How do the percentages translate to scores on AP exams? (2024)

FAQs

How do the percentages translate to scores on AP exams? ›

For example, for AP English, multiple choice is worth 45% and free response

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.

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.

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.

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

Since you only need to get about 60% of available points to score a 5 on either AP Calculus exam, and since you have ample time on all sections, you can strategize the exam differently than you would almost any classroom test.

For students aiming to secure a 5 on the AP Statistics exam, an estimated objective is to obtain between 75% and 80% of the maximum possible points on the test.

The grades of A, B, C, D and P are passing grades. Grades of F and U are failing grades.

AP Exam scores of 3 are equivalent to grades of B-, C+, and C in college. The multiple-choice section is scored by computer. The free-response section (essays and open-ended questions) is scored at the annual AP Reading held during the first two weeks in June.

The talk of a '6' on an AP exam is indeed just a myth. Advanced Placement (AP) exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score. The College Board, which administers the AP exams, has never awarded a 6 on any AP exam.

Are AP tests 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- ...

To answer your question directly, no, you can't score a literal zero on an AP test; the scores range from 1 to 5. Even if you were to leave the entire test blank, you'd still get a 1. Now, to earn that score of 1, it means the test taker demonstrates no understanding of the material.

Generally speaking, a 2 is not a good AP score, as it is not considered a passing score by the College Board. If you get a 2 on your AP exam, it might be better not to submit that score to the colleges you're applying to.

As you can see, while at least 5% of test takers scored a 5 on each AP exam, the perfect scores are teeny, teeny, teeny percentages.

AP® Score of 2

This score is usually not accepted by colleges unless there are extenuating circ*mstances. A 2 means that you may have studied hard and prepared; however, something may have gone amiss while taking your exam. Perhaps you did not truly understand the material or did not utilize it properly.

The percentage of students who score a 5 on the AP Computer Science Principles exam tends to vary slightly each year, but usually about 15% of test-takers earn a 5.

AP Environmental Science score distribution

Let's start with the 2022 exam results. As I mentioned above, just over half of students received a passing score of 3 or above, and the average score was just 2.79. Roughly 9% of all test takers in 2022 received an “extremely well qualified” score of 5.