Are AP Scores Out In 2024?

Yes, AP scores for 2024 will be released in July, typically in early to mid-month.

AP Scores: Everything You Need To Know

Advanced Placement (AP) exams provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of college-level coursework and strengthen university applications. Accepted by leading institutions worldwide, high AP scores can translate into college credits, advanced course placement, tuition savings, and even early graduation.

This comprehensive guide explores everything essential about AP scores, from how they are calculated and what they represent to their impact on college admissions and credit policies. Detailed sections cover how to send scores, earn AP awards, and leverage results for maximum academic advantage.

For students seeking exceptional preparation, Ignite Training Institute delivers expert AP tutoring designed to help learners worldwide achieve top-tier results and unlock their full academic potential.

Table of Contents

What Are AP Scores?
How Are AP Exams Scored?
How Much Is AP Scores Out Of?
What Is The Average Score For AP Exams?
Can You Choose Which AP Scores To Send?
How To Send AP Scores To Colleges & Universities?
How To Find Out If You Have Earned An AP Award?
How Can You Let Colleges Know That You Won An AP Award?
How Do Students Benefit From AP Exam Scores?
Where To Check AP Scores? A Step-By-Step Guide
How Can You Get My AP Scores From Years Ago?
Ignite Training Institute: Best AP Tutors In Dubai
FAQs
Conclusion

What Are AP Scores?

AP scores are the results of standardized tests administered by the College Board to high school students who have completed Advanced Placement (AP) courses. These exams assess students’ knowledge and skills in various subjects, ranging from mathematics and science to history and language arts.

AP scores are reported on a 5-point scale, with a score of 5 indicating the highest level of achievement and a score of 1 indicating the lowest.

Colleges and universities often use AP scores to determine whether to grant students college credit or advanced placement in specific courses. A higher AP score generally increases a student’s chances of receiving credit and placement, potentially allowing them to skip introductory courses or graduate early.

In 2025, the College Board reports that approximately 60% to 75% of AP exam takers achieve a score of 3 or higher, reflecting the level of performance typically expected for college-level work. The organization emphasizes that its scoring standards have remained rigorous: in fact, the 2025 AP standard is more stringent than the typical standard of college grades in 1990.

Additionally, recent shifts in scoring methodology, such as adopting Evidence-Based Standard Setting (EBSS), have replaced smaller faculty panels with expansive data-driven processes to define performance thresholds more objectively.

How Are AP Exams Scored?

AP Exams are reported on a 1–5 scale (5 = extremely well qualified, 1 = no recommendation), with each student’s final AP score derived from a weighted combination of section scores rather than a simple percent-correct.

Most exams have two main parts: a multiple-choice (or selected-response) section that is machine-scored, and a free-response/essay section that is scored by trained educators during the annual AP Reading; the relative weight of those sections varies by subject. After section scoring, a student’s raw totals are combined into a composite raw score.

Some AP subjects provide additional subscores alongside the overall 1–5 score. For example, AP Music Theory reports two subscores, aural and nonaural, that measure separate skill sets, such as listening-based tasks versus written theory and analysis.

AP Calculus BC offers a Calculus AB subscore, reflecting performance on AB-level content that makes up about 60% of the exam. These subscores can be used by colleges for targeted placement or to award credit as if the student had taken the corresponding standalone AP course.

That composite raw score is then converted to the 1–5 AP scale through a statistical equating and score-setting process that accounts for differences in test versions and year-to-year difficulty. The College Board uses research comparing AP student performance to college courses to set the cut points for scores of 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.

Because scoring rules and equating practices have been updated in recent years, and because score distributions can shift from year to year, it’s useful to check the College Board’s published score distributions and technical notes for the latest specifics.

For example, the College Board reported 5,744,259 AP Exams administered in 2024 and publishes subject-by-subject score distribution tables each year. If you want exact cut scores or the 2024 subject distributions, see the College Board’s score-distribution report.

