What Are AP Exam Pass Rates? (2024)

Take a look at AP test pass rates for the Advanced Placement exams. See the AP test passing scores and get a range of resources to help you prep for the AP.

AP Test Pass Rates

AP tests are scored on a 1 - 5 scale, and the College Board, which administers AP exams, defines students who receive a 3 as qualified in that subject matter. Based on that standard, the College Board reports that more than 60% of test-takers received a qualifying score on AP tests in 2023. Colleges and universities, however, may require higher scores for various tests.

Pass Rates by AP Test

Test Students Who Earn a 3 or Higher*
Art History 64.6%
Biology 64.4%
Calculus AB 58%
Calculus BC 78.5%
Chemistry 75.1%
Chinese 88.4%
Computer Science A 68%
Computer Science Principles 63.1%
Macroeconomics 64.7%
Microeconomics 68%
English Language 56.1%
English Literature 77.2%
Environmental Science 53.7%
European History 59.4%
French 74.7%
German 68%
Government & Politics Comparative 70.8%
Government & Politics United States 49.2%
Human Geography 54.4%
Italian 72.9%
Japanese 76.9%
Latin 56.7%
Music Theory 60.7%
Physics I 45.6%
Physics 2 69.8%
Physics C E&M 70.2%
Physics C Mechanics 73.5%
Psychology 59.6%
Research 84.4%
Seminar 85%
Spanish 83.8%
Spanish Literature 67.4%
Statistics 60%
Drawing 84.8%
Studio Art 2-D Design 83.6%
Studio Art 3-D Design 72.1%
U.S. History 47.5%
World History 64.7%

*Source: The College Board, 2023

How to Pass Your AP Test

To prepare to pass your AP exams, you first should research your school's AP policies and minimum required scores. You may also review sample exam questions available on the College Board's website (apstudent.collegeboard.org).

AP Prep Courses

Prep courses ensure that you are focusing your studies on the right subject matter. Study.com has online courses -- each with video lessons and practice tests -- for many of the AP tests. Check out examples of what they offer:

What Are AP Exam Pass Rates? (2024)

FAQs

Is a 70% a 5 on the AP exam? ›

Usually, a 70 to 75 percent out of 100 translates to a 5. However, there are some exams that are exceptions to this rule of thumb. The AP Grades that are reported to students, high schools, colleges, and universities in July are on AP's five-point scale: 5: Extremely well qualified.

What is 60% on AP test? ›

Yes, a 60 is considered a passing grade in AP classes. In AP, the average passing rate is 60-70%.

What is a 40% on the AP exam? ›

As a general guide, though, you can consider roughly more than 70% correct as being in the 5 range, 50-69% for a score of 4, 40-49% for a score of 3, 30-39% for a 2, and below 30% would likely be a 1. Again, these ranges are approximations and can vary by subject and by year.

What is a 3 on an AP exam equivalent to? ›

AP Exam scores of 3 are equivalent to grades of B-, C+, and C in college. The multiple-choice section is scored by computer.

Is an 85 a 5 on the AP exam? ›

For an AP exam, getting a score of 5 usually means you've scored around 70% to 80% on the test, but it can vary.

Can you get a 0 on an AP exam? ›

To clarify, it's quite rare and quite difficult to get a score of 0 on an AP exam. Typically, scores range from 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest possible score that indicates the student likely wasn't prepared for the level of the content on the exam.

Is a 50 passing in an AP class? ›

A 50% is considered a 3 or passing. This is when your AP credit is considered in colleges for being qualified, well qualified or extremely well qualified. Also, most exams have multiple parts to them.

Is the AP test curved? ›

AP test scores are indeed "curved," but it's more accurate to call it a "scaling process." Instead of a traditional curve that compares your performance to other students' performance, the AP exam scaling process converts your raw score (the number of points you earned through multiple-choice questions and free- ...

Is 93 an A? ›

What are letter grades and how do they convert into percentages? Common examples of grade conversion are: A+ (97–100), A (93–96), A- (90–92), B+ (87–89), B (83–86), B- (80–82), C+ (77–79), C (73–76), C- (70–72), D+ (67–69), D (65–66), D- (below 65).

What AP score does Harvard accept? ›

Credits are earned by scoring 5 on a minimum of four AP tests. Certain AP examinations test material covered in one semester only, and for each of these, Harvard confers only one half credit toward Advanced Standing. For more information, visit Harvard's website.

Is an 88 in an AP class bad? ›

6 answers. AP English Lang and Comp is one of the hardest APs you can take and honestly and 88% is a good grade.

Is an 80 in an AP class bad? ›

If you scored an 80 in AP Psychics C, you could probably pat yourself on the back, as that can be considered quite the achievement. However, if you scored an 80 in AP Psychology or APUSH, you might want to consider studying harder or asking your teacher for more help.

Is a 4 on Apush good? ›

The College Board denotes a 3 as 'qualified, 4 as 'well qualified,' and a 5 as 'extremely well qualified.'

Should I report a 3 on an AP exam to Ivy League? ›

In short, all scores of 5 on AP exams should be reported to elite colleges. However, for scores of 4 or 3, submitting the scores is dependent on the student's coursework and other AP results. Scores of 2 or 1 should never be shared.

Is 70 a passing grade in 5th grade? ›

C - this is a grade that rests right in the middle. C is anywhere between 70% and 79% D - this is still a passing grade, and it's between 59% and 69% F - this is a failing grade.

What is a 70 in an AP class? ›

Most schools offer one extra grade point for each AP class you enroll in.
Letter gradeRangeAP
C+77-793.3
C73-763.0
C-70-722.7
D+67-692.3
9 more rows
Nov 28, 2022

What is considered a 5 on an AP test? ›

Extremely well qualified

What is a 70 on an exam? ›

A B is 80% to 89%; A C is 70% to 79%; A D is 60% to 69%; and finally. F is 59% and below – and it's not a passing grade.

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