AP Exams
AP English Literature & Composition Pass Rate
73% of students who took AP English Literature & Composition in 2026 scored a 3 or higher, and 16% scored a 5. That is the 22nd lowest pass rate of the 40 AP exams.
Pass rate (3+)
73%
22nd lowest of 40
Scored a 5
16%
24th highest of 40
Scored a 4 or 5
42%
2026 exam
English Literature & Composition score distribution, 2026
| Score | Percent of test takers |
|---|---|
| 5 | 16% |
| 4 | 26% |
| 3 | 31% |
| 2 | 16% |
| 1 | 11% |
Keep these numbers
Frequently asked questions
What is the pass rate for AP English Literature & Composition?
73% in 2026, according to College Board. Passing means a score of 3 or higher.
What percent of students get a 5 on AP English Literature & Composition?
16% scored a 5 in 2026 and 26% scored a 4, so 42% earned a score that many selective colleges require for credit. That is the 24th highest share of 5s among the 40 exams.
Is AP English Literature & Composition hard?
By pass rate it ranks 22nd of 40, where 1st is the lowest pass rate. 27% 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.