How Much Is AP Scores Out Of?

AP (Advanced Placement) scores are graded on a scale from 1 to 5. This scoring system is designed to assess how well students have mastered the material in AP courses and exams.

Here’s a breakdown of what each score means:

A score of 5 (equivalent to A+ or A): Extremely well qualified. This is the highest possible score and indicates that the student has an excellent understanding of the subject matter and is well-prepared for college-level coursework.
A score of 4 (equivalent to A-, B+, or B): Well qualified. A score of 4 shows that the student has a solid grasp of the subject, and many colleges may award credit or advanced placement based on this score.
A Score of 3 (equivalent to B-, C+, or C): Qualified. This score suggests that the student has a good understanding of the subject, and some colleges might offer credit or placement, though it’s more selective.
A score of 2: Possibly qualified. This score indicates some knowledge of the subject, but may not be sufficient for credit or advanced placement in most colleges.
A score of 1: No recommendation. A score of 1 means that the student did not demonstrate a sufficient understanding of the material.

While higher scores often unlock more college credit opportunities, even scores of 1 or 2 can provide lasting academic benefits. Students who earn these scores are more likely to improve in later AP Exams, persist in college, and graduate on time.

In fact, more than 90% of students with a score of 2 report doing well or very well in related introductory college courses. Completing an AP Exam, regardless of score, signals to colleges that you’ve engaged in challenging coursework and are committed to academic growth.

What Is The Average Score For AP Exams?

While the average score can fluctuate year to year depending on various factors, the general trend is as follows:

The average score across all AP exams in 2024 was 3.12, with over 60% of exams earning a score of 3 or higher.
In 2025, preliminary reports indicate that approximately 73% of students scored 3 or higher, marking the highest pass rate since the pandemic years and a 2% increase over 2024.

The average score varies significantly by subject. Some AP courses tend to have higher mean scores due to factors like question type, student preparation, or the composition of the test-taking group.

For example, AP Chinese Language & Culture had the highest average in 2024, with a mean score of around 4.08.
AP Calculus BC also performed strongly, with a mean score of about 3.92, reflecting high performance in a challenging course.
AP English Literature & Composition had an average of about 3.16, which indicates a moderate level of difficulty.
AP Biology averaged around 3.04, with roughly 64% of students scoring a 3 or higher.
Meanwhile, AP Calculus AB averaged about 2.99, coming in slightly under 3, underscoring its reputation as a challenging exam.

Factors That Affect The Average AP Score:

Subject Difficulty & Student Pool: Courses like Chinese Language (often taken by heritage or fluent speakers) and Calculus BC tend to have higher averages, while subjects such as Calculus AB or AP U.S. History typically scores lower.
Student Preparation & Demographics: More experienced or academically stronger students tend to take certain AP exams, raising the average.
Test-taking Trends & Access: As participation grows, especially from students less prepared or outside traditional AP pathways, it can influence average scores. However, the 2025 bump to a 73% pass rate shows a recent trend of improving outcomes.

Can You Choose Which AP Scores To Send?

When sending AP scores to colleges, students generally have control over which scores go to which institutions, but it’s important to understand the details.

The College Board’s standard score report includes all AP scores from both the current year and past exams by default. This means that when you send a report, whether via your free annual score send or a paid request, it will include your entire AP score history unless you specifically take action to change it.

If you’d prefer not to share a particular score, you can withhold it from a specific college or scholarship recipient. Withholding does not delete the score; it remains on your record and can be released later with a signed written request, at no additional cost. Note that the fee to withhold a score is $10 per score per recipient, and the College Board must receive your withholding request by June 15 of the year you took the exam.

If you want to remove a score permanently, you can cancel it. Cancellation ensures that the score will never be sent or reinstated; it is irrevocable. Similar to withholding, the cancellation request must be submitted by June 15 of the exam year.

