AP Exams
AP English Language & Composition Pass Rate
75% of students who took AP English Language & Composition in 2026 scored a 3 or higher, and 15% scored a 5. That is the 27th lowest pass rate of the 40 AP exams.
Pass rate (3+)
75%
27th lowest of 40
Scored a 5
15%
27th highest of 40
Scored a 4 or 5
43%
2026 exam
English Language & Composition score distribution, 2026
| Score | Percent of test takers |
|---|---|
| 5 | 15% |
| 4 | 28% |
| 3 | 32% |
| 2 | 15% |
| 1 | 10% |
Keep these numbers
Frequently asked questions
What is the pass rate for AP English Language & Composition?
75% in 2026, according to College Board. Passing means a score of 3 or higher.
What percent of students get a 5 on AP English Language & Composition?
15% scored a 5 in 2026 and 28% scored a 4, so 43% earned a score that many selective colleges require for credit. That is the 27th highest share of 5s among the 40 exams.
Is AP English Language & Composition hard?
By pass rate it ranks 27th of 40, where 1st is the lowest pass rate. 25% 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.
