---
title: "The AP FRQ Rubric Points Students Miss Most | Fiveable"
description: "Share of AP free-response rubric points students earn, by subject, question type and rubric row, with methodology and a CSV download."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-frq-rubric-points-students-miss"
type: "static-page"
---

# The AP FRQ Rubric Points Students Miss Most | Fiveable

## Overview

Across 68,476 AP® free-response answers scored on Fiveable from January 27, 2026 to October 15, 2026, the rubric points students miss most are Sophistication, Complexity and Alternate perspective. The hardest single point is Sophistication on the AP English Literature Prose Analysis Essay, where students earned 5% of the points available.

Data through October 15, 2026. [Download the full table as CSV](/ap-frq-rubric-points-students-miss/rubric-points.csv).

## The 10 rubric points students miss most

1. **AP English Literature Prose Analysis Essay, Sophistication**: 5% of points earned across 930 responses.
2. **AP English Literature Poetry Analysis Essay, Sophistication**: 7% of points earned across 845 responses.
3. **AP English Language Rhetorical Analysis Essay, Sophistication**: 9% of points earned across 2,596 responses.
4. **AP European History LEQ, Complexity**: 13% of points earned across 2,088 responses.
5. **AP English Literature Literary Argument Essay, Sophistication**: 13% of points earned across 1,447 responses.
6. **AP US Government Argument Essay, Alternate perspective**: 16% of points earned across 1,907 responses.
7. **AP World History: Modern LEQ, Complexity**: 17% of points earned across 3,648 responses.
8. **AP US History LEQ, Complexity**: 18% of points earned across 2,202 responses.
9. **AP English Language Argument Essay, Sophistication**: 20% of points earned across 2,349 responses.
10. **AP English Language Synthesis Essay, Sophistication**: 20% of points earned across 1,306 responses.

## How to earn these points

### Sophistication: AP English Literature

Build an interpretation that accounts for tension, ambiguity or contradiction in the text, and develop it in every paragraph. A broad theme statement or a stylish final line rarely earns the point on its own. Practice: [AP English Literature Prose Analysis Essay](/ap-lit/frqs/prose-analysis), [AP English Literature Poetry Analysis Essay](/ap-lit/frqs/poetry-analysis), [AP English Literature Literary Argument Essay](/ap-lit/frqs/literary-argument).

### Sophistication: AP English Language

Sophistication is judged on the essay as a whole. Explain why the choices or evidence matter in this specific situation, acknowledge a tension or limit in your own position, and keep that thinking going in every paragraph rather than adding it at the end. Practice: [AP English Language Rhetorical Analysis Essay](/ap-lang/frqs/rhetorical-analysis), [AP English Language Argument Essay](/ap-lang/frqs/argument-essay), [AP English Language Synthesis Essay](/ap-lang/frqs/synthesis-essay).

### Complexity: AP European History, AP World History: Modern and AP US History

Plan it before you write. Qualify your thesis, weigh more than one cause or perspective, or connect the topic to another period, then keep that thread running through the body paragraphs. One clever closing sentence rarely earns it. Practice: [AP European History LEQ](/ap-euro/frqs/leq), [AP World History: Modern LEQ](/ap-world/frqs/leq), [AP US History LEQ](/apush/frqs/leq).

### Alternate perspective: AP US Government

Name a specific opposing view, then refute, concede or rebut it with reasoning or evidence. A single sentence saying that some people disagree does not earn the point. Practice: [AP US Government Argument Essay](/ap-gov/frqs/argument-essay).

