AP Statistics

About the AP Statistics Course

The course introduces students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data.There are four themes in the AP Statistics course: exploring data, sampling and experimentation, anticipating patterns, and statistical inference. Students use technology, investigations, problem solving, and writing as they build conceptual understanding.

Students who are enrolled in AP Statistics are expected to:

• Describe patterns and departures from patterns;
• Plan and conduct a study;
• Explore random phenomena using probability and
simulation; and,
• Estimate population parameters and test hypotheses.

College Course equivalent

The AP Statistics course is equivalent to a one-semester, introductory, non-calculus based college course in statistics.

Prerequisites

Students must have taken second-year algebra before enrolling in AP Statistics.

How AP exams Are Scored

AP Exam Readers are thoroughly trained, and their work is monitored throughout the Reading for fairness and consistency. In each subject, a highly respected college faculty member fills the role of Chief Reader, who, with the help of AP Readers in leadership positions, maintains the accuracy of the scoring standards. Scores on the free-response questions are weighted and combined with the results of the computer-scored multiple-choice questions, and this raw score is converted into a composite AP score of 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1. In general, an AP Exam score of 5 is equivalent to the average score among college students earning grades of A in the college course. Similarly, AP Exam scores of 4 are equivalent to college grades of A−, B+, and B. AP Exam scores of 3 are equivalent to college grades of B−, C+, and C.

Using and interpreting AP Scores

The extensive work done by college faculty and AP teachers in the development of the course and the exam and throughout the scoring process ensures that AP Exam scores accurately represent students’ achievement in the equivalent college course. While colleges and universities are responsible for setting their own credit and placement policies, AP scores signify how qualified students are to receive college credit or placement.