AP Diary

By CHRISTOPHER PHELPS

The true story of what it's like to spend a week grading Advanced Placement exams

Day of Arrival: I drive down to Louisville, Ky., on the evening before I am to begin reading Advanced Placement exams in U.S. history.

I haven't a clue, really, about what to expect. My last contact with Advanced Placement was in high school, when I took the AP exam in English. I harbor the hope that reading excellent essays will boost my spirits, but my main motivation is $1,555 plus free meals,