## The hardest rubric row in each question type

| Subject | Question type | Hardest rubric row | Points earned | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| AP Biology | [Experimental Results FRQ](/ap-bio/frqs/experimental-results) | D: Claims | 48% | 1,472 |
| AP Biology | [Graphing FRQ](/ap-bio/frqs/graphing) | B: Graph | 41% | 196 |
| AP Biology | [Scientific Investigation FRQ](/ap-bio/frqs/scientific-investigation) | D: Justification | 61% | 542 |
| AP Biology | [Conceptual Analysis FRQ](/ap-bio/frqs/conceptual-analysis) | B: Explain | 60% | 524 |
| AP Biology | [Model Analysis FRQ](/ap-bio/frqs/model-analysis) | D: Big idea | 55% | 477 |
| AP Biology | [Data Analysis FRQ](/ap-bio/frqs/data-analysis) | D: Biology principle | 39% | 259 |
| AP Calculus AB/BC | [Calculator FRQ](/ap-calc/frqs/calculator) | C: Build | 50% | 213 |
| AP Calculus AB/BC | [No-Calculator FRQ](/ap-calc/frqs/no-calculator) | D: Conclude | 41% | 101 |
| AP Chemistry | [FRQ 1 Long Answer](/ap-chem/frqs/frq-1) | F: Prediction | 37% | 311 |
| AP Chemistry | [FRQ 3 Long Answer](/ap-chem/frqs/frq-3) | E: Linked step | 41% | 154 |
| AP Comparative Government | [Conceptual Analysis FRQ](/ap-comp-gov/frqs/conceptual-analysis) | C: Explain how | 60% | 954 |
| AP Comparative Government | [Quantitative Analysis FRQ](/ap-comp-gov/frqs/quantitative-analysis) | E: Implication | 52% | 388 |
| AP Comparative Government | [Comparative Analysis FRQ](/ap-comp-gov/frqs/comparative-analysis) | C: Explain | 52% | 395 |
| AP Comparative Government | [Argument Essay](/ap-comp-gov/frqs/argument-essay) | B: Evidence | 76% | 292 |
| AP Computer Science A | [Methods FRQ](/ap-comp-sci-a/frqs/methods-and-control-structures) | B: String methods | 56% | 709 |
| AP Computer Science A | [Class Design FRQ](/ap-comp-sci-a/frqs/class-design) | A: The full class | 71% | 293 |
| AP Computer Science A | [ArrayList FRQ](/ap-comp-sci-a/frqs/arraylist) | A: One method | 70% | 371 |
| AP Computer Science A | [2D Array FRQ](/ap-comp-sci-a/frqs/2d-array) | A: One method | 71% | 297 |
| AP Computer Science Principles | [Written Response](/ap-comp-sci-p/frqs/written-response-2) | C: Data and procedural abstraction | 47% | 230 |
| AP English Language | [Synthesis Essay](/ap-lang/frqs/synthesis-essay) | C: Sophistication | 20% | 1,306 |
| AP English Language | [Rhetorical Analysis Essay](/ap-lang/frqs/rhetorical-analysis) | C: Sophistication | 9% | 2,596 |
| AP English Language | [Argument Essay](/ap-lang/frqs/argument-essay) | C: Sophistication | 20% | 2,349 |
| AP English Literature | [Poetry Analysis Essay](/ap-lit/frqs/poetry-analysis) | C: Sophistication | 7% | 845 |
| AP English Literature | [Prose Analysis Essay](/ap-lit/frqs/prose-analysis) | C: Sophistication | 5% | 930 |
| AP English Literature | [Literary Argument Essay](/ap-lit/frqs/literary-argument) | C: Sophistication | 13% | 1,447 |
| AP Environmental Science | [Investigation Design FRQ](/ap-enviro/frqs/design-an-investigation) | G: Results | 36% | 397 |
| AP Environmental Science | [Data Analysis FRQ](/ap-enviro/frqs/data-analysis) | D: Explanation | 54% | 185 |
| AP Environmental Science | [Calculation FRQ](/ap-enviro/frqs/calculations) | G: Calculation | 38% | 156 |
| AP European History | [DBQ](/ap-euro/frqs/dbq) | D2: Complexity | 22% | 1,448 |
| AP European History | [LEQ](/ap-euro/frqs/leq) | D2: Complexity | 13% | 2,088 |
| AP European History | [SAQ](/ap-euro/frqs/saq) | C: Explain | 45% | 3,834 |
| AP Human Geography | [No-Stimulus FRQ](/ap-hug/frqs/no-stimulus) | F: Third explanation | 57% | 3,647 |
| AP Human Geography | [One-Stimulus FRQ](/ap-hug/frqs/one-stimulus) | F: Third explanation | 54% | 1,565 |
| AP Human Geography | [Two-Stimulus FRQ](/ap-hug/frqs/two-stimulus) | G: Final explanation | 50% | 1,238 |
| AP Macroeconomics | [Long FRQ](/ap-macro/frqs/long-frq) | F: Extension | 44% | 153 |
| AP Microeconomics | [Long FRQ](/ap-micro/frqs/long-frq) | E: Extension | 46% | 172 |
| AP Microeconomics | [Question 2 Short FRQ](/ap-micro/frqs/short-frq-2) | C: Three-part analysis | 41% | 116 |
| AP Physics 1 | [Mathematical Routines FRQ](/ap-physics-1-revised/frqs/mathematical-routines) | B: Claim | 48% | 144 |
| AP Psychology | [AAQ](/ap-psych-revised/frqs/aaq) | F: Argumentation | 44% | 2,285 |
| AP Psychology | [EBQ](/ap-psych-revised/frqs/ebq) | C: Second source | 57% | 1,493 |
| AP US Government | [Concept Application FRQ](/ap-gov/frqs/concept-application) | C: Explain | 53% | 2,847 |
| AP US Government | [Quantitative Analysis FRQ](/ap-gov/frqs/quantitative-analysis) | D: Principle | 39% | 1,696 |
| AP US Government | [SCOTUS Comparison FRQ](/ap-gov/frqs/scotus-comparison) | C: Connect | 66% | 1,644 |
| AP US Government | [Argument Essay](/ap-gov/frqs/argument-essay) | D: Alternate perspective | 16% | 1,907 |
| AP US History | [DBQ](/apush/frqs/dbq) | D2: Complexity | 23% | 1,945 |
| AP US History | [LEQ](/apush/frqs/leq) | D2: Complexity | 18% | 2,202 |
| AP US History | [SAQ](/apush/frqs/saq) | C: Explain | 54% | 5,152 |
| AP World History: Modern | [DBQ](/ap-world/frqs/dbq) | D2: Complexity | 21% | 3,064 |
| AP World History: Modern | [LEQ](/ap-world/frqs/leq) | D2: Complexity | 17% | 3,648 |
| AP World History: Modern | [SAQ](/ap-world/frqs/saq) | C: Explain | 54% | 7,799 |

