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Glitches in Online A.P. Tests Add to Students’ Anxieties Glitches in Online A.P. Tests Add to Students’ Anxieties
(3 days later)
Julia Rock-Torcivia had everything in place for her Advanced Placement chemistry test.Julia Rock-Torcivia had everything in place for her Advanced Placement chemistry test.
She taped a handwritten sign to her bedroom door that said “Stop!” in a warning to family members not to disturb her.She taped a handwritten sign to her bedroom door that said “Stop!” in a warning to family members not to disturb her.
The family’s two yappy dogs — Stella and Nixie, a terrier mix and a pug-Labrador mix — were relegated to a room from which they could not see squirrels. Her parents and sister had agreed not to use the Wi-Fi so they would not slow down the connection.The family’s two yappy dogs — Stella and Nixie, a terrier mix and a pug-Labrador mix — were relegated to a room from which they could not see squirrels. Her parents and sister had agreed not to use the Wi-Fi so they would not slow down the connection.
The exam started well, she said. But, with six minutes left, she tried to upload a photo of her answers, and the “submit” button froze.The exam started well, she said. But, with six minutes left, she tried to upload a photo of her answers, and the “submit” button froze.
She ran into the living room, sobbing.She ran into the living room, sobbing.
“Everyone was yelling out suggestions: ‘Turn the Wi-Fi on and off! Do this and do that!’” she said, as her mother, father and sister hovered over the router trying to help.“Everyone was yelling out suggestions: ‘Turn the Wi-Fi on and off! Do this and do that!’” she said, as her mother, father and sister hovered over the router trying to help.
Nothing worked. Time ran out. Her test was invalid.Nothing worked. Time ran out. Her test was invalid.
Julia, a 17-year-old junior at Morris Hills High School in Rockaway, N.J., soon realized it was not just her: Students in her class, and thousands across the country, had also experienced problems with their A.P. exams.Julia, a 17-year-old junior at Morris Hills High School in Rockaway, N.J., soon realized it was not just her: Students in her class, and thousands across the country, had also experienced problems with their A.P. exams.
Technical glitches during the online exams were the latest problem students have confronted as they navigate testing, college applications and college visits remotely during the coronavirus pandemic.Technical glitches during the online exams were the latest problem students have confronted as they navigate testing, college applications and college visits remotely during the coronavirus pandemic.
Testing problems have heightened stress for students and families figuring out a process that’s anxiety-inducing even under the best of circumstances.Testing problems have heightened stress for students and families figuring out a process that’s anxiety-inducing even under the best of circumstances.
The College Board, a nonprofit organization that administers the A.P. exams, said that submission issues had affected fewer than 1 percent of the roughly 2.2 million tests taken this week and that students would have the opportunity to retake tests next month.The College Board, a nonprofit organization that administers the A.P. exams, said that submission issues had affected fewer than 1 percent of the roughly 2.2 million tests taken this week and that students would have the opportunity to retake tests next month.
“We share the deep disappointment of students who were unable to complete their exam — whether for technical issues or other reasons,” Zach Goldberg, a College Board spokesman, said in a statement. “We’re working to understand these students’ unique circumstances in advance of the June makeup exams.”“We share the deep disappointment of students who were unable to complete their exam — whether for technical issues or other reasons,” Zach Goldberg, a College Board spokesman, said in a statement. “We’re working to understand these students’ unique circumstances in advance of the June makeup exams.”
The College Board said on Sunday that beginning Monday, if students are unable to upload their responses to the exam website, they can submit them by email immediately after the exam.The College Board said on Sunday that beginning Monday, if students are unable to upload their responses to the exam website, they can submit them by email immediately after the exam.
The College Board said in March that it would administer digital versions of the A.P. exams. The tests are a capstone to advanced high school courses that determine whether students can, in some cases, get credit for and avoid taking certain introductory-level courses in college.The College Board said in March that it would administer digital versions of the A.P. exams. The tests are a capstone to advanced high school courses that determine whether students can, in some cases, get credit for and avoid taking certain introductory-level courses in college.
