How to Find and Use AP Score Calculators (2024)

How to Find and Use AP Score Calculators (1)

What is the best way to use AP score calculators? In this post we will discuss how to get the most out of them—and when you shouldn't use them at all.

How to Find and Use AP Score Calculators (2)

Where Do I Get an AP Score Calculator?

Before we talk about the best ways to use score calculators, you need to learn where to find one for your particular AP class!

Each AP test uses a different scoring system. There are no "official" AP score calculators released by College Board, so teachers and test prep companies have to make their own.

To get an AP score calculator, first talk to your teacher—AP teachers often have a formula they use for grading practice tests.

If your teacher doesn't have one or you're self-studying, get a prep book for your AP class. Prep books written for individual tests will always have a score calculator.

Finally, look online—many websites have approximate score calculators you can use for each AP class.

A word of caution: all score calculators are approximations since the scaling of an AP test changes year to year to keep the difficulty level the same. For example, 100 points could be enough for a 5 one year, but in the next year it would only get a 4. We'll talk about how to compensate for that below.

Our Calculator Example: AP English Language and Composition

Throughout this post we'll be using AP English Language and Composition as an example as we talk about score calculators. It's the most popular AP test currently. Over 500,000 students took it in 2014!

There are 55 possible multiple choice points (1 point per question) worth 45% of your score, and 3 essays (worth 9 points each) for 27 possible points worth 55% of your score.

This is the calculator we are using:

(Multiple Choice Score x 1.23) + (Essays x 3.05) = Total Score

That total score is translated to the final composite AP score of 1-5 like so:

  • 5: 104-150
  • 4: 92-103
  • 3: 76-91
  • 2: 50-75
  • 1: 0-49

It seems a bit complicated, but once you get used to the formula it's easy to use, and it can help you design a target score for the AP test. Using this calculator, we'll now explore the do's and don'ts of using AP score calculators.

How to Find and Use AP Score Calculators (3)

Do's Of Using Score Calculators

Grade Your Practice Exams With Them

We highly recommend taking the extra step of grading any practice AP tests you take. Getting a predicted 1-5 AP score is a great way to get a snapshot of how you're shaping up to do on the test. So instead of just getting a free response and multiple choice raw score, you can put those scores in context and get an idea of how much they need to improve before exam day.

To use AP English as an example, if you took a practice exam and got a 30/55 on multiple choice and 12/27 on the essays, you might be discouraged.

But using the calculator, you find you get a final score of 73—which is just a few points away from passing! Which isn't so shabby for a practice test. So instead of feeling disappointed, you can figure out exactly how much you need to improve to pass your next practice test.

You can also get a sense of how much score improvements will help you. To use our example, you might realize "If I go from a 4 to a 6 on all my essays, I could not only pass, but get a 4 overall!" (If you got 30/55 on multiple choice and 18/27 on the essays, you would get a total score of 92, which would just barely get you a 4.)

This helps you create manageable improvement goals. Remember, you don't need to get every single point on an AP test to get a 5. And you certainly don't need every single point to pass.

Come Up With a Detailed Target Score

How to Find and Use AP Score Calculators (4)

AP score calculators allow you to understand both the multiple choice and free response scores you need for certain final AP scores. This can help you decide where to focus your studying efforts. You might go for all-around improvement, or you could target your studying on just the free response or multiple choice.

On AP English Language, if you're going for a 5, you could go for near-perfect essays and have more wiggle room on multiple choice, or go for nearly-perfect multile choice and aim for middle-of-the-road essays.

For example, if you get 8s on all your essays and 35/55 on multiple choice, you would get a 115 total score, which is pretty comfortably a 5. On the flipside, if you got 6s on your essays and 50/55 on multiple choice, you would also get a 115 total score.

This allows you to play to your strengths on the AP exam -- and not overwhelm yourself trying to be perfect at everything. If you're a strong writer, you could aim for 8s on your essays and not worry about making your multiple choice score perfect. Or if you're great at taking multiple choice tests, you could aim for a 50 on multiple choice and try and make your essays decent. In short, you don't have to burn yourself out if you use a score calculator to set target scores for each section.