## Every question type, row by row

Percent of available points earned on each rubric row. A dash means fewer than 100 responses from that source, so no figure is shown.

### AP Biology

**[Interpreting and Evaluating Experimental Results question](/ap-bio/frqs/experimental-results)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Biology concept | 1 | 68% | 68% | — | 1,472 |
| B: Experimental design | 3 | 80% | 80% | — | 1,472 |
| C: Data analysis | 3 | 73% | 73% | — | 1,472 |
| D: Claims | 2 | 48% | 49% | — | 1,472 |

**[Interpreting and Evaluating Experimental Results with Graphing question](/ap-bio/frqs/graphing)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Biology concept | 1 | 63% | 62% | — | 196 |
| B: Graph | 4 | 41% | 40% | — | 196 |
| C: Data analysis | 2 | 71% | 71% | — | 196 |
| D: Claims | 2 | 56% | 56% | — | 196 |

**[Scientific Investigation question](/ap-bio/frqs/scientific-investigation)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Biology concept | 1 | 69% | 69% | — | 542 |
| B: Procedure | 1 | 73% | 72% | — | 542 |
| C: Hypothesis | 1 | 78% | 78% | — | 542 |
| D: Justification | 1 | 61% | 61% | — | 542 |

**[Conceptual Analysis question](/ap-bio/frqs/conceptual-analysis)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Describe | 1 | 73% | 72% | — | 524 |
| B: Explain | 1 | 60% | 61% | — | 524 |
| C: Predict | 1 | 68% | 68% | — | 524 |
| D: Justify | 1 | 63% | 63% | — | 524 |

**[Analyze Model or Visual Representation question](/ap-bio/frqs/model-analysis)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Describe the model | 1 | 78% | 78% | — | 477 |
| B: Relationships | 1 | 64% | 64% | — | 477 |
| C: Represent | 1 | 84% | 87% | — | 477 |
| D: Big idea | 1 | 55% | 57% | — | 477 |