Students still have flexibility post-release: according to some guidance sources, you can choose which AP exam scores to send to colleges using the College Board’s “Score Send” service by selecting specific exams, though the report will include all scores unless withhold or cancel requests are made.

How To Send AP Scores To Colleges & Universities?

To send your AP scores to colleges and universities, you’ll need to go through the College Board’s official reporting system. Here’s a quick guide on the steps and options available to you:

1. Online Requests:

Log into your College Board account and select the colleges or universities you want to receive your AP scores. You can request score reports online any time after taking the AP exams.

You get one free score sent per year, which must be designated by June 20 to qualify (if you use it by this deadline, the report is sent at no cost). After that, each additional report costs $15 for standard delivery (typically 3–5 business days).

Rush Delivery available for $25 per report and usually arrives within 5–9 business days, useful if you’re working with tight deadlines. Additionally, note that any online orders placed between June 20 at 6:30 p.m. ET and July 1 at 6:30 p.m. ET won’t be processed until July 1, which may delay delivery.

2. Sending Scores by Mail or Fax:

If you prefer, you can also mail or fax a written request. Include your full details (name, address, AP number, exam details, etc.) and specify the recipient college(s).

Send the request to the College Board’s designated mailing address or fax number. Similar fees apply: $15 for standard and $25 for rush delivery.

3. Withholding or Canceling Scores:

If there’s a score you’d rather not share, you can withhold it from specific colleges for $10 per score per college. Alternatively, you can permanently cancel a score (at no additional cost), which removes it from all future reports to any institution.

Make sure to complete cancellations by June 15 if you want to avoid sending the score to the college listed on your AP answer sheet.

4. Self-Reporting Scores:

Many colleges allow you to self-report your AP scores directly on applications (like the Common App) or through your high school transcript. Self-reporting can be a more affordable option but check with each college’s admissions guidelines, as some may require official reports for credit or placement purposes.

Planning your AP score submission early can help you meet deadlines and avoid rush fees. You can find more detailed information and options on the College Board’s website.

How To Find Out If You Have Earned An AP Award?

Earning an AP (Advanced Placement) award is a significant academic achievement that recognizes your hard work and dedication to mastering college-level courses while still in high school.

Whether you’re looking to find out if you’ve earned an AP Scholar award or any other AP-related honor, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to check and understand the process.

1. Understand The AP Awards Available

The College Board offers several AP awards based on performance in AP exams. Some of the common AP awards include:

AP Scholar Award: This is given to students who score 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.
AP Scholar with Honor Award: Given to students who earn an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more AP exams.
AP Scholar with Distinction Award: Awarded to students who score an average of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on five or more exams.
National AP Scholar Award: This is a prestigious award for students who have achieved an average score of at least 4.0 on all AP exams taken and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more AP exams.

Each award has specific requirements based on your AP exam performance, and it’s important to know which award you might be eligible for.

2. Check Your AP Exam Scores

The first step in determining if you have earned an AP award is to check your AP exam scores. You can do this by logging into your College Board account. Here’s how to access your scores:

Log into Your College Board Account: Visit the College Board website (www.collegeboard.org) and log in using the username and password associated with your account.
Navigate to AP Scores: Once logged in, navigate to the “AP Scores” section of your account.
View Your Scores: Your scores for all AP exams you have taken will be listed. The College Board releases AP exam scores in July, so make sure you check your account around that time.

3. Calculate Your Average Score

Once you have your scores, you need to calculate your average score to determine if you qualify for any of the AP Scholar awards. For example:

To qualify for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award, you need to have an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken. Add up the scores from all your AP exams, and divide by the number of exams to get your average.

4. Review The College Board’s AP Scholar Recognition Page

The College Board provides a breakdown of the AP Scholar awards and their specific eligibility criteria on their website. After you’ve calculated your average, you can compare your results with the requirements for each award listed on the College Board’s AP Scholar Recognition page.

