AP Scoring Scale

AP Scoring Scale

How AP Exams Are Scored

All Advanced Placement (AP) exams are scored by the College Board on a 1–5 scale.
Your AP score reflects how well you performed compared to college-level standards.

What AP Scores Mean for College

Most U.S. colleges and universities use AP scores to decide:

• Whether you earn college credit
• Whether you can skip introductory classes
• Whether you qualify for advanced placement
• How strong your academic rigor looks in admissions

Typically:

Why AP Scores Are So Important in the U.S.

AP exams are not school tests — they are national, college-graded exams.

High AP scores help students:

• Save thousands of dollars in college tuition
• Graduate earlier
• Qualify for honors programs
• Strengthen Ivy League & UC applications
• Earn merit scholarships

For competitive U.S. colleges, AP scores are one of the strongest academic signals on a student’s application.

When Are AP Scores Released?

AP scores are released every year in early July through the College Board website.
Students log in to their College Board account to view scores and send them to colleges.

What Is a “Good” AP Score?

A good AP score depends on your college goals:

Can You Retake an AP Exam?

Yes.
Students may retake AP exams in later years to improve scores. Colleges typically accept the best score.

Can You Retake an AP Exam?

Each U.S. college sets its own AP credit rules.
Some colleges give credit for a 3, while others require a 4 or 5.

Students should always check the AP Credit Policy of the colleges they are applying to.