**[Analyze Data question](/ap-bio/frqs/data-analysis)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Read the data | 1 | 93% | 94% | — | 259 |
| B: Describe the data | 1 | 83% | 83% | — | 259 |
| C: Evaluate | 1 | 57% | 58% | — | 259 |
| D: Biology principle | 1 | 39% | 40% | — | 259 |

### AP Calculus AB/BC

**[Calculator-Required FRQ](/ap-calc/frqs/calculator)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Set up | 2 | 67% | 67% | — | 213 |
| B: Apply | 2 | 58% | 58% | — | 213 |
| C: Build | 2 | 50% | 50% | — | 213 |
| D: Conclude | 3 | 54% | 54% | — | 213 |

**[No-Calculator FRQ](/ap-calc/frqs/no-calculator)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Evaluate | 2 | 69% | 69% | — | 101 |
| B: Apply | 2 | 60% | 59% | — | 101 |
| C: Extend | 2 | 50% | 50% | — | 101 |
| D: Conclude | 3 | 41% | 41% | — | 101 |

### AP Chemistry

**[Long Answer Question (FRQ 1)](/ap-chem/frqs/frq-1)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Setup | 2 | 67% | 67% | — | 311 |
| B: Calculation | 2 | 57% | 57% | — | 311 |
| C: Short calculation | 1 | 52% | 52% | — | 311 |
| D: Linked calculation | 2 | 43% | 43% | — | 311 |
| E: Justification | 2 | 48% | 48% | — | 311 |
| F: Prediction | 1 | 37% | 37% | — | 311 |

**[Long Answer Question (FRQ 3)](/ap-chem/frqs/frq-3)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Representation | 2 | 67% | 67% | — | 154 |
| B: Explanation | 2 | 60% | 60% | — | 154 |
| C: Calculation | 2 | 48% | 48% | — | 154 |
| D: Justification | 2 | 47% | 47% | — | 154 |
| E: Linked step | 1 | 41% | 41% | — | 154 |
| F: Conclusion | 1 | 43% | 43% | — | 154 |

### AP Comparative Government

**[Conceptual Analysis question](/ap-comp-gov/frqs/conceptual-analysis)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Describe | 1 | 63% | 62% | — | 954 |
| B: Describe | 1 | 71% | 70% | — | 954 |
| C: Explain how | 1 | 60% | 60% | — | 954 |
| D: Explain why | 1 | 69% | 68% | — | 954 |

**[Quantitative Analysis question](/ap-comp-gov/frqs/quantitative-analysis)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Identify | 1 | 84% | 86% | 78% | 388 |
| B: Pattern | 1 | 78% | 77% | 79% | 388 |
| C: Concept | 1 | 71% | 69% | 75% | 388 |
| D: Conclusion | 1 | 55% | 59% | 44% | 388 |
| E: Implication | 1 | 52% | 48% | 64% | 388 |

**[Comparative Analysis question](/ap-comp-gov/frqs/comparative-analysis)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Define | 1 | 72% | 68% | — | 395 |
| B: Two countries | 2 | 73% | 74% | — | 395 |
| C: Explain | 2 | 52% | 50% | — | 395 |

**[Argument Essay](/ap-comp-gov/frqs/argument-essay)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Thesis | 1 | 96% | — | 97% | 292 |
| B: Evidence | 2 | 76% | — | 80% | 292 |
| C: Reasoning | 1 | 81% | — | 87% | 292 |
| D: Alternate perspective | 1 | 76% | — | 80% | 292 |

### AP Computer Science A

**[Methods and Control Structures question](/ap-comp-sci-a/frqs/methods-and-control-structures)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Loops and method calls | 4 | 63% | 63% | — | 709 |
| B: String methods | 3 | 56% | 56% | — | 709 |

**[Class Design question](/ap-comp-sci-a/frqs/class-design)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: The full class | 7 | 71% | 71% | — | 293 |

**[Data Analysis with ArrayList question](/ap-comp-sci-a/frqs/arraylist)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: One method | 5 | 70% | 70% | — | 371 |

**[2D Array question](/ap-comp-sci-a/frqs/2d-array)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: One method | 6 | 71% | 71% | — | 297 |

### AP Computer Science Principles

**[Written Response 2](/ap-comp-sci-p/frqs/written-response-2)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Algorithm development | 1 | 62% | 62% | — | 230 |
| B: Errors and testing | 1 | 55% | 63% | — | 230 |
| C: Data and procedural abstraction | 1 | 47% | 53% | — | 230 |

