By Emily Wood
 
February 4, 2010
 
MEDFORD, Ore. - According to a new study released this week, the failure rate for Advanced Placement tests is rising nationwide.
 
The USA TODAY study says two out of five high school students are failing the final AP exam. In Oregon, 35 to 44.9 percent of students are failing the test.
 
The college board grades AP exams on a scale of one to five. Three is considered passing, but many colleges will only accept a four or five for college credit.
 
Educators say they are not surprised by the increase, especially because more students are enrolling to beef up their college applications. Students argue the failure rate is a reflection of how AP classes are taught.
 
"The classes are just not focused enough on what the AP test is exactly. I know for AP biology there was just so much information, that I couldn't remember it all. So if the class was structured more on how the test would have been, I think I would have been more successful," North Medford Senior Hillevi Johnson said.
 
Medford, Phoenix, Eagle Point, Ashland and Grants Pass school districts all offer AP courses.