Across the country, AP College Board tests have seen a significant rise in higher scores compared to past years. The scores have risen due to a multitude of factors, such as rubric changes like shifting to an Evidence-Based Standard Setting method for all exams, which uses large-scale data analysis to set scoring standards instead of small faculty panels. High schools emphasize college readiness, making AP courses a key component of academic success. The availability of resources to students compared to past years, such as practice exams on the College Board website, can have a potential influence on this sudden positive rise in score results, showing 73% of students scoring a three or higher, and growing by 7% from 2024 to 2025.
Student reflections on their previous year with an AP course helped explain why these changes have occurred. We asked a couple of students for their input on their test results and if they believed their class performance reflected their scores.
“I feel really good about my AP test results. I think my teachers really prepared me, and I think my performance in the class did reflect my scores. I think I had really good teachers and studying on my own helped,” junior Maggie Carrol said.
Some students had confidence in their scores and positive reflections on their class performance, seeing a correlation between the two. Others disagreed with seeing any correlation, believing that their scores didn’t match their class performance.
“I don’t think my class performance reflected it cause I feel like I probably should’ve gotten a lower grade than I did,” junior Reese Chamra said.
We asked for any study techniques they used that they think improved their score. Students provided good tips and tricks to pass the exams that helped them.
“Looking over notes, reading over stuff, working out examples of problems and FRQs,” junior Ethan Lee said.
A student who also scored high on exams gave their feedback on receiving that. It came as a shock factor, but it was achievable with hard work.
“I was really surprised I got all fours and fives, so I was very happy about that, and my class performance, I got A’s in the classes, so it really helped me get those fours and fives,” junior Wyatt Booth said.
Other students had different reflections on their exam results, sharing insights on what they did differently compared to their peers. Studying has been shown to have a more positive impact on scores.
“I didn’t study, I just read it twice, and I failed the test,” senior Max Williamson said.
Research indicates that the College Board has recalibrated its scoring standards, resulting in a higher success rate, where students are more likely to score a 3 or higher on exams. Based on student feedback, with studying and hard work, a passing score on AP exams is achievable.