### AP English Language

**[Synthesis Essay](/ap-lang/frqs/synthesis-essay)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Thesis | 1 | 98% | — | 98% | 1,306 |
| B: Evidence and commentary | 4 | 73% | — | 73% | 1,306 |
| C: Sophistication | 1 | 20% | — | 20% | 1,306 |

**[Rhetorical Analysis Essay](/ap-lang/frqs/rhetorical-analysis)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Thesis | 1 | 92% | 91% | 92% | 2,596 |
| B: Evidence and commentary | 4 | 64% | 59% | 65% | 2,596 |
| C: Sophistication | 1 | 9% | 12% | 8% | 2,596 |

**[Argument Essay](/ap-lang/frqs/argument-essay)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Thesis | 1 | 98% | 98% | 98% | 2,349 |
| B: Evidence and commentary | 4 | 67% | 70% | 66% | 2,349 |
| C: Sophistication | 1 | 20% | 25% | 19% | 2,349 |

### AP English Literature

**[Poetry Analysis Essay](/ap-lit/frqs/poetry-analysis)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Thesis | 1 | 97% | 89% | 98% | 845 |
| B: Evidence and commentary | 4 | 68% | 61% | 69% | 845 |
| C: Sophistication | 1 | 7% | 10% | 6% | 845 |

**[Prose Fiction Analysis Essay](/ap-lit/frqs/prose-analysis)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Thesis | 1 | 94% | — | 94% | 930 |
| B: Evidence and commentary | 4 | 62% | — | 62% | 930 |
| C: Sophistication | 1 | 5% | — | 4% | 930 |

**[Literary Argument Essay](/ap-lit/frqs/literary-argument)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Thesis | 1 | 94% | — | 94% | 1,447 |
| B: Evidence and commentary | 4 | 71% | — | 70% | 1,447 |
| C: Sophistication | 1 | 13% | — | 12% | 1,447 |

### AP Environmental Science

**[Design an Investigation question](/ap-enviro/frqs/design-an-investigation)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Concept | 1 | 64% | 64% | — | 397 |
| B: Explanation | 1 | 52% | 52% | — | 397 |
| C: Read the data | 1 | 54% | 54% | — | 397 |
| D: Relationship | 1 | 70% | 70% | — | 397 |
| E: Hypothesis | 1 | 50% | 50% | — | 397 |
| F: Investigation | 2 | 63% | 63% | — | 397 |
| G: Results | 2 | 36% | 36% | — | 397 |
| H: Connection | 1 | 48% | 48% | — | 397 |

**[Analyze and Interpret Quantitative Data question](/ap-enviro/frqs/data-analysis)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Read the figure | 1 | 88% | 88% | — | 185 |
| B: Identify | 1 | 77% | 77% | — | 185 |
| C: Key term | 1 | 81% | 81% | — | 185 |
| D: Explanation | 1 | 54% | 54% | — | 185 |
| E: Effect | 1 | 74% | 74% | — | 185 |
| F: Solution | 1 | 77% | 77% | — | 185 |
| G: Related concept | 1 | 55% | 55% | — | 185 |
| H: Justification | 1 | 60% | 60% | — | 185 |
| I: Related problem | 1 | 57% | 57% | — | 185 |
| J: Extension | 1 | 54% | 54% | — | 185 |

**[Analyze an Environmental Problem Doing Calculations question](/ap-enviro/frqs/calculations)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Identify | 1 | 67% | 67% | — | 156 |
| B: Describe | 1 | 53% | 53% | — | 156 |
| C: Explain | 1 | 41% | 41% | — | 156 |
| D: Calculation | 2 | 55% | 55% | — | 156 |
| E: Calculation | 2 | 48% | 48% | — | 156 |
| F: Solution | 1 | 54% | 54% | — | 156 |
| G: Calculation | 2 | 38% | 38% | — | 156 |

