College Board · Credit · 1-5 Scale

AP Score Calculator

Find out what your AP exam score means, which colleges award credit for it, and its equivalent college course grade.

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AP Score Calculator

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Select AP Score (1–5)

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5 Excellent

AP Score Meanings

Score	Designation	College Credit	Equivalent GPA
5	Extremely Well Qualified	Most colleges: Yes	~4.0 (A)
4	Well Qualified	Many colleges: Yes	~3.0–3.7 (B to A−)
3	Qualified	Some colleges: Yes	~2.0–2.7 (C to B−)
2	Possibly Qualified	Rarely	~1.0 (D)
1	No Recommendation	No	~0.0 (F)

Does My AP Score Get College Credit?

Whether you receive college credit depends on the specific college and course. Most universities accept scores of 3, 4, or 5, though selective schools may only grant credit for 4s and 5s. Always check the AP credit policy of the college you're attending or applying to.

A score of 5 qualifies you for credit at nearly all US colleges. A 3 is accepted by many public universities and liberal arts colleges but may be declined by more selective institutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good AP score?

A 3 is the minimum qualifying score for most colleges. A 4 or 5 is excellent and earns credit at the vast majority of universities.

How many AP classes should I take?

Selective colleges typically look for 5–8 AP courses. What matters more is your performance (scores of 4–5) than the raw number of exams.

How does an AP exam affect my GPA?

AP exams don't directly change your GPA — but taking AP classes can boost your weighted high school GPA (AP courses add +1.0 to grade points in most systems).

Can I retake an AP exam?

Yes — AP exams are offered once per year in May. You can retake any exam the following year; colleges typically see your highest score.

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