--- title: "All About AP Exams | AP Info Review" description: "Review AP Info All About AP Exams with study guides for the AP exam." canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-info/ap-exam-info" type: "unit" subject: "AP Info" unit: "All About AP Exams" --- # All About AP Exams | AP Info Review ## Overview AP exams are standardized tests that assess high school students' mastery of college-level material in various subjects. These exams, administered by the College Board, cover a wide range of topics and typically consist of multiple-choice and free-response questions. Taking AP exams offers numerous benefits, including the potential to earn college credit, skip introductory courses, and strengthen college applications. These exams also help students develop critical thinking and time management skills, preparing them for the rigors of college-level work. ## Study Guides - [Which AP Classes Should I Take?](/ap-info/ap-exam-info/ap-classes-when-to-take/study-guide/M20JjuYzUh5r2iqu) - [How Long is Each AP Exam?](/ap-info/ap-exam-info/duration-ap-exam/study-guide/HKurZivNLCjDErJ8) - [AP Exam Schedule 2024](/ap-info/ap-exam-info/2024-ap-exam-schedule/study-guide/wZbQM61dhKTtGnA6) - [All AP Classes](/ap-info/ap-exam-info/all-ap-classes-units/study-guide/9vru5xtPk7JyYgUA) - [Hardest and Easiest AP Classes](/ap-info/ap-exam-info/hardest-easiest-ap-classes/study-guide/cEErtB4gT1Ng8x2u) - [AP Exam Score Distribution](/ap-info/ap-exam-info/2023-ap-score-distribution-breakdown/study-guide/KZQERcyTstLqmqZ2) - [How to Send AP Scores to Colleges & Universities](/ap-info/ap-exam-info/sending-ap-scores/study-guide/KG7EO9BMisWAHKfw) - [AP Credit and Placement Policies for Colleges and Universities](/ap-info/ap-exam-info/ap-credit-placement-policies-colleges/study-guide/Myqu6X66uqM34hN9) ## More Ways To Review - [Topic study guides](/ap-info/ap-exam-info#topics) ## FAQs ### What are AP exams and how are they scored? AP exams are standardized college-level tests administered by the College Board each May. Scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. Multiple-choice sections are scored by computer, and free-response sections are graded by trained educators. Many colleges grant credit or advanced placement for scores of 3 or higher. ### How long are AP exams? Most AP exams run between 2 and 3 hours, but length varies by subject. Some exams are shorter, and some AP courses include portfolios or performance tasks instead of a traditional timed exam. AP Computer Science Principles, for example, combines a 2-hour end-of-course exam with a through-course performance task. Check the specific exam page for exact timing. ### How many AP classes should I take? There is no single right number. The best approach is to take AP classes when you have genuine interest, room in your schedule, and capacity for the workload. Self-awareness matters more than stacking courses. Taking fewer APs and doing well in them is more valuable than overloading and burning out. ### Can AP exam scores earn college credit? Yes. Most colleges and universities in the United States grant credit, advanced placement, or both for qualifying AP scores. Policies vary by school, but a score of 3 or higher is the most common threshold. Earning credit can reduce the number of courses needed in college, saving both time and money. ### What AP exams are available? The College Board currently offers 40 AP courses and exams across subjects including math, science, history, English, world languages, and the arts. Options range from AP Calculus and AP Biology to AP Art History and AP Chinese Language. Each exam is designed to reflect introductory college-level coursework in that subject. ### When are AP exam scores released? AP exam scores are typically released online in July, a few months after the May exam administration. Scores are accessible through a College Board account. From there, scores can be sent directly to colleges and universities for credit and placement consideration. ## Structured Data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","inLanguage":"en","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-info/ap-exam-info#what-are-ap-exams-and-how-are-they-scored","name":"What are AP exams and how are they scored?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"AP exams are standardized college-level tests administered by the College Board each May. Scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. Multiple-choice sections are scored by computer, and free-response sections are graded by trained educators. Many colleges grant credit or advanced placement for scores of 3 or higher."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-info/ap-exam-info#how-long-are-ap-exams","name":"How long are AP exams?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Most AP exams run between 2 and 3 hours, but length varies by subject. Some exams are shorter, and some AP courses include portfolios or performance tasks instead of a traditional timed exam. AP Computer Science Principles, for example, combines a 2-hour end-of-course exam with a through-course performance task. Check the specific exam page for exact timing."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-info/ap-exam-info#how-many-ap-classes-should-i-take","name":"How many AP classes should I take?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"There is no single right number. The best approach is to take AP classes when you have genuine interest, room in your schedule, and capacity for the workload. Self-awareness matters more than stacking courses. Taking fewer APs and doing well in them is more valuable than overloading and burning out."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-info/ap-exam-info#can-ap-exam-scores-earn-college-credit","name":"Can AP exam scores earn college credit?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. Most colleges and universities in the United States grant credit, advanced placement, or both for qualifying AP scores. Policies vary by school, but a score of 3 or higher is the most common threshold. Earning credit can reduce the number of courses needed in college, saving both time and money."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-info/ap-exam-info#what-ap-exams-are-available","name":"What AP exams are available?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The College Board currently offers 40 AP courses and exams across subjects including math, science, history, English, world languages, and the arts. Options range from AP Calculus and AP Biology to AP Art History and AP Chinese Language. Each exam is designed to reflect introductory college-level coursework in that subject."}},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://fiveable.me/ap-info/ap-exam-info#when-are-ap-exam-scores-released","name":"When are AP exam scores released?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"AP exam scores are typically released online in July, a few months after the May exam administration. Scores are accessible through a College Board account. From there, scores can be sent directly to colleges and universities for credit and placement consideration."}}]} ```