Wooster Professor Chosen to Grade AP Chemistry Exam

Paul Bonvallet

If the prospect of taking an Advanced Placement exam sounds daunting, imagine what it must be like to grade it. Paul Bonvallet, assistant professor of chemistry at The College of Wooster, recently experienced that challenge as one of 200 readers of some 93,000 AP Chemistry exams during a weeklong session at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Bonvallet's motive for participating in the process was not to show what he already knew, but rather to learn more about how students are prepared to study science in college. "Having taught introductory chemistry at Wooster, I was interested in learning more about the material and pedagogy from the high school perspective," said Bonvallet. "I now have a better understanding of the experience that many of my students have as they first engage with chemistry at the college level."

Only the finest educators at both the high school and college levels are selected to evaluate the exams, according to Trevor Packer, executive director of the Advanced Placement Program at the College Board, but even they are pushed to a higher level. "The grading was both physically and mentally demanding, but it was also greatly rewarding, both professionally and personally," said Bonvallet. "My fellow readers were among the very best high school and college chemistry teachers that I have ever encountered."

Each year, the AP program gives more than a million capable high school students an opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses and examinations, and, based on their exam performance, receive credit and/or advanced placement when they enter college.