Cumulative tests can be daunting However, students enrolled in AP Statistics now have the chance to take an optional quarterly cumulative exam.

“I was looking at my schedule and I was finding, the unit tests weren’t combining enough topics. I wanted them for my students to have practice for the AP test. So I thought, if we can have a cumulative throughout the year, it gives you a mini-practice of the AP test,” Shelby Chung, an AP Statistics teacher, said.

 The AP Stats Cumulative was originally a collaboration between the AP Statistics teachers Ms. Chung and Mr. Brunner. As of the 2025-2026 school year, the optional test now is hosted by every single AP Statistics teacher towards the end of the quarter. Despite its non-obligatory nature, the test consistently draws large numbers of students wishing to squeeze in a little more practice.

“We have about 15 sections [of AP Statistics] right now, with 25 [students] in each. […] We literally don’t have the space in this building for all of us to do [the cumulative] together,” Chung said.

Despite the space issue, testing went by pretty quickly. 

“The tight space was manageable. Once everyone settled in, the testing environment was surprisingly productive,” junior Tiffany Ang said.

The reason behind not including any free response questions—a key component of the actual AP exam—is directed towards the purpose of the test: “We want to get [feedback to] you guys and grading free responses [is] going to take longer,” Chung said. 

Feedback for these optional cumulative exams have been positive on the whole, with many praising its non-mandatory nature as a major reason behind its success.

“The optional format made it feel intentional and reward-focused rather than stressful.” Ang said.

Another major reason behind the cumulative test’s high praise is its ability to only improve your grade.

“If they get a grade that brings up their test grade average: good job! If it’s a grade that brings their test grade average down, we’re saying: great try! This is great feedback, but we’re not going to put in the grade book,” Chung said.

Ultimately, many students agree that the optional quarterly cumulative has been an asset for retaining the information presented earlier in the year.

“The cumulative gives a reason to revisit past material and strengthens the foundation for the rest of the course in a low-risk way,” Ang said.