Huge increases as 315 Bearcats take AP exams

All year, students had prepared for the AP test; Bearcats gathered outside Bearcat Hall and various other testing locations knowing the next three hours would determine whether their hard work paid off. Classes such as Biology and Chemistry made the journey to Bearcat Hall donning matching shirts; Literature’s fateful march was led by retired Literature teacher Steve Arnette.
The number of students taking AP tests has increased 19 percent from last year, totaling 315 students taking 594 tests. Out of those 315 testers, English Language had the most with 140 tests administered. Most AP classes experienced a significant increase in test takers, but the largest increase was in the Macroeconomics class, with a 142% increase in testers from last year.  Assistant Principal Tom Harrington credits the drastic increases to test prices dropping by $20 due to funding from the District, as well as the fee reduction price being lowered to $10.
Another possible contributor to the testing increase is how prepared students felt for their tests. On a scale of 1 to 5, testers on average reported a 5 on their readiness for their tests.
Two-thirds of testers took more than one test; senior Sal Torres tackled eight tests this season. Students tested for various reasons ranging from receiving college credit to assessing their understanding of a certain subject.
“It’s not the end of the world if you don’t get a 5 or even pass. You’ll be more prepared for the class in college…but give it your all. Make sure you don’t regret anything: i.e. not studying,” junior Ana Mendoza said.
More PRHS students had the confidence to take part in AP testing due to their own perseverance and with the help of Harrington’s mantra: “I am good enough, I am smart enough, people like me, and I got this!”