Qualifying for an AP Capstone™ Award – AP Students (2024)

See If You Earned an AP Award

If your school offers the AP Capstone program, you can earn either the AP Capstone Diploma™ or the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.

AP Capstone Awards are listed on AP score reports, and students who earn the diploma or certificate can view and print their award certificate from their online account. Awards are also included on any AP score report sent to colleges. Here are the requirements to earn an AP Capstone award:

  • The AP Capstone Diploma is granted to students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on 4 additional AP Exams of their choosing.
  • The AP Seminar and Research Certificate is granted to students who earn scores of 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research.

This diagram illustrates the requirements of each award.

Qualifying for an AP Capstone™ Award – AP Students (1)

FAQ

How can I get a copy of my AP award certificate?

You can view and print your certificate online:Sign in to the AP score reporting system.

Read more

How can I let colleges know that I won an AP award?

Send colleges your official AP score report. Awards are listed on any AP score report that is sent to colleges after the award has been granted.

Read more

When do I find out if I won an AP award?

If you’ve earned an AP Scholar award, AP Capstone award, or AP with WE Service Recognition this year, they will be listed on your score report starting in July. You will receive award notifications by email.

Read more

What is the AP Capstone™ Diploma program?

AP Capstone™ is a College Board program that equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. AP Capstone comprises two AP courses—AP Seminar and AP Research—and is designed to complement and enhance the discipline-specific study in other AP courses.

Learn more about the AP Capstone Diploma Program.

Read more

How does the assessment work for AP Seminar and AP Research? Is there an AP Exam for both courses?

AP Seminar and AP Research are both yearlong courses that employ assessments throughout the course. For AP Seminar, you’ll complete a team project and presentation and an individual research-based essay and presentation with an oral defense, as well as taking a written end-of-course exam. These components contribute to the overall AP Seminar score.

For AP Research, you’ll complete a 4,000- to 5,000-word academic paper and a presentation with an oral defense. There is no end-of-course exam. For details on assessment, go to the AP Seminar course page and the AP Research coursepage.

Read more

When will an award be added to my score report if I am waiting for a score to be released in order to qualify for an award?

Some scores take longer to process due to later testing or other circ*mstances. If a score is not yet available when scores are released, you will be notified when it becomes available and is added to your score report. Any awards you qualify for based on the new score will be added to your score report at the same time, and you will also be notified.

Read more

Qualifying for an AP Capstone™ Award – AP Students (2024)

FAQs

Qualifying for an AP Capstone™ Award – AP Students? ›

See If You Earned an AP Award

How many students get AP Capstone? ›

The program has reached a milestone of over 100,000 students participating during the 2022-23 academic year, representing over 2,500 schools worldwide. Approximately 15,800 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and 9,600 students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

Do colleges care about AP Capstone? ›

The AP Capstone Diploma is increasingly recognized in admissions by higher education institutions around the world. Many colleges and universities offer credit and/or placement for a qualifying score in AP Seminar, AP Research, or both.

Am I an AP Capstone student? ›

Additionally, students who successfully complete both AP Seminar and AP Research, scoring a 3 or higher both years, will qualify for the AP Capstone Certificate. Students who successfully complete both years, plus score a 3 or higher on four additional AP exams of their choosing will receive the AP Capstone Diploma.

Is the AP Capstone certificate worth it? ›

Participating in AP Capstone Can Help Students:

Stand out to colleges in the application process. Develop key academic skills they'll use in other classes, college, and beyond. Become self-confident, independent thinkers and problem solvers. Earn college credit: Many colleges offer credit for qualifying scores.

How hard is AP Capstone? ›

There are three AP Capstone difficulty levels: easy, medium, and hard. Easy AP Capstone tasks are those that don't require a lot of effort. Medium AP Capstone tasks may require more insight but still don't require a great deal of knowledge. Hard AP Capstone tasks may require some serious thinking and concentration.

Does AP Capstone get a cord? ›

Yes, AP Capstone Diploma Candidates will receive a stole (student cost) and AP Capstone Certificate Candidates will receive a cord. Those who are in the courses but did not meet CollegeBoard expectations on AP Exams will not receive the recognition items.

Why is AP Capstone more expensive? ›

Having taken both exams, they cost more because AP Seminar and Research require evaluators to look at papers. AP Seminar consists of two papers one with a group and another with individual research. Each paper a little more or less 10 pages. To get someone evaluate this paper according to runbric takes more money.

Is AP Capstone better than IB? ›

Global Recognition: The IB Program enjoys broader global recognition compared to the AP® Capstone program, and is recognized by universities worldwide. While the AP® Capstone program is more familiar to US universities, the IB program is ideal for students aspiring to study outside the US.

Does Harvard care about AP Capstone? ›

If you want to take the class, take the class. But Harvard, and colleges at that level, will not care if you take the class or not. Again, this is in the context of Ivy League Admissions- what would you recommend dropping? AP Capstone.

How do you qualify for AP Capstone? ›

The AP Capstone Diploma is granted to students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on 4 additional AP Exams of their choosing.

How many schools offer AP Capstone? ›

More than 2,000 high schools are approved to offer the AP Capstone Diploma program. Use this search to find participating schools near your city, district, state, or country. If your high school is interested in participating in the AP Capstone Diploma program, apply now .

Which AP is easiest? ›

Easiest AP exams by pass rate
AP SubjectPass Rate (Exam Score of 3+)Median Score
Ap Physics C Mechanics73.4%3.41
AP Psychology58.3%2.71
AP Research82.7%3.3
AP Seminar82.6%3.19
34 more rows
Jan 13, 2023

Does AP Capstone count as an English class? ›

Some high schools are permitting students to use the AP Capstone program classes to fulfill English requirements (a student would therefore forgo, for example, AP Language and/or AP Literature). In other cases, a high school might require students to take an English class in addition to the AP Capstone classes.

Is AP Capstone recognized nationally? ›

Students who complete the two-year program can earn one of two different AP Capstone awards, which are valued by colleges across the United States and around the world.

How many AP classes do you need to pass for AP Capstone? ›

Four AP courses are required for the Capstone diploma, but a student can take more with a guidance counselor's approval.

Is AP Capstone research easy? ›

Overview: AP Seminar and AP Research

Students who pass both of these exams in addition to at least four other AP exams will have completed the AP Capstone program. The Capstone program is not an easy undertaking, but for dedicated students who plan to apply to competitive universities, it's well worthwhile.

How many students get an AP Scholar Award? ›

About 18 percent of the 1.8 million students worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to also earn an AP Scholar Award.

How many people are given the AP Scholar Award? ›

Nationwide, less than 10% of students earn the distinction of AP Scholar or higher by the time they graduate and less than 20% of those who take AP exams earn this distinction.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kareem Mueller DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6860

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (66 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kareem Mueller DO

Birthday: 1997-01-04

Address: Apt. 156 12935 Runolfsdottir Mission, Greenfort, MN 74384-6749

Phone: +16704982844747

Job: Corporate Administration Planner

Hobby: Mountain biking, Jewelry making, Stone skipping, Lacemaking, Knife making, Scrapbooking, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.