5. Wait For The Official Recognition Email

Once all AP scores are released and processed, the College Board sends out official notifications to students who have earned AP Scholar awards. This typically happens in the fall, several months after the release of AP exam scores.

You will receive an email or letter that officially recognizes you as an AP Scholar, along with any relevant details about the specific award you earned.

6. Keep Your AP Exam Scores For Future Applications

In addition to receiving an award, it’s important to keep track of your AP scores for future college applications. Many colleges and universities grant credit or advanced standing for AP exam scores, so having a strong AP record can benefit you academically during your college years.

How Can You Let Colleges Know That You Won An AP Award?

To inform colleges about an AP Award you’ve received, here are the main methods:

Include It In Your College Applications: List the award under the “Honors” or “Achievements” section of your application, especially if using platforms like the Common App. Be sure to include the specific award name and briefly describe its significance, as colleges look favorably on these achievements.
Use The Score Report: When sending AP scores to colleges, your AP Awards may appear in the score report from the College Board. Awards like the AP Scholar Award, AP Capstone Diploma, and National AP Scholar are automatically included, giving colleges direct confirmation of your accomplishments.
Request A Certificate: For additional documentation, you can request a certificate from the College Board to have a physical or digital copy, which you could reference if needed in any other parts of your application materials, such as a portfolio or supplemental documentation.

Colleges may also learn of your award indirectly when you’re opted in to the College Board’s Student Search Service, some institutions may proactively reach out to high-achieving students, including AP Award recipients.

These methods ensure that your AP achievements are visible to admissions committees, showcasing your dedication to challenging coursework and your success on AP exams.

How Do Students Benefit From AP Exam Scores?

Advanced Placement (AP) exams offer students a unique opportunity to showcase their academic abilities and stand out in the college admissions process. AP exam scores can significantly benefit students in various ways, including:

College Credit: Many colleges and universities offer college credit for high AP exam scores (usually 3 or higher), allowing students to skip introductory-level courses. This can reduce the time it takes to complete a degree and help students save on tuition fees. In 2025, students who score a 4 or 5 may save thousands of dollars in tuition alone, with each AP credit often equating to a college course worth several hundred dollars.
Advanced Placement in College Courses: Some colleges may place students in more advanced courses based on their AP scores, providing them with a greater challenge and the opportunity to dive deeper into subjects of interest.
Improved College Applications: High AP scores demonstrate to admissions officers that a student is capable of handling college-level coursework. This can enhance their application, especially for competitive programs and universities.
Scholarship Opportunities: Some scholarships consider AP exam scores as part of the eligibility criteria. A strong AP score record can help students secure financial assistance for their higher education. Additionally, roughly 31 percent of colleges and universities factor in AP experience when awarding merit scholarships.
Development of Critical Skills: Preparing for AP exams helps students develop essential skills like time management, problem-solving, and critical thinking, which are valuable in college and beyond.
Confidence Boost: Achieving high AP scores can provide students with a sense of accomplishment and boost their confidence in their academic abilities.
Value of All AP Scores: Students who score low often improve on future tests and are more likely to attend and graduate from college on time. Over 90 percent of freshmen who earn a 2 report doing well in college-level classes in the same subject.
Global Recognition: Globally, qualifying AP scores (3+) earn credit or placement in universities across the U.S., Canada, and in about 60 other countries, expanding students’ international higher-education opportunities.

Where To Check AP Scores? A Step-By-Step Guide

Once the AP exams have been graded, students are eager to find out their scores. Here’s how you can check your AP scores:

Step 1: Create Or Log In To Your College Board Account

To access your AP scores, you need to have an account with the College Board, the organization that administers AP exams.

Create an Account: If you don’t already have an account, visit College Board’s website and click “Sign Up” to create one. Be sure to use your accurate personal details, including your name and email address.
Log In: If you have an existing account, please log in with your username and password.

Step 2: Navigate To The AP Score Page

Once logged in, go to the “AP Scores” section on the College Board homepage. There will be a link directing you to view your AP scores.