Go For Consistency

Don't take one practice exam, calculate a 5 using the score calculator, and stop studying. Use the score calculator every time you practice, and make an effort to take at least two or three full-length practice exams before the real thing.

Also try your hardest on practice free response questions and multiple choice sections your teacher may assign in class.

Why? Especially when it comes to essays, you could be in trouble if you're hit with an essay that you're not well-equipped to answer. If you stop studying after you get a 5 on one practice test, you won't be prepared for whatever the AP test throws at you. Only by practicing consistently can you be adequately prepared or whatever questions appear on the AP test.

By practicing a lot, you make sure that 5 is all-but-guaranteed, not just a fluke. In short, practice makes perfect—or at least it makes 5s!

Don'ts of Using AP Score Calculators

Don't Use Them Too Early in the Year

How to Find and Use AP Score Calculators (6)

Don't worry about practicing for AP exams in the fall!

There is no point in taking and grading a practice AP exam early in the year. That would be like taking a final exam for a class before winter break! You still have a lot to learn, so taking an exam early on would just stress you out. The score calculators are best used to inform you how you're shaping up to do on the exam, so using them too early will demoralize you.

You shouldn't expect yourself to be able to tackle the AP exam before the first semester is over! Especially on the hardest exams. Wait until the first semester is over before taking practice exams and grading them.

Don't Panic If You Don't Get the Scores You Want in Practice

Even though it can be frustrating to get a 1 or 2 on a practice exam, don't despair. Remember that you're practicing to find your weak points and improve them. Getting a low score in practice can be good because it shows you mistakes you are apt to make so you can learn from them.

Think of it this way: any mistake you make while practicing is one you won't make on the real thing as long as you study.

Even if you get a 1 or a 2 on a practice exam, that doesn't mean you're doomed to fail on the real thing. The key is to analyze your mistakes so you can learn from them and improve for the real AP exam.

Don't Assume AP Score Calculators are 100% Accurate

Simply put, they're not! As we discussed above, they can only approximate your real score.

Since AP tests are equated each year so scores are consistent, a raw score that's good enough for a 5 on one exam could only be good enough for a 4 on another.

This means when setting target scores, be generous. For example, if you're going for a 5, don't just practice for the lowest possible raw score that could work according to your calculator—aim for many points above that!

For AP English, we would set the 5 threshold 10 points higher, 114. We would set the passing threshold (a score of 3) at 86 instead of 76. By doing this, we leave wiggle room for year-to-year test scaling differences and unexpected mistakes you might make on the exam.

Bottom Line

AP Calculators are an excellent tool to help you get the most out of your AP exam practice and set smart target scores. Just beware of using them too early, and don't let them make you complacent!

What's Next?

Learn more about AP: how long exams are, how they're scored, and how many AP classes you should take.

Also studying for the ACT/SAT? Get the latest tips from our expert writers on each section: SAT Math, Reading, and Writing, or ACT English, Math, Reading, and Science.

Did you already take the ACT/SAT? Find out if you should retake the exam.

How to Find and Use AP Score Calculators (2024)

FAQs

How to Find and Use AP Score Calculators? ›

To get an AP score calculator, first talk to your teacher—AP teachers often have a formula they use for grading practice tests. If your teacher doesn't have one or you're self-studying, get a prep book for your AP class. Prep books written for individual tests will always have a score calculator.

How can I calculate my AP score? ›

How To Count APS Score?
  1. Step 1: Collect the final grades for all the subjects you completed in your matric year.
  2. Step 2: Use the APS scale to turn each grade into points. ...
  3. Step 3: Add the points from all your subjects to get your total APS score.
  4. Example Calculations:
  5. English: 6 (80-89%) = 6 points.
Jul 30, 2024

How to do AP on a calculator? ›

When you turn your calculator upside down in hexadecimal mode, you can turn b into q and d into p. Along with q and p, you can make the letters O, D, I, Z, E, h, A, S, g/q, L, B, and G from numbers. The possibilities are endless! You can also use the number 2 instead of the word "to" or "too."