### AP European History

**[Document-Based Question](/ap-euro/frqs/dbq)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Thesis | 1 | 89% | — | 89% | 1,448 |
| B: Contextualization | 1 | 73% | — | 73% | 1,448 |
| C1: Evidence: document content | 1 | 89% | — | 90% | 1,448 |
| C2: Evidence: documents support the argument | 1 | 66% | — | 66% | 1,448 |
| C3: Evidence beyond the documents | 1 | 48% | — | 47% | 1,448 |
| D1: Sourcing | 1 | 40% | — | 39% | 1,448 |
| D2: Complexity | 1 | 22% | — | 21% | 1,448 |

**[Long Essay Question](/ap-euro/frqs/leq)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Thesis | 1 | 75% | 80% | 74% | 2,088 |
| B: Contextualization | 1 | 59% | 67% | 58% | 2,088 |
| C1: Evidence: specific examples | 1 | 76% | 74% | 77% | 2,088 |
| C2: Evidence: supports the argument | 1 | 64% | 67% | 64% | 2,088 |
| D1: Historical reasoning | 1 | 74% | 80% | 73% | 2,088 |
| D2: Complexity | 1 | 13% | 27% | 10% | 2,088 |

**[Short Answer Question](/ap-euro/frqs/saq)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Describe | 1 | 72% | 77% | 70% | 3,834 |
| B: Explain | 1 | 57% | 62% | 55% | 3,834 |
| C: Explain | 1 | 45% | 54% | 41% | 3,834 |

### AP Human Geography

**[No-Stimulus FRQ (Question 1)](/ap-hug/frqs/no-stimulus)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Definition | 1 | 66% | 69% | 59% | 3,647 |
| B: Description | 1 | 70% | 72% | 68% | 3,647 |
| C: Second description | 1 | 67% | 69% | 62% | 3,647 |
| D: Explanation | 1 | 59% | 61% | 57% | 3,647 |
| E: Second explanation | 1 | 60% | 60% | 62% | 3,647 |
| F: Third explanation | 1 | 57% | 61% | 51% | 3,647 |
| G: Degree | 1 | 61% | 64% | 56% | 3,647 |

**[One-Stimulus FRQ (Question 2)](/ap-hug/frqs/one-stimulus)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Identify | 1 | 73% | 78% | 68% | 1,565 |
| B: Description | 1 | 63% | 66% | 61% | 1,565 |
| C: Concept | 1 | 63% | 68% | 58% | 1,565 |
| D: Explanation | 1 | 62% | 61% | 63% | 1,565 |
| E: Second explanation | 1 | 61% | 67% | 57% | 1,565 |
| F: Third explanation | 1 | 54% | 60% | 51% | 1,565 |
| G: Limitation | 1 | 59% | 63% | 56% | 1,565 |

**[Two-Stimulus FRQ (Question 3)](/ap-hug/frqs/two-stimulus)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Identify | 1 | 60% | 80% | 51% | 1,238 |
| B: Description | 1 | 60% | 60% | 60% | 1,238 |
| C: Comparison | 1 | 63% | 62% | 63% | 1,238 |
| D: Explanation | 1 | 60% | 73% | 54% | 1,238 |
| E: Second explanation | 1 | 56% | 69% | 50% | 1,238 |
| F: Third explanation | 1 | 58% | 71% | 52% | 1,238 |
| G: Final explanation | 1 | 50% | 55% | 47% | 1,238 |

### AP Macroeconomics

**[Long FRQ (Question 1)](/ap-macro/frqs/long-frq)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Starting graph | 2 | 52% | 52% | — | 153 |
| B: Next step | 2 | 73% | 73% | — | 153 |
| C: Graph or calculation | 2 | 68% | 68% | — | 153 |
| D: Related market | 2 | 55% | 55% | — | 153 |
| E: Explanation | 1 | 45% | 45% | — | 153 |
| F: Extension | 1 | 44% | 44% | — | 153 |

### AP Microeconomics

**[Long FRQ (Question 1)](/ap-micro/frqs/long-frq)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Graph | 4 | 63% | 63% | — | 172 |
| B: Analysis | 1 | 62% | 62% | — | 172 |
| C: A change | 2 | 66% | 66% | — | 172 |
| D: Effect | 1 | 53% | 53% | — | 172 |
| E: Extension | 2 | 46% | 46% | — | 172 |

