Eleanor Finch
The AP grading system uses a score from 1 to 5 to indicate student ability, with 5 being the highest possible score. Unlike typical high school tests, AP exams are graded on a unique scale. The scores in both the AP and final exams are compared for a sample of college students on a comparable course. This predicts student success in a more advanced course, which changes depending on the difficulty of the papers. The final score for each AP exam is reported on a 5-point scale that offers a recommendation about how qualified a student is to receive college credit and placement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Grading scale | 1–5, with 5 being the highest possible score |
| Grading process | The multiple-choice section is scored by computer; the free-response section is scored by college professors and experienced AP teachers |
| Composite score | The total scores from the multiple-choice and free-response sections are combined to form a composite score |
| Scaled score | The composite score is translated into the 1–5 grading scale using statistical processes to ensure consistency across years |
| College credit | A score of 3 is considered passing by the College Board, but each college sets its own criteria; some require a minimum of 3, others a 4 or 5 |
| Resits | Possible, but only in May of the following year |
| Remarking | Possible for the multiple-choice section for a fee of $30 |
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What You'll Learn
AP grading scale
AP exams are scored on a unique scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score. The College Board uses statistical processes to ensure that each score on the scale reflects the same level of achievement year on year. The scores are designed to indicate student ability and provide a recommendation to colleges about how qualified a student is to receive credit and advanced placement.
AP exams typically consist of two sections: multiple-choice and free-response. The multiple-choice section is scored by computer, while the free-response section is scored by college professors and experienced AP teachers. The scores from each section are then combined to form a composite score. This composite score is then translated into the 5-point scale.
The interpretation of each score varies among colleges and institutions. While some may grant credit for scores of 3 or higher, others may require a minimum score of 4 or even 5. A score of 3 generally corresponds to a C grade, a score of 4 to a B, and a score of 5 to an A. However, it is ultimately up to each college to determine what score is needed to receive credit and advanced placement.
Students can access their scores through the College Board, and the scores are also automatically sent to the student's college, university, or scholarship program, as well as their school and district. Students can also choose to send their scores to additional colleges for a fee. It is important for students to research the AP credit policies of their target schools before taking the exams to understand what scores they need to achieve.
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Composite scores
AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score. The College Board combines the scores from the multiple-choice and free-response sections to form a composite score. The multiple-choice section is scored by computer, while the free-response section is scored by college professors and experienced AP teachers. The composite scores are then translated into the 5-point scale using statistical processes, ensuring that the same level of achievement is recognised across different years.
The interpretation of each score varies among institutions. While some colleges grant credit for scores of 3 or higher, others may require a minimum score of 4 or even 5. Students are advised to research the policies of their target schools before taking the exams. In general, a score of 3 is considered passing and corresponds to a C grade, a score of 4 corresponds to a B, and a score of 5 corresponds to an A. Colleges tend to consider scores of 4 or 5 as good, and a score of 4 is sufficient for credit at most schools.
The AP grading system can be surprising due to its unique structure. Unlike typical high school tests, AP exams are graded on a scale that offers a recommendation about how qualified a student is to receive college credit and placement. The College Board conducts studies to correlate the performance of AP students with that of college students in comparable courses, helping to set the "cut points" that determine how composite scores are translated into the 5-point scale.
AP Capstone courses, such as AP Seminar and AP Research, are scored using a unique framework that combines written reports, team projects, and individual presentations with an end-of-course exam. The scores from each component are weighted and combined into a final AP score on the 1-5 scale. These courses emphasise research, collaboration, and communication skills, making them a valuable addition to college applications.
Students can access various resources to improve their AP scores, such as daily practice questions, online videos, and subject-specific practice exams. Effective time management and a healthy mindset are also crucial during preparation and on exam day. AP exams cover an entire year's curriculum, so a consistent, long-term approach to preparation is recommended.
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Multiple-choice section
The multiple-choice section of AP exams is typically graded by a computer. The grading is based on the total number of correct responses, with no deductions for blank or incorrect answers. This raw score is then combined with the free-response section score to form a composite score.
