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Advanced Placement

AP Course Grades vs AP Scores

Written by Apoorvaa Agarwal

Updated on: 04 Jun 2024

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1AP Overview2AP Courses3AP Exams4AP Scores5AP Credits6AP Credit Policy7AP Biology Credit Policy8AP Biology Exam9AP Biology Practice Tests10AP Calculus AB Credit Policy11AP Calculus AB Exam12AP Calculus AB Formula Sheet13AP Calculus AB Practice Tests14AP Calculus BC Credit Policy15AP Calculus BC Exam16AP Calculus BC Formula Sheet17AP Calculus BC Practice Tests18AP Chemistry Credit Policy19AP Chemistry Exam20AP Chemistry Formula Sheet21AP Chemistry Practice Tests22AP Computer Science A Credit Policy23AP Computer Science A Practice Tests24AP Computer Science Principles Practice Tests25AP Computer Science A Exam26AP Computer Science Principles Credit Policy27AP Computer Science Principles Exam28AP English Language29AP English Literature30AP Human Geography Exam31AP Macroeconomics Practice Tests32AP Microeconomics Practice Tests33AP Physics 1 Credit Policy34AP Physics 1 Exam35AP Physics 2 Exam36AP Physics 1 Formula Sheet37AP Physics 1 Practice Tests38AP Physics 2 Credit Policy39AP Physics 2 Formula Sheet40AP Physics 2 Practice Tests41AP Physics C E&M Formula Sheet42AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism Exam 43AP Physics C Mechanics Exam 44AP Physics C Mechanics Practice Tests45AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism Practice Tests46AP Physics C Mechanics Formula Sheet47AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Credit Policy48AP Physics C: Mechanics Credit Policy49AP Psychology Exam50AP Statistics Exam51AP Statistics Practice Tests52AP Statistics Credit Policy53AP Statistics Formula Sheet54AP US History Practice Tests55AP Spanish Language56AP Enviornmental Science57AP World History Modern58AP US Government and Politics59AP US History Exam60AP European History Exam61AP Comparitive Government and Politics62AP Microeconomics63AP Macroeceonomics64AP PreCalculus65AP Course Placement66AP Score Report67AP Sending Scores68AP Pass Score69AP Exam Dates70AP Exam Fee71AP Free Response Questions72AP Document Based Questions73AP Multiple Choice Questions74AP Performance Task75AP Study Guides76AP Review Books77AP Course Syllabus78AP Course Audit79College Board80AP Course Ledger81AP Exam Fee Reductions82AP Pass Rate83AP Score Distribution84AP Practice Tests85AP Worksheets86AP Formula Sheets87AP Perfect Score88AP Daily Videos89AP Classroom90AP Central91Pre AP92AP Alumni Network93AP Capstone94AP Classroom Resources95AP Self Study Exams96AP Course Grades Vs AP Scores97AP Exam Calculator Policy98AP Scholar Award99AP Course And Exam Description100AP Classes101AP TextBooks102Benefits Of AP103AP Results104Dual Credits105Pre AP To AP Course Map106Digital AP Exams107AP Course Pairs108AP Lab Manuals109AP Daily Instructors110Best Sites for AP Physics Tutoring111Online Tutoring Can Help You With AP Physics Test Prep112Average Cost Of AP Physics Tutoring113Finding An AP Physics Tutor114Finding An AP Chemistry Tutor115Online Tutoring Can Help You With AP Chemistry Test Prep116Cost Of AP Chemistry Tutoring

What are AP course grades?

AP course grades are assigned by high school AP course teachers and they reflect the student’s performance on class participation, homework assignments, and tests.

AP course grades are part of your school GPA. The grading system can vary from school to school and typically is composed of 4 grades – D, C, B, and A. Grades are converted to 4-point GPA (Grade Point average) with Grade A being the highest and equivalent to a 4 on the GPA scale. 

What are AP Scores?

AP scores are provided by the College Board on the AP exam and reflect the student’s performance on the standardized exam that covers the material from the AP course.

AP exam scores are reported on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest score. Most colleges and universities give credit to students who earn a 4 or 5 on an AP exam.

What is the difference between AP Course Grades vs AP Scores?

The main difference between AP course grades and AP scores is that grades are a measure of a student’s performance in the AP course over the school year, while scores are a measure of a student’s performance on a single standardized exam at the end of the year.

AP course grades are part of your GPA and provided by the school you are studying in and AP scores are provided by The College Board. 

For that reason, the grades and scores may differ for the same subject. For example, a student might get a B in an AP English Literature course, but then go on to score a 5 on the AP English Literature exam. 

Key SpecsAP Course GradeAP Score
What is it?Measure of student’s performance in an AP class over the year. (You may also be graded by semester)Student’s performance on a single standardized test at the end of the school year.
Who assigns themSchoolThe College Board
How it is assignedClass participation, homework completion, performance on tests, and assignments.Performance on a single standardized AP test in the chosen subject.
How is it measuredTo measure a student’s progress and mastery of the material in an AP class.To assess a student’s knowledge and understanding of the material in a particular AP subject.
What is it used forTo determine a student’s final grade in a class and to calculate their GPAUsed for college admissions, course placement, and to earn college credit
AP course grades vs AP scores

Is it possible to get high AP course grades and poor AP scores and vice versa?

Yes, a student can receive a good grade in the AP course and not score well on the AP exams.

For example, a student may receive an “A” in an AP class by participating in class discussions, completing all of their homework assignments, and doing well on average on the in-class tests.

However, the student may not score a “5” if they do not do well in the end-of-year AP exam.

Summary

AP course grades are part of a student’s GPA, while AP scores are used for college admissions, course placement, and to earn college credit.

It is possible to get high AP course grades and poor AP scores, and vice versa. This is because the two measures assess different things. AP course grades measure a student’s performance in the class throughout the year, while AP scores measure a student’s knowledge and understanding of the material in a particular AP subject.

Written by by

Apoorvaa Agarwal

Reviewed by by

Priyanshi Agrawal

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