**[Short FRQ (Question 2)](/ap-micro/frqs/short-frq-2)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: First result | 1 | 63% | 63% | — | 116 |
| B: Explanation | 1 | 49% | 49% | — | 116 |
| C: Three-part analysis | 3 | 41% | 41% | — | 116 |

### AP Physics 1

**[Mathematical Routines question](/ap-physics-1-revised/frqs/mathematical-routines)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Analysis | 7 | 56% | 59% | — | 144 |
| B: Claim | 3 | 48% | 47% | — | 144 |

### AP Psychology

**[Article Analysis Question](/ap-psych-revised/frqs/aaq)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Research method | 1 | 63% | 71% | 56% | 2,285 |
| B: Operational definition | 1 | 56% | 68% | 45% | 2,285 |
| C: Statistics | 1 | 47% | 60% | 37% | 2,285 |
| D: Ethics | 1 | 72% | 81% | 66% | 2,285 |
| E: Generalizability | 1 | 64% | 74% | 56% | 2,285 |
| F: Argumentation | 2 | 44% | 47% | 41% | 2,285 |

**[Evidence-Based Question](/ap-psych-revised/frqs/ebq)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Claim | 1 | 79% | 71% | 85% | 1,493 |
| B: First source | 3 | 63% | 68% | 61% | 1,493 |
| C: Second source | 3 | 57% | 59% | 56% | 1,493 |

### AP US Government

**[Concept Application question](/ap-gov/frqs/concept-application)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Describe | 1 | 57% | 66% | 51% | 2,847 |
| B: Explain | 1 | 59% | 77% | 47% | 2,847 |
| C: Explain | 1 | 53% | 63% | 46% | 2,847 |

**[Quantitative Analysis question](/ap-gov/frqs/quantitative-analysis)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Identify | 1 | 80% | 89% | 75% | 1,696 |
| B: Pattern | 1 | 81% | 80% | 81% | 1,696 |
| C: Conclusion | 1 | 47% | 62% | 39% | 1,696 |
| D: Principle | 1 | 39% | 46% | 35% | 1,696 |

**[SCOTUS Comparison question](/ap-gov/frqs/scotus-comparison)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Identify | 1 | 84% | 89% | 82% | 1,644 |
| B: Compare | 2 | 69% | 75% | 65% | 1,644 |
| C: Connect | 1 | 66% | 69% | 64% | 1,644 |

**[Argument Essay](/ap-gov/frqs/argument-essay)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Thesis | 1 | 89% | 92% | 88% | 1,907 |
| B: Evidence | 3 | 65% | 77% | 63% | 1,907 |
| C: Reasoning | 1 | 64% | 66% | 63% | 1,907 |
| D: Alternate perspective | 1 | 16% | 16% | 16% | 1,907 |

### AP US History

**[Document-Based Question](/apush/frqs/dbq)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Thesis | 1 | 84% | 83% | 85% | 1,945 |
| B: Contextualization | 1 | 71% | 73% | 70% | 1,945 |
| C1: Evidence: document content | 1 | 86% | 76% | 87% | 1,945 |
| C2: Evidence: documents support the argument | 1 | 70% | 66% | 70% | 1,945 |
| C3: Evidence beyond the documents | 1 | 68% | 74% | 68% | 1,945 |
| D1: Sourcing | 1 | 42% | 47% | 42% | 1,945 |
| D2: Complexity | 1 | 23% | 24% | 23% | 1,945 |

**[Long Essay Question](/apush/frqs/leq)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Thesis | 1 | 77% | 79% | 77% | 2,202 |
| B: Contextualization | 1 | 66% | 64% | 68% | 2,202 |
| C1: Evidence: specific examples | 1 | 80% | 77% | 81% | 2,202 |
| C2: Evidence: supports the argument | 1 | 73% | 73% | 72% | 2,202 |
| D1: Historical reasoning | 1 | 80% | 80% | 80% | 2,202 |
| D2: Complexity | 1 | 18% | 18% | 18% | 2,202 |

**[Short Answer Question](/apush/frqs/saq)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Describe | 1 | 74% | 75% | 73% | 5,152 |
| B: Explain | 1 | 61% | 63% | 60% | 5,152 |
| C: Explain | 1 | 54% | 50% | 59% | 5,152 |