Step 3: Enter Your AP Number (If Required)

In some cases, the College Board may ask for your AP number. You can find this number on your AP answer sheet or within any AP exam materials you received before the test. Enter the number when prompted.

Step 4: View Your Scores

Once you’re on the score page, you will be able to view your scores for all AP exams taken. The scores will be displayed in numerical format (1-5), with a 5 being the highest possible score.

Step 5: Print Or Save Your Scores

You can print or save a copy of your scores for your records or to share with schools. The College Board also offers a score report that you can send to colleges and universities.

Step 6: Follow Up If Needed

If you experience issues with your AP scores, or if you don’t receive them when expected, you can contact the College Board’s AP services for assistance. They can offer guidance and assist in resolving any issues.

How Can You Get My AP Scores From Years Ago?

If you’re looking to access your AP scores from years ago, the process is straightforward. You can request your AP scores from the College Board, the organization responsible for administering the exams.

Simply visit the College Board website and log into your account. If you no longer have access to your old account, you can create a new one using your personal details.

Once logged in, you can request a score report for any year, and it will be sent to you or the institutions of your choice. It’s a good idea to have your AP student ID or other identifying information on hand to streamline the process. If you need help or encounter any issues, the College Board provides customer support to assist you.

If your most recent AP exam was taken before 2018, your scores are archived and no longer visible in your online account. To access these archived scores, download and complete the AP Archived Score Request Form, then submit it via mail or fax along with a $25 fee per report. These archived reports are sent by first-class mail within 15 business days, and a confirmation copy is mailed to you.

Archived AP records typically become inaccessible online about four years after your last exam. After this window, the only way to obtain them is through the archived score request process.

Ignite Training Institute: Best AP Tutors In Dubai

For students aiming to excel in Advanced Placement (AP) exams, Ignite Training Institute stands out as Dubai’s premier choice. Offering both online and in-person tutoring across the UAE, Ignite has built a strong reputation for helping students achieve top results in AP subjects such as Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Economics.

Since 2015, Ignite has specialized in personalized learning plans, rigorous testing, and year-round academic support. Our experienced tutors tailor lessons to each student’s strengths and goals, ensuring mastery of the AP curriculum. Beyond academics, the institute focuses on developing analytical skills, confidence, and exam strategies, empowering students to perform at their best and prepare for future success.

FAQs

1. What Is A Good Score On AP?

A good score on an AP exam is typically a 3 or higher, as it may earn college credit or advanced placement.

2. What Score Is A 5 In AP?

A score of 5 on the AP exam is the highest possible, indicating excellent performance and mastery of the subject.

3. Is A Score Of 70 A 5 On The AP Exam?

No, a 70% score on an AP exam does not guarantee a 5; scoring a 5 typically requires higher performance, often above 80%.

4. Is A 3 A Fail In AP?

No, a score of 3 is considered passing and may earn college credit, but a 1 or 2 is considered failing for credit purposes.

5. Is 70 100 A Good Mark?

A score of 70 out of 100 is generally considered average or slightly below average, depending on the grading scale.

6. What Is A 60% On An AP Exam?

A 60% score on an AP exam is typically below the passing threshold for most schools, as most require at least a 3 for college credit.

7. Which AP Is The Hardest?

AP Physics C, AP Calculus BC, and AP Chemistry are often considered the hardest due to their challenging content and workload.

8. Which AP Is The Easiest?

AP Psychology and AP Environmental Science are considered easier due to their more straightforward content and less intense math.

9. What Is The Highest Mark For AP?

The highest mark on an AP exam is a 5, indicating a top-level understanding of the material.

Conclusion

In conclusion, AP scores are a reflection of a student’s understanding and mastery of college-level material. A score of 3 or higher is typically considered good and may earn college credit, with a score of 5 being the highest achievement.

While AP exams are challenging, they provide valuable opportunities for academic advancement and college preparedness.

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