2021 AP Seminar End-of-Course Exam Scoring Guidelines

The AP Seminar End-of-Course Exam scoring guidelines provide criteria to evaluate students' performance in Parts A and B of the exam. The guidelines emphasize assessing the preponderance of evidence to award scores.

General Notes

• Scores are awarded based on evidence, or 'best fit.'
• Each row in the criteria is scored independently.
• Scores of 0 are given for off-topic responses, responses in another language, or non-responses (NR).

Part A: Scoring Guidelines (15 Points)

Question 1: Argument, Main Idea, or Thesis (3 Points)

• 0 Points: Irrelevant responses or those that do not relate to the argument.
• 1 Point: Misidentifies the main argument or provides little understanding.
• 2 Points: Partially identifies the argument with inaccuracies or overgeneralizations.
• 3 Points: Correctly identifies all main parts of the argument and demonstrates understanding.

Additional Notes

• Argument/thesis has three main components:
  1. Importance of public libraries as social institutions.
  2. Need for addressing funding reductions.
  3. Libraries as resources promoting equity.

Question 2: Explain Line of Reasoning (6 Points)

• 0 Points: Inaccurate claim identification.
• 2 Points: Identifies at least one claim without connecting claims.
• 4 Points: Limited explanation of claims; some are inaccurately connected.
• 6 Points: Thorough explanation of claims with clear connections.

Authors' Claims

1. Libraries are essential democratic institutions.
2. Libraries bridge technology access gaps.
3. Libraries are underfunded.
4. Poor infrastructure in libraries.
5. Libraries provide critical community services.
6. Underfunding reduces access to necessities.
7. Libraries add economic value.

Question 3: Evaluate Effectiveness of Evidence (6 Points)

• 0 Points: Misidentifies or excludes evidence.
• 2 Points: Identifies evidence but lacks specific evaluative statements.
• 4 Points: Vague assessment of evidence relevance and credibility.
• 6 Points: Detailed evaluation of evidence's role in supporting arguments.

Summary of Evidence

• Discussions include sources like the American Library Association, media stories, and studies on library impact.

Part B: Scoring Guidelines (24 Points)

Row 1: Establish Argument (6 Points)

• 0 Points: No thematic connection to sources.
• 2 Points: Unclear or unrelated perspective.
• 4 Points: Perspective derived from a single source.
• 6 Points: Original or insightful perspective with strong thematic connections.

Row 2: Line of Reasoning (6 Points)

• 0 Points: Off-topic or no reasoning.
• 2 Points: General or confusing commentary.
• 4 Points: Inconsistent links between evidence and claims.
• 6 Points: Logical and organized reasoning with sophisticated commentary.

Row 3: Select and Use Evidence (6 Points)

• 0 Points: Uses one or no sources.
• 2 Points: Misinterpretation or irrelevant evidence.
• 4 Points: Adequate support using relevant information.
• 6 Points: Fully integrates sources into a compelling argument.

Row 4: Apply Conventions (6 Points)

• 0 Points: Off-topic or irrelevant.
• 2 Points: Grammar/style issues affect communication.
• 4 Points: Clear communication with some errors.
• 6 Points: Clear and concise writing with accurate source integration.

The guidelines stress accurate attribution of sources, logical argument development, and effective use of evidence to support claims.