How do I find my exact AP score? ›

Score reports are usually available on myap.collegeboard.org by July. If you provided an accurate email address on the AP exam answer sheet, you will receive a notification when your scores are available to check, print and download.

What percentage is a 5 on AP Calc AB? ›

Like many other students, you might be curious to see how well you scored on the overall spectrum. In the 2023 AP Calculus AB score distributions, you'll find that 22.39% of students scored a 5. Additionally, 16.18% of students scored a 4, and 19.4% of students scored a 3.

Is a 70% a 5 on the AP exam? ›

Usually, a 70 to 75 percent out of 100 translates to a 5. However, there are some exams that are exceptions to this rule of thumb.

Is a 3 on AP exam 50%? ›

As a general guide, though, you can consider roughly more than 70% correct as being in the 5 range, 50-69% for a score of 4, 40-49% for a score of 3, 30-39% for a 2, and below 30% would likely be a 1. Again, these ranges are approximations and can vary by subject and by year.

How do you find the p score on a calculator? ›

You can get a p-value by doing an inference test, which can be done by pressing the stat key followed by two clicks to the right. There will be a list of tests, and by putting in your numbers, the calculator will give you a p-value.

What calculator is best for AP Calc? ›

For the AP Calc BC exam, students commonly use either a Texas Instruments calculator (typically the TI-84 Plus or TI-84 Plus CE) or the Casio fx-9750GII. Each of these options has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, so ultimately it will come down to personal preference and budget.

How AP scores are calculated? ›

Your total score is calculated from your section scores.

For most AP Exams, your score is a weighted combination of your scores on the 2 sections, multiple-choice and free-response. Some AP courses have assessments that include other scored components.

How accurate are AP score calculators? ›

Don't Assume AP Score Calculators are 100% Accurate

Simply put, they're not! As we discussed above, they can only approximate your real score. Since AP tests are equated each year so scores are consistent, a raw score that's good enough for a 5 on one exam could only be good enough for a 4 on another.

How do I find my AP grade? ›

You will receive an email notification from College Board when scores are available. To access your scores, you will need your AP® ID Number, which you can retrieve by logging into your MyAP account at http://myap.collegeboard.org and navigating to 'My AP® Profile'.

What is the hardest AP exam? ›

Physics 1

Is a 4 on AP Calc good? ›

According to the College Board, a 3 is 'qualified,' a 4 is 'well qualified,' and a 5 is 'extremely well qualified. ' Depending on the school you plan to attend, college credits may be offered for scores within the 3-5 range.

Is a 5 a 100 on an AP exam? ›

For example, a 5 could be any composite score between 110 and 150 on one exam. Since scaling varies year to year, there are no exact cutoff numbers for scores for AP tests, and the College Board does not release detailed scoring data.

How do you calculate an APS score? ›

How to Calculate Your APS Score?
  1. Identify Your Subjects and Grades: First, list all the subjects you took and the grades you received for each. ...
  2. Convert Grades to Points: Use the point values for each grade to convert your subject grades into points. ...
  3. Calculate Total Points: Add up the points from all your subjects.
Jul 29, 2024

How are AP marks calculated? ›

After the AP Exams are administered, schools return all paper AP Exam materials to the AP Program. Then, for most AP courses: The multiple-choice section is scored by computer. Each answer sheet is scanned and the total number of correct responses equals the multiple-choice score.

What is 60% on AP test? ›

Yes, a 60 is considered a passing grade in AP classes. In AP, the average passing rate is 60-70%.

What score is a 50 on an AP exam? ›

Step 3: Estimate your Final AP Scaled Score by Using the Chart Given Below:
Composite ScoreScaled Score
50-752
76-913
92-1034
104-1505
1 more row
Apr 12, 2023

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