The College Board typically releases sample student responses and scoring guidelines for Free-Response Questions (FRQs) from Advanced Placement (AP) exams several months after the administration of the exams. This timeframe generally falls during the summer following the May exam period, often in June or July. These materials provide valuable insight into the expectations for student performance and the criteria used by graders.
The release of these example responses serves several crucial purposes. Educators can use them to refine their instructional strategies and better prepare students for future exams. Students can analyze the samples to understand what constitutes a strong or weak answer and identify areas for improvement in their own writing and problem-solving skills. This access to scoring standards ensures transparency and helps demystify the grading process. Historically, access to such resources was limited, but the College Board now prioritizes their dissemination to promote equitable access to exam preparation materials.
