More California students passing AP exams

AP Exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, according to the College Board. U.S. colleges often allow students who pass an exam with a score of 3 or better to skip the equivalent course.

The increased number of students taking AP exams can be attributed, in part, to more Black and Latino students taking the tests. There was an 8.5% increase in the number of Black students and a 5.3% increase in the number of Latino students who took AP exams in 2025, compared to the previous year.

“California students are showing the nation what’s possible when access meets opportunity,” said Greg Walker, senior vice president of State and District Partnerships for the College Board, which administers the AP program. “Programs like AP African American Studies help students see themselves reflected in the curriculum and give them the tools to succeed in college. We are proud to see more students across the board not just participating in AP, but thriving.”

The most popular AP subjects in California this year include English Language and Composition, U.S. History, U.S. Government and Politics, Spanish Language and Culture, Calculus AB and Biology. More than 25,000 AP Precalculus exams were taken statewide, with 78% earning a score of 3 or higher.

For more information about the Advanced Placement program, visit www.collegeboard.org.