Qualifying for an AP Scholar Award
AP Scholar Awards
Every fall, the AP Program recognizes high school students who have demonstrated outstanding college-level achievement through their performance on multiple AP Exams.
AP Scholar Awards come in different levels and types. See the criteria here:
| Award | Criteria |
|---|---|
| AP Scholar | Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams. |
| AP Scholar with Honor | Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. |
| AP Scholar with Distinction | Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams. |
| AP International Diploma (APID) | Visit APID to see the criteria for this award. |
Qualification Details
- There are two steps to determining award winners:
- The student’s average AP Exam score is calculated based on all exams taken this year and in previous years.
- The student’s AP Exam scores are checked to see which ones count toward the various AP Scholar Awards.
- A student must meet all criteria to be eligible. For example, a student who has a 3.25 AP Exam score average but only received a 3 or higher on 3 exams will not receive the AP Scholar with Honor Award because the minimum requirement is a score of 3 or higher on 4 or more exams.
- Exams taken multiple times count only once; the highest score will be used for the award calculation.
- The AP Calculus AB subscore for the AP Calculus BC Exam and the aural subscore and nonaural subscore for the AP Music Theory Exam are not used in the AP Scholar Award calculations.
- The AP Scholar Awards are academic distinctions that students may cite among their credentials on applications, résumés, and so on. Students do not receive any monetary award from the College Board.
Key Dates
FAQ
When do I find out if I won an AP award?
If you’ve earned an AP Scholar award, AP Capstone award, or AP with WE Service Recognition this year, they will be listed on your score report starting in July. You will receive award notifications by email.
How can I let colleges know that I won an AP award?
Send colleges your official AP score report. Awards are listed on any AP score report that is sent to colleges after the award has been granted.
How can I get a copy of my AP award certificate?
You can view and print your certificate online: Sign in to the AP score reporting system.
What if I earned an AP State Scholar Award or other discontinued award in 2020 or earlier?
If you previously earned an award that is no longer offered, it will still appear on your official AP score report and will be listed on any score report that you send to colleges.
What were the criteria for the awards that AP no longer offers?
|
State AP Scholar |
Granted to the one male and one female student in each U.S. state and the District of Columbia with scores of 3 or higher on the greatest number of AP Exams, and then the highest average score (at least 3.5) on all AP Exams taken. |
|---|---|
|
DoDEA AP Scholar |
Granted to the one male and one female student attending Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools with the highest average score on the greatest number of AP Exams. The minimum requirement is a score of 3 or higher on three exams. |
|
International AP Scholar |
Granted to the one male and one female student attending a school outside the United States and Canada that is not a DoDEA school with the highest average score on the greatest number of AP Exams. The minimum requirement is a score of 3 or higher on three exams. |
|
National AP Scholar |
Granted to students in the United States who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams. |
|
National AP Scholar (Canada) |
Granted to students in Canada who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on five or more of these exams. |
|
National AP Scholar (Bermuda) |
Granted to students in Bermuda who receive an average score of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 4 or higher on five or more of these exams. |
When will an award be added to my score report if I am waiting for a score to be released in order to qualify for an award?
Some scores take longer to process due to later testing or other circumstances. If a score is not yet available when scores are released, you will be notified when it becomes available and is added to your score report. Any awards you qualify for based on the new score will be added to your score report at the same time, and you will also be notified.