individual presentation rubric ap seminar

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About the Assessment

The AP Seminar assessment has three parts: two performance tasks—which you’ll complete over the course of the year and submit online for scoring through the AP Digital Portfolio—and the end-of-course AP Exam. All measure your proficiency in the course skills, and all contribute to your final AP score on a scale of 1–5.

Updates to AP Seminar Performance Task

Given the implications of ChatGPT and other similar generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools on the AP Seminar performance task components, we’ve updated the guidance  regarding the use of these tools. These guidelines require your teacher to attest to the authenticity of your work in order for you to receive a score on the associated performance task. Review the AP Seminar Course and Exam Description for the full policy and details.

Assessment Dates

APRIL 30, 2024, 11:59 PM ET

AP Seminar Performance Tasks Due Date

This is the deadline for you to submit your AP Seminar Individual Research Report and Individual Written Argument performance tasks as final in the AP Digital Portfolio.

Tue, May 7, 2024

12 PM Local

AP Seminar End-of-Course Exam 

This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Seminar End-of-Course Exam.

Assessment Components

Team project and presentation.

20% of Score

Work in teams of 3–5 to identify, investigate, analyze, and evaluate an academic or real-world problem, question, or issue. Your team will design and/or consider options, alternatives, or solutions and develop a multimedia presentation to communicate your conclusion or recommendations. The team project and presentation will be evaluated based on the following components:

• Individual research report (1,200 words): scored by College Board
• Team multimedia presentation and defense (8–10 minutes): scored by your teacher

Individual Research-Based Essay and Presentation

35% of Score

College Board will provide stimulus material (texts) representing a range of perspectives focused on a single theme or topic. You will use these texts to identify a research question of your own; research, analyze, evaluate, and select evidence to develop a written argument of your own that you will present; and then you will defend your conclusion. The individual research-based essay and presentation will be evaluated based on the following components:

• Individual written argument (2,000 words): scored by College Board
• Individual multimedia presentation (6–8 minutes): scored by your teacher
• Oral defense (2 questions from the teacher): scored by your teacher

End-of-Course Exam

4 questions 45% of Score

During the AP Exam administration window, you will take a two-hour exam. The exam consists of four questions (three short-answer questions and one essay question). The exam will be scored by College Board–trained readers, similar to other AP Exams.

• 3 short-answer questions: These questions will be based on a single source. You’ll be asked to explain and analyze an argument.
• 1 essay question: This question will be based on 4 different sources, which give different perspectives on 1 theme. You’ll be asked to synthesize information and create an evidence-based argument.

How We Score Your Work

Teacher-Scored Components

The two AP Seminar in-class presentations and defenses are scored by your AP Seminar teacher. Your scores on these components contribute to your final AP score.

Here’s how we make sure that scoring by AP Seminar teachers is standardized:

• AP Seminar teachers use a scoring rubric designed by the AP Program.
• AP Seminar teachers also take part in mandatory training from the AP Program in how to score these components.

College Board–Scored Components

The individual research-based essay, the individual written argument, and the end-of-course exam given in May are scored by College Board. These scores also contribute to your final AP score. All these components are scored by trained, experienced educators called AP readers.

Assessment Essentials

Assessment preparation, ap daily videos.

Once you join your AP class section online, you’ll be able to access AP Daily videos in AP Classroom. AP Daily videos in AP Classroom. AP Daily videos cover every proficiency and skill outlined in the AP Seminar Course and Exam Description. Sign in to access them.

Online Performance Task Coaching

On-demand videos to walk you through performance task directions. These logistics-specific videos will be released throughout the school year on the AP YouTube channel. For in-depth videos to support your learning in AP Seminar, head to AP Daily in AP Classroom.

Free-Response Questions and Scoring Information

Go to the Assessment Questions and Scoring Information section of the AP Seminar assessment page on AP Central to review the latest released free-response questions and scoring information.

Past Exam Questions and Tasks

Go to AP Central to review directions and stimulus materials for the performance tasks, free-response questions from the end-of course exam, and sample student responses and scoring information from previous years.

AP Seminar Course and Exam Description

This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the assessment and AP Program in general.

Services for Students with Disabilities

Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for accommodations for the through-course assessment and the end-of-course exam. If you’re using assistive technology and need help accessing the PDFs in this section in another format, contact Services for Students with Disabilities at 212-713-8333 or by email at [email protected] . For information about taking AP Exams, or other College Board assessments, with accommodations, visit the Services for Students with Disabilities website.

Guidance for Artificial Intelligence Tools and Other Services

Learn more about the AP Program’s policy on generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT).

Credit and Placement

Search AP Credit Policies

Find colleges that grant credit and/or placement for AP Exam scores in this and other AP courses.

Additional Information

Exam: Performance Task 2: Individual Research-Based Essay and Presentation

5 min read • june 18, 2024

Steven Kucklick

Performance Task 2 Overview

PT 2 may seem more intimidating than PT1, especially since you have to do it all yourself. But, don't let the 2000 word paper 👀 or the eight minute presentation scare you off!

Image Courtesy of  Giphy

In a lot of ways, PT 2 should be more familiar to you. Here, you are writing ✍️ a traditional argumentative research paper and then presenting on it. It's pretty much that simple.

Where things can get kind of intimidating is the implementation of the stimulus materials .

These are a collection of articles, poems, videos, songs, or really anything in between, that are meant to guide 👨‍💼 students towards a particular topic.

Using this topics students will brainstorm their own research question and and construct an argumentative paper.