### AP World History: Modern

**[Document-Based Question](/ap-world/frqs/dbq)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Thesis | 1 | 84% | 84% | 85% | 3,064 |
| B: Contextualization | 1 | 58% | 77% | 55% | 3,064 |
| C1: Evidence: document content | 1 | 83% | 75% | 84% | 3,064 |
| C2: Evidence: documents support the argument | 1 | 66% | 63% | 66% | 3,064 |
| C3: Evidence beyond the documents | 1 | 32% | 57% | 28% | 3,064 |
| D1: Sourcing | 1 | 26% | 47% | 23% | 3,064 |
| D2: Complexity | 1 | 21% | 25% | 20% | 3,064 |

**[Long Essay Question](/ap-world/frqs/leq)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Thesis | 1 | 78% | 82% | 77% | 3,648 |
| B: Contextualization | 1 | 57% | 63% | 54% | 3,648 |
| C1: Evidence: specific examples | 1 | 76% | 74% | 76% | 3,648 |
| C2: Evidence: supports the argument | 1 | 71% | 69% | 72% | 3,648 |
| D1: Historical reasoning | 1 | 80% | 78% | 80% | 3,648 |
| D2: Complexity | 1 | 17% | 16% | 17% | 3,648 |

**[Short Answer Question](/ap-world/frqs/saq)**

| Rubric row | Points | Earned, all | Student practice | Teacher-approved class sets | Responses |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| A: Identify or describe | 1 | 81% | 82% | 78% | 7,799 |
| B: Explain | 1 | 59% | 58% | 63% | 7,799 |
| C: Explain | 1 | 54% | 53% | 54% | 7,799 |

## Methodology

- 29,649 student practice answers from about 5,520 students: each student's first scored attempt at a practice question, scored by AI against that question type's AP rubric. These are AI estimates, not official AP scores.

- 38,827 class-set essays that about 1,282 teachers uploaded for grading and approved. These use the approved score, including any rubric point the teacher changed. Some sets were approved all at once rather than one essay at a time.

- Window: the 12 months before October 15, 2026. Practice answers run from January 27, 2026 and class-set essays from February 6, 2026, when Fiveable began keeping scores in this form, so the window covers all of them.

- Each figure is the points students earned on a rubric row divided by the points available on it, summed over responses. History DBQs and LEQs are split to single points so Sourcing and Complexity show separately; every other question type uses the rubric rows on its Fiveable practice page.

- Left out: 2,267 practice answers from staff, test, teacher or deleted accounts; 2,811 answers written inside a teacher's assignment; 2,646 near-blank responses under 100 characters; 278 incomplete scores; 22,455 class-set essays a teacher had not approved; and 11,358 responses from question types without fixed rubric rows (such as AP Statistics), scored on a different rubric layout, or from staff test sets.

- No figure is shown for any cell with fewer than 100 responses.

- Limits: Fiveable users choose to practice here, so they are not a random sample of AP students, and students may pick question types they find harder. AI scores can differ from an AP Reader's. Class-set essays come from teachers who use Fiveable, mostly in history, English and government.

- Only counts are published. No names, accounts, essays or individual scores leave our database.

## Cite this

Fiveable (2026). The AP® FRQ Rubric Points Students Miss Most. Data through October 15, 2026. https://fiveable.me/ap-frq-rubric-points-students-miss

Fiveable is not affiliated with College Board. AP® is a registered trademark of College Board.

## Explore

- [AP Classes](/ap-classes)
- [Practice Questions](/practice)
- [Pricing](/pricing)
- [FAQ](/faq)

## About This Document

Canonical Fiveable pages are available as Markdown at the same path plus `.md`.

- [llms.txt](https://fiveable.me/llms.txt): index of Fiveable's sections and URL patterns
- [llms-full.txt](https://fiveable.me/llms-full.txt): complete subject and unit listing
- [MCP server](https://fiveable.me/mcp): call Fiveable as tools instead of fetching pages (`https://fiveable.me/api/mcp`)
- [MCP server for AP teachers](https://fiveable.me/mcp/teachers): a teacher's classes, assignments and AP-rubric grading (`https://fiveable.me/api/mcp/teacher`)