[ceejayoz]

> In AP classes, most high school students earn As from their teachers (I estimate around ~60%). Yet, when you look at the AP scores, few get 5s on exams (the equivalent of an A).

There's absolutely no problem with this.

Your grade in your AP class is a measurement of your achievement at the high school level. An A indicates you did what's expected of you as a junior/senior in high school.

The AP exam is measuring whether you achieve at a first year college level enough to skip that first year in the subject.

More people should get As in AP Physics than get 5s. If they measured the same thing you wouldn't need the AP exam.

[bradwschiller]

This is false. AP classes are meant to be college-level classes. The goals of these classes is to earn scores that yield college credits. The tests exist to provide some form of standardization around understanding a student's performance against a standard in these classes. AP exams are not measured on a curve like an SAT (although even the SAT has massive score inflation. AP exams are measured against a standard for learning – and the standards are clearly not being met as clearly evidenced by the scores. Similarly grades are meant to be a measurement of learning against a standard. Yet, grades have increased and learning outcomes have not increased. This is a fact.

[ceejayoz]

> AP classes are meant to be college-level classes.

They are high school classes at an honors level that may generate college credit. A two on the exam is deemed “possibly qualified” to skip a year of college, for example, but colleges won’t take it. Many won’t take the three score’s “qualified” either.

For purposes of your GPA and high school physics, that’s not a D.

The AP physics exam gives you a 5 if you miss like half the questions, too. That doesn’t fit a ten point GPA scale very well.