The College Board, which also oversees the SAT, a standardized test that serves as a gateway to college for millions of applicants each year, also said that it would develop digital versions for students to take at home in the fall if the pandemic continues to require social distancing.The College Board, which also oversees the SAT, a standardized test that serves as a gateway to college for millions of applicants each year, also said that it would develop digital versions for students to take at home in the fall if the pandemic continues to require social distancing.
A spokesman for the ACT, a rival test, said that it too would move to at-home digital testing if necessary.A spokesman for the ACT, a rival test, said that it too would move to at-home digital testing if necessary.
Critics have said that aside from technical difficulties, at-home tests could worsen inequality and make it easier to cheat. In a recent college admissions scandal, prosecutors accused some wealthy parents of helping their children cheat on the tests to get into top universities.Critics have said that aside from technical difficulties, at-home tests could worsen inequality and make it easier to cheat. In a recent college admissions scandal, prosecutors accused some wealthy parents of helping their children cheat on the tests to get into top universities.
Mr. Goldberg, the College Board spokesman, said that when it became clear the A.P. test could not be administered in person, 91 percent of A.P. students surveyed nationwide said they preferred to take the exams online rather than not be able to take them at all.Mr. Goldberg, the College Board spokesman, said that when it became clear the A.P. test could not be administered in person, 91 percent of A.P. students surveyed nationwide said they preferred to take the exams online rather than not be able to take them at all.
Lynn Lubrecht, a math teacher at Morris Knolls High School in Rockaway, said despite all of the College Board’s practice exams and tips for students on taking the test online, four of her students, out of 50 who took the exam, had had problems.Lynn Lubrecht, a math teacher at Morris Knolls High School in Rockaway, said despite all of the College Board’s practice exams and tips for students on taking the test online, four of her students, out of 50 who took the exam, had had problems.
“Every test they’ve ever taken has been in a school, in a room, with a No. 2 pencil,” she said. “Even though there was a trial, when it’s the real deal, there’s still a lot of stress.”“Every test they’ve ever taken has been in a school, in a room, with a No. 2 pencil,” she said. “Even though there was a trial, when it’s the real deal, there’s still a lot of stress.”
Joseph DosSantos, one of Mrs. Lubrecht’s students, was relieved when he finished his A.P. calculus exam.Joseph DosSantos, one of Mrs. Lubrecht’s students, was relieved when he finished his A.P. calculus exam.
Updated June 12, 2020Updated June 12, 2020
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
“I initially was like, ‘Whew, I submitted the test, I’m all good,’” Joseph said. But when he double-checked his work and after he had already submitted the test, he realized he had accidentally uploaded the wrong photo of his answers for one problem.“I initially was like, ‘Whew, I submitted the test, I’m all good,’” Joseph said. But when he double-checked his work and after he had already submitted the test, he realized he had accidentally uploaded the wrong photo of his answers for one problem.
He ran into the hallway outside his parents’ home office, where he was taking the test, panic-stricken.He ran into the hallway outside his parents’ home office, where he was taking the test, panic-stricken.
“He said: ‘Oh my God! I can’t believe this! All that work!’” said his mother, Sarina DosSantos, who urged him to calm down and email his teacher. He is waiting to hear from the College Board about whether he qualifies for a retest in June.“He said: ‘Oh my God! I can’t believe this! All that work!’” said his mother, Sarina DosSantos, who urged him to calm down and email his teacher. He is waiting to hear from the College Board about whether he qualifies for a retest in June.
Julia, who will retake the A.P. chemistry exam next month, said she had struggled with chemistry and was worried about the makeup test.Julia, who will retake the A.P. chemistry exam next month, said she had struggled with chemistry and was worried about the makeup test.
In frustration after her exam wouldn’t submit, she crumpled the sign that she had taped to her bedroom door telling family members to keep out.In frustration after her exam wouldn’t submit, she crumpled the sign that she had taped to her bedroom door telling family members to keep out.