The weighting of the multiple-choice section relative to the free-response section varies depending on the exam. For example, in the AP Physics 1 examination, the 40 multiple-choice questions are weighted equally to the four free-response questions, despite the difference in timing allocations. In another example, the test paper contains 55 MCQs that constitute 45% of the total score, while three essays are worth 55%.
The composite score is then translated into a 5-point scale using statistical processes. This scale offers a recommendation about how qualified the student is to receive college credit and placement. For instance, a score of 5 indicates that the student is "extremely well qualified", equivalent to an A or A+ in a college course. A score of 4 indicates that the student is "very well qualified", equivalent to an A-, B+, or B. A score of 3 indicates that the student is "qualified", equivalent to a B-, C+, or C.
It is important to note that the interpretation of AP scores may vary among institutions. While some colleges may grant credit for scores of 3 or higher, others may require a minimum score of 4 or even 5. Students are advised to research the AP credit policies of their target schools before taking the exams.
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Free-response section
The free-response section of AP exams typically includes essays and open-ended questions. This section, along with through-course performance tasks, is scored manually by specially appointed college professors and experienced AP teachers during the annual AP Reading, which is held in the first two weeks of June.
The free-response section requires students to demonstrate analytical and writing skills. For example, the AP English Language and Composition test includes a mix of multiple-choice questions and free responses. Students are expected to showcase their writing skills in the free-response section of such exams.
Similarly, the AP Capstone courses, such as AP Seminar and AP Research, also emphasise skills beyond multiple-choice responses. These courses combine written reports, team projects, and individual presentations with an end-of-course exam. The scores from each component are weighted and combined into a final AP score on the 1–5 scale.
The free-response section is evaluated independently from the multiple-choice section, and the results are then combined to generate a composite score. This composite score is then translated into the 5-point scale using statistical processes. This ensures that a score of 3 this year, for example, reflects the same level of achievement as a 3 last year.
Colleges tend to consider scores of 4 or 5 as good, with some requiring a minimum score of 4 or even 5 for advanced placement. However, each college sets its own criteria, so a score of 3 could also be sufficient for advanced placement at some institutions.
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AP score interpretation
AP exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest score and 5 the highest. The College Board considers a score of 3 as passing, but each college sets its own criteria for what score is required for advanced placement and college credit. A score of 3 may be accepted by some colleges, but others may require a minimum score of 4 or even 5. For example, Duke University requires a score of 5 for certain subjects. Most colleges consider a score of 1 or 2 as low and do not permit advanced placement.
The AP grading system can be a surprise to students and parents due to its unique structure. Unlike typical high school tests, AP exams are graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with the scores providing insight into the potential letter grades a student might have received in equivalent college courses. For example, a score of 3 corresponds to a C grade, a 4 to a B, and a 5 to an A.
AP exams typically have two main components: a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. The College Board evaluates each section independently before combining the results to generate a composite score. The multiple-choice section is scored by computer, with the total number of correct responses equalling the score for that section. The free-response section, which includes essays and open-ended questions, is scored by college professors and experienced AP teachers.
The composite scores are then translated into the 5-point scale using statistical processes designed to ensure that the same level of achievement is recognised year on year. For example, a score of 3 one year should reflect the same level of achievement as a score of 3 the previous year. The AP Program conducts studies to correlate the performance of AP students with that of college students in comparable college courses, which helps set the "cut points" that determine how composite scores are translated into the 5-point scale.
It is possible to appeal and resit AP exams. Appeals can be made for the multiple-choice section of the test to be re-marked by a human for a fee. Resits are possible, but only in May of the following year.
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Frequently asked questions
AP exams use a unique grading scale of 1–5, with 5 being the highest possible score.
AP exams typically consist of two sections: multiple-choice and free-response. The College Board scores each section independently, and then combines the results to generate a composite score. The composite scores are then translated into the 5-point scale using statistical processes.
A good AP score is one that is high enough to earn you credit at your target colleges. While some colleges grant credit for scores of 3 or higher, others require a minimum score of 4 or even 5.
