AP Exams
AP Research Pass Rate
90% of students who took AP Research in 2026 scored a 3 or higher, and 17% scored a 5. That is the 40th lowest pass rate of the 40 AP exams.
Pass rate (3+)
90%
40th lowest of 40
Scored a 5
17%
22nd highest of 40
Scored a 4 or 5
48%
2026 exam
Research score distribution, 2026
| Score | Percent of test takers |
|---|---|
| 5 | 17% |
| 4 | 31% |
| 3 | 42% |
| 2 | 8% |
| 1 | 2% |
Keep these numbers
Frequently asked questions
What is the pass rate for AP Research?
90% in 2026, according to College Board. Passing means a score of 3 or higher.
What percent of students get a 5 on AP Research?
17% scored a 5 in 2026 and 31% scored a 4, so 48% earned a score that many selective colleges require for credit. That is the 22nd highest share of 5s among the 40 exams.
Is AP Research hard?
By pass rate it ranks 40th of 40, where 1st is the lowest pass rate. 10% 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.
