions.
Some kids are great with multiple-choice questions, but can't spell or form a coherent sentence.

Where did you get the idea that the test takers won't be allowed to skip questions?
They would be foolish to want to do that.
Since they won't be penalized for incorrect answers, the 25% chance of getting a correct answer by guessing is better than skipping the question.

You don't get extra points on AP, SAT or ACT for being gay...they don't even ask that question. Nor do you get extra points towards college admission.

"You don't get extra points on AP, SAT or ACT for being gay...they don't even ask that question. Nor do you get extra points towards college admission."

What on Earth are you gibbering about? Nothing in the article or my reply has anything to do with that. 'Gay', as obsessed as you are about it, was never mentioned in my comment.

I did say this: "When you lower standards to help little Johnny score higher because his group (race/ethnicity/tribe, religion, class, sex/sexuality) does poorly..."

It was a reference to the article. The article, if you read it, was about making the test easier by taking away the penalty for wrong answers (guessing penalty). This was done to help 'disadvantaged'/'oppressed' groups. There was nothing in the article about taking the same test and awarding extra points based on group status. I suggest you read my original comment again to understand how this hurts the intended beneficiary (disadvantaged student) and other students.

Actually, it does.

It seems our educational system needs to inaugurate classes in proof reading, however.

And we really need remedial reading classes taught with a hickory stick.
I am tired of hearing "he axed her", "she axed them."
It always raises mental pictures of Lizzy Borden in my mind.

Sorry for the typo.
It should be "this", not "his".

I'm a teacher and I have to tell you, many teachers worry about parents coming in and giving them grief about their student's grades and why they don't have an A. I had one mother come in during conferences and throw her special ed daughter's report card at me and tell me, "You're the only teacher who didn't give her an A. Why not?" In my class, an A still means superb, excellent, really knowing the information. I don't care about your self-esteem. It's called "self" for a reason. Too many teachers feel that it's their job to make the student feel good about his/her self or don't want to deal with the parents and their unrealistic expectations of their child. Then when you base a teacher's job partially on how well the principal "thinks" they are doing a job, you will have more and more teachers giving undeserving students As and Bs simply to keep the parents happy which in turns keep the principal happy and allows them to keep their job. And dumbs down the entire education system.

I completely agree and wish more teachers were like you. Just going through the motions means nothing. Teachers are not therapists, they are there to educate children. Children need to focus on learning and if they are not getting grades their parents feel are acceptable... the parents need to work with their children and the teachers to see where the disconnect is taking place or if the parents themselves are being unrealistic. It has become far too easy for parents to just blame the teacher, a school's budget or even other students when it comes to their childrens poor grades.

Parents need to accept the fact that no matter how people toss around sunny notions, not every student can be an A student... nor do they all want to put in the effort required to be an A student. Handing that status to them when they have not truly earned it is a major hindrance to their educational career and sets them up for failure in many other ventures in life.

thank you so much for agreeing! i have been taking ap tests throughout high school and im about to enter into my senior year. this change in the AP exams GREATLY reduces stress, especially to students taking multiple AP exams, like myself. too bad this change came when i only had one year of high school left...