Better Rubric, Better Scores
A new DBQ rubric for AP students could lead to higher scores .
The modified AP History rubrics with new DBQ criteria. (College Board)
Since 2013 there has been a 4.2% increase in the pass rate of AP tests. What if there was a way College Board could increase this percentage? Well, they may have found a solution to this problem. In early September, College Board released a new DBQ rubric.
The DBQ is a document-based essay that students must complete during some AP tests like AP World History and AP European History. This seven-point essay can be the difference between a student who passes the exam and one who does not. College Board’s rubric change states that students now only have to support four documents instead of the original six. Also, students only have to explain two documents instead of three. Lastly, they added more ways to obtain the complexity point. All these changes benefit students and may allow students to get their full seven-points, benefiting their overall exam score.
“I suspect this rubric change should make it easier for students to get their points, but I personally think students should still go by the old rubric,” AP European History Juli Williams said. “Students were struggling to get their complexity point and AP readers want to be able to award students the point to them.”
The College Board wants to allow students more opportunities to earn these points. Students will appreciate this change.
“Last year the DBQ was part of the AP World History test I was more anxious about, and although my teacher had tried to fit in practice, I never felt truly confident in my essays,” sophomore Lauren Sams said. “I had completely given up on the complexity point, but with the new rubric it seems more obtainable.”
The modified AP History rubrics with new DBQ criteria. (College Board)
The new rubric is boosting students' confidence about future AP testing. If a student believes in themselves, they will believe they can do better on their AP tests.
“When a teacher told us we were doing a DBQ next class I would try my best to miss that class because they stressed me out so bad,” sophomore Julian Lawson said. “DBQs still aren't my favorite but seem more manageable.”
The changed rubric is showing immediate positive results for students.
“The AP DBQ was already a very hard test before the changes,” sophomore Jonah Derechin said. “Ready to go back on test day in May prepared and relaxed.”
