More WCPSS Students Taking AP Exams
September 1, 2009 – Students in the Class of 2009 set records in the Wake County Public School System for the number of students taking Advanced Placement exams and the total number of exams taken. They had the highest average exam score in the last four years and the highest percentage of students earning a score of 3 or higher on the exam in the last four years.WCPSS Participation and Performance in AP exams |
||||
|
Number of students taking exams |
Total number of exams taken |
Percent of exams with scores of 3 or higher |
Average exam score |
2005-06 |
3,621 |
7,176 |
74.7% |
3.30 |
2006-07 |
4,068 |
8,205 |
75.7% |
3.35 |
2007-08 |
4,605 |
9,217 |
74.4% |
3.30 |
2008-09 |
4,849 |
9,800 |
76.1% |
3.36 |
In 2008-09, 4,849 students took 9,800 Advanced Placement exams with 76.1 percent achieving a score of 3 or higher on the exam. The average WCPSS exam score was 3.36.
AP exam grades determine whether a student is qualified to receive college credit or advanced placement into a higher level course in college. The scores are reported on a 5-point scale. A score of 3 or above is required to be qualified.
WCPSS Students outpace students in NC
WCPSS students had a higher average AP exam score than students in NC. A significantly higher percentage of WCPSS students achieved a qualified score of 3 or higher on the AP exams than did students in NC.
Exam Scores for WCPSS and NC |
||
|
WCPSS |
NC |
Average AP exam score |
3.36 |
2.88 |
Percentage of student with 3 or higher score on AP exam |
76.1% |
58.9% |
Environmental Science Popular; Students Successful in Calculus
More than 1,000 WCPSS students took AP exams in Environmental Science; English Language and Composition; Psychology and U.S. History. There were increases of more than 100 students taking AP exams in Psychology, Environmental Science, Human Geography and Statistics.
More than 90 percent of WCPSS students scored a 3 or higher on Calculus BC. More than 80 percent of students scored a 3 or higher on World History, US Government and Politics and Psychology.
More Information Advanced Placement Policy for AP Exams - NC State University Placement Credit - University of North Carolina - Chapel HIll |
More students take challenging courses
In the past ten years, the number of WCPSS students taking AP exams has more than doubled to 4,489 in 2008-09 from 1,798 in 1998-99. The number of exams taken increased to 9,800 from 3,471.
Panther Creek High had the largest increase in number of individual students taking AP exams. The school had 182 more unique students take exams in 2009 than in 2008. Holly Springs had an increase of 75 and Millbrook High, 55.
Panther Creek High also had the largest increase in the number of AP exams taken by students. The school had 322 more exams taken in 2009 than in 2008. Green Hope High had an increase of 172 and Millbrook High, 132.
Students at Enloe High took more exams than other WCPSS schools. Enloe had 824 students take 2,018 exams. Green Hope High had 483 students take 1,138 exams. Broughton High had 405 students take 751 exams.
Apex High had the highest percentage of students achieve a 3 or higher on AP exams with 87.9 percent. Panther Creek High was next with a rate of 84 percent. Cary High had 83.4 percent and Green Hope High, 83 percent.
Advanced Placement Exams
WCPSS students have been encouraged to take more challenging courses such as AP classes, International Baccalaureate classes and Honors classes. By taking more rigorous classes, students get a head start on college-level work, improve writing skills and sharpen problem-solving techniques, develop the study habits necessary for tackling rigorous course work and stand out in the college admissions process. Most AP coursetakers are in grades 11 and 12, although students in any grade may take AP courses and exams.
Many colleges and universities provide credit to students who earn a high score on the AP exams, which are offered by the College Board. All WCPSS comprehensive high schools offer AP courses and exams, although the availability of specific courses varies from school to school. Many students take more than one AP course, not all AP students take the corresponding exams.
-wcpss-