4.3 Selected Works Rubric

2026-27 AP Art and Design AI Policy

AI tools are optional. If you use them, use them ethically, responsibly, and intentionally, and keep every finished portfolio piece your own work.

• Generative AI may support research, ideation, practice, experimentation, and revision. Do not use generative AI, including generative features such as object creation, generative fill or expand, and background replacement, to create final submitted artwork.
• Non-generative AI editing may be used at any stage to faithfully represent artwork you made. Permitted examples include exposure, contrast, color correction, cropping, selection, and minor cleanup.
• Disclose every use of generative or non-generative AI in the AP Digital Portfolio for both Sustained Investigation and Selected Works.

See College Board's 2026-27 AI guidance for the complete policy.

Scoring Rubric for Selected Works

Selected works count for 40% of your AP Art & Design portfolio score, so this section should show the work that best demonstrates your skill, synthesis of materials, and written explanation. The rubric rewards the overall strength of the five works, not a checklist applied separately to each piece.

As you read the rubric, it gives this information first:

General Scoring Note

"When applying the rubric, the response does not need to meet all three criteria for each score point. You should award the score according to the preponderance of evidence (the score the majority of the work would receive): however, if the written evidence is completely unrelated to the work, the maximum score is 2." - AP Art and Design Rubric

So, if you state that the idea shown is "exploring color theory in logo design" and your image is a photo of a sunset, clearly there is a disconnect between the visual and written evidence. The rubric states the highest score you could receive would be a 2 out of 5 possible points. Make sure you support the visual evidence with your written commentary.

How is my work scored?

The five works are graded holistically (graded as one entity). Even though there maybe inconsistent quality, the body of work is graded on the level of the majority of the work. So, if you have 2 works that might rate a 3, and 3 works that would rate a 4, the preponderance of the evidence shows that this work would be scored as a 4.

When you look at the rubric below, you look for the score point that shows you achieving the at the highest level of the majority ( preponderance of the evidence) of the work. The work can still be of uneven quality, so look at what identifies the MAJORITY OF THE WORK.

Scoring Criteria

A. 2D/3D/Drawing Art and Design Skills

This portion of the rubric deals with how well you show the Principles of Design through the skillful application of your chosen media.

The skills, directly from the AP Art and Design rubric are:

• 2D/Draw - Use of two-dimensional elements and principles - point, link, shape, plane, layer, form, space, texture, color, value, opacity, transparency, time, unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition, figure/ground relationship, connection, juxtaposition, and hierarchy.
• 3D - Use of three-dimensional elements and principles - point, link, shape, plane, layer, form, space, texture, color, value, opacity, transparency, time, unity, variety, rhythm, movement, proportion, scale, balance, emphasis, contrast, repetition, figure/ground relationship, connection, juxtaposition, and hierarchy.

B. Materials, Processes, and Ideas

This score point reflects the degree to which you use materials effectively to communicate your ideas visually with the viewer. For example, if you want to create a linear sculpture with strong straight lines, you wouldn't want a soft material that could flop over or bend. Selecting the correct material to create your work is important.

Process is the way you test the materials to ensure they are able to able to do what you need for them to do so that they align with your idea. This is called synergy, where all of the parts work together to successfully create what you want.

C. Writing

This point refers to your ability to identify and briefly explain your ideas and processes. This does not need to be done in complete sentences, and spelling does not count. However, try running your work through a word processing program to double-check word count and spelling. Chop unnecessary words, and then cut and paste.

The Rubric

As you can see, the rubric aligns so that each row A score point deals with the quality of the 2D/3D/Drawing Art and Design skills. Each row B deals with materials, processes, and ideas evidence. Row C is a reflection of the quality of the writing.

Note that each score point shows a reduction (or increase, depending on if you start at the top or bottom) in how well you demonstrate what that row measures. There are qualifiers for each, so as you look at this, focus on these differences! You receive the score where you meet the MOST of the points. If you meet all three under the score point 3, but might reach 2 on the score point 4.... then you would be rated a 3. Remember... the preponderance of the evidence. 😉 👍🏽

Let's break down each score point and look at the differences between them. Keep in mind that each score point is designed to depict a RANGE of achievement within it.

Let's start with the 1 score point.

Please note here that the main words are LITTLE or NO evidence. All three rows mention unsatisfactory evidence of achievement was present for each row.

The 2 score point:

Here we see that the A, or skills, row is upgraded from LITTLE or NO to reflect RUDIMENTARY (simple or basic) skills. The other score points remain the same as the 1 score point.

The 3 score point:

At the 3 score point, there is a fundamental shift towards achievement in all three rows. Row A switches to MODERATE (adequate or average) achievement in skills. Row B states there is an evident relationship in M, P, and I, but it might be unclear or inconsistent.

Row C specifies that the writing must IDENTIFY, which means it must name the materials, processes, and ideas in your work. From this point on, if your writing identifies the materials, processes, and ideas, you have demonstrated the Row C. 3 is the first score point that might qualify you for college credit.

The 4 score point:

The 4 score point increases quality in A and B. For A, visual evidence of skills moves from moderate (average) to GOOD (proficient) skills. B moves from having evident but inconsistent relationships between M, P, and I to CLEARLY EVIDENT relationships. Row C remains the same.

The 5 score point:

The 5 score point increases quality A and B again, while C remains the same. Row A moves from good to ADVANCED (highly developed) skills, an important distinction. Row B includes clear evidence and SYNTHESIS of M, P, and I: materials, processes, and ideas working together to create a cohesive whole.