The presentation is simply a place where you can explain your argument and the evidence you chose while demonstrating your knowledge of your thesis ✍️.

Let's work through each section of PT 2 and look at how best to approach it.

Stimulus Packet

Each year the College Board release a set of Stimulus Materials to act as guide 👨‍💼 for students as they choose their topic. Each source that the College Board provides in this packet is based around a large central theme that students should use as a guide while they choose their topic.

Before we get any further, let's look at the 👉  Stimulus Packet from 2019 .

Here we can see that we have 7 different sources. This will be true (as of now) in all stimulus packets.

We can also the variety in sources that College Board provides. We have everything from academic journals to a Bob Dylan song 🎵.

Typically, in Stimulus Packets there will be a peer reviewed article, a historical source , an opinionated argumentative source , a piece of media, and some collections of poetry, music, or fiction.

The great thing about the Stimulus Packet is that you are allowed to go through it with your class and your teacher. As you analyze each source think about the central theme across all sources. In the Stimulus Packet I linked, the central theme is 'change.'

Remember, this theme will be broad, but you should start thinking about topics that fit 👉 👈 within it.

Stimulus Packet is not just there to serve as the topic for PT 2, you will also need to incorporate at least one of the sources in your actual written paper.

Quick tip : I recommend using at least two sources in your paper. That way you are sure to get those points on the rubric.

Because of this, you should also look for a topic that will fit well with some of the sources. Because the sources are so diverse, you shouldn't have too hard of time finding a topic that interests you while still incorporating a source.

Now that we have our big theme, we can move on to topic selection!

Picking your Topic

Now to the most important part of PT2.... picking your topic 😍! Again, you should be brainstorming around the larger topic from the Stimulus Packet and one of the sources within it.

I would recommend doing this with a classmate 👨‍🏫. Having someone you can bounce ideas off of can be really helpful. I would strongly encourage not doing the same topic as classmate so that you don't run into plagiarism issues.

As you're brainstorming topics it's important to remember not to go too big or too small. You should be broad enough that you have enough evidence to use, but specific enough that you don't have too much to talk 🗣️ about.

Don't be afraid to pursue multiple topics and do some preliminary research. Sticking to one topic early can often lead to stress if you can find enough evidence or the right evidence for you.

You should also feel comfortable changing your topic slightly as you do research. As much as your topic should influence your research, your research should also influence your topic.

**Check out the  Big Idea 4 guide to review how to find a good variety of evidence **

Individual Written Argument

Now that we've settled on a topic and we've found good evidence, we can start writing ✍️!!

The Individual Written Argument (IWA) is essentially a standard argumentative research paper where you are arguing for a thesis using claims and evidence.

Your entire IWA sort of rests on your thesis 👀 so it's important get that written first and foremost. The traditional three pronged thesis is of course acceptable, but not required. What should be true is that your thesis needs to outline your entire argument. I should know exactly what you are going to argue just by reading your thesis.

Once you begin writing you are essentially just writing a standard argumentative research paper, even if it is the longest paper you've written.

Here are some things to keep in mind 🤔 while you write:

• The evidence is there to support your claims, just like the claims are there to support your argument. All of these elements need to work together. Don't just make your paper a book report on your evidence. 📕
• Line of reasoning is also crucial for a successful paper. Organize your claims and your evidence in a way that makes sense to the reader. Check out the  Big Idea 2 guide to review line of reasoning. 🤨
• Don't ramble! 2000 words seems like a lot, but you have a lot to talk about! Be thoughtful with your words. ✍️
• I would aim for about 15 to 20 pieces of unique evidence when you go into writing. If you use less, you use less! It's better to be over prepared than under. 💻

Individual Multimedia Presentation

Finally we've made it... the Individual Multimedia Presentation 🗣️! Your IMP will be very similar to the Team Multimedia Presentation. However, instead of arguing for your solution to the problem, you will be arguing your thesis.

A good way to think about this is that you will be translating your paper into an eight minute presentation. You need to explain the importance of your argument while connecting your claims with your evidence 🤝.

You should also take some time to explain the different perspectives of your evidence.

Check out the  Big Idea 5 guide to review good presentation strategies 👨🏿‍💼.

You will also be asked to answer two questions. This is your  Oral Defense  section. These question will ask you to reflect on the research process and how you could extend on your topic.

As always, these questions are available to you. You can find them on page 63 of the  Course and Exam Description.

In Conclusion...

Wrapping things up I want to remind you not to get too stressed out. PT 2 can easily feel very overwhelming, but if you chunk things up and plan, you will be great!

As always the  rubrics  are your friend! Make sure to read them to understand exactly how to get all the points you need.

Key Terms to Review ( 14 )

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• About AP Capstone
• AP Research
• How to Search
• Where to Search
• Evaluating Sources
• Citing Sources
• Notetaking & Outlining
• Designing Presentations
• MHS Library Home

Methacton Documents

• AP Seminar Student Syllabus
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College Board Documents

• AP Seminar Glossary of Terms
• AP Seminar College Board Website
• AP Seminar Brief Course Overview
• AP Seminar Course & Exam Description
• AP Digital Portfolio - Student User Guide

Rubrics for Performance Tasks & Exam

• Performance Task 1 - Scoring Guidelines & Rubric Individual Research Report (IRR) and Team Multimedia Presentation (TMP)
• Performance Task 2 - Scoring Guidelines & Rubric Individual Written Argument (IWA) and Individual Multimedia Presentation & Oral Defense
• End-of-Course Exam (EOC) - Scoring Guidelines & Rubric
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