AP Exams
AP Biology Pass Rate
71% of students who took AP Biology in 2026 scored a 3 or higher, and 15% scored a 5. That is the 16th lowest pass rate of the 40 AP exams.
Pass rate (3+)
71%
16th lowest of 40
Scored a 5
15%
27th highest of 40
Scored a 4 or 5
40%
2026 exam
Biology score distribution, 2026
| Score | Percent of test takers |
|---|---|
| 5 | 15% |
| 4 | 25% |
| 3 | 31% |
| 2 | 21% |
| 1 | 8% |
Keep these numbers
Frequently asked questions
What is the pass rate for AP Biology?
71% in 2026, according to College Board. Passing means a score of 3 or higher.
What percent of students get a 5 on AP Biology?
15% scored a 5 in 2026 and 25% scored a 4, so 40% earned a score that many selective colleges require for credit. That is the 27th highest share of 5s among the 40 exams.
Is AP Biology hard?
By pass rate it ranks 16th of 40, where 1st is the lowest pass rate. 29% of test takers scored a 1 or a 2. Pass rates depend on who takes the exam as well as on the exam itself, so use them as one signal, not a verdict.
Source: College Board, 2026 AP Score Distributions. Percentages are whole numbers as College Board publishes them.
