--- title: What Is an AP Test Perfect Score? Do You Need One? · PrepScholar description: Confused about what an AP exam perfect score actually means? We explain what a perfect score is and how it's different from a 5. image: https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/perfect-966214_640.jpg --- **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** CALL NOW: [+1 (866) 811-5546](tel:18668115546) [![Start Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-171805697634.png)](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/web-interactives/public/v1/track/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKJluK2NyG3jpAJh%2F2lClc1fhnVHyMZoQonqRxtJngB8FMX6lc78F84JqOaVAL0d36TA5%2FYuH%2FLCJw8AG3ewREi%2F7a3XDouZgjxWfYCBUge6z76KnSykOxONl3avMK0gUjJGpJdyJE2BDTx8g3bsgHwMtx4Kr9Jfh6Jr7WA2XEIgtLw1OoVvAMo4Kw%3D&webInteractiveContentId=171805697634&portalId=360031) ## Choose Your Test SAT Prep ACT Prep [PrepScholar Advice Blog](https://blog.prepscholar.com/) ☰ - Search Blogs By Category - [SAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/sat) - [ACT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/act) - [College Admissions](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/college-admissions) - [AP and IB Exams](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/advanced-placement-ap) - [PSAT](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/psat-info-and-strategies) - [TOEFL](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/toefl) - [GPA and Coursework](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/coursework-gpa) # [What Is an AP Test Perfect Score? Do You Need One?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/ap-test-perfect-score) ![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/ellen.jpg) Posted by [Ellen McCammon](https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/ellen-mccammon) | Updated on February 11, 2025 [Advanced Placement (AP)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/topic/advanced-placement-ap)   ![perfect-966214_640-1.jpg](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/perfect-966214_640-1.jpg?width=352&height=352&name=perfect-966214_640-1.jpg "perfect-966214_640-1.jpg") If you read your local newspaper, you might have seen an article about someone from your area getting a perfect score on an AP exam. **But what is an AP test perfect score, and how is it different from a 5?** Keep reading to find out what an AP exam perfect score is, what it means, how many students get one, and if it's a goal you should be aiming for.   ![body-question-magnifying-glass-cc0](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/body-question-magnifying-glass-cc0.png?width=300&name=body-question-magnifying-glass-cc0.png)   ## What Is a Perfect AP Score and What Does It Signify? If you earn a perfect score on an AP exam, that means that **you received every point possible on the exam**. In other words, you answered every multiple-choice question correctly and scored the maximum amount of points on every free-response question. That's pretty impressive! How does this relate to [the score you get from 1-5](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-are-ap-exams-scored)? Well, if you get a perfect score, you'll definitely get a 5 on the exam. But your 5 won't be worth more than anyone else's 5. Additionally, you don't need to get anything close to a perfect score to get a 5 on the exam. Basically, **the fact that you got a perfect score doesn't really increase the value of your standard score on the 5-point scale**. In fact, your perfect score is not even reported on your score report—just the 5. When a student achieves a perfect score, the College Board usually informs the school directly in the fall. The school then informs the student. This often seems to lead to a level of minor local celebrity, with perfect scorers frequently being interviewed by local newspapers and having articles written about them on school websites. As mentioned above, **the perfect score doesn't appear on your AP score report, but it's certainly something worth reporting to colleges** if it does happen because it's so impressive and unusual.   ![odd-1037935_640-1.jpg](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/odd-1037935_640-1.jpg?width=444&name=odd-1037935_640-1.jpg "odd-1037935_640-1.jpg") *A perfect score would make you the slightly different yellow locker in this row of orange lockers.*   [![Looking for help studying for your AP exam? Our one-on-one online AP tutoring services can help you prepare for your AP exams. Get matched with a top tutor who got a high score on the exam you're studying for!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-151904284501.png)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLK4zngR3FRE7VAMd%2B0YWem6fFcmlHb83T7Xu%2BJXJRmTZUg4ABZLe92mVTnLJ4%2FO3N1QMdMsBZc7VuRfgGIuguN5teYPDSH5lLACjp24MDdeHBlKaRhNZlezA53BrY%2BEYvCLFbP1XoWKhfWEhPgUZJWWCczjYlElILDbIXmYeNy8GnxBLjl7sKRoRlg%3D&webInteractiveContentId=151904284501&portalId=360031)   ## How Many Students Get a Perfect Score on an AP Exam? Just how unusual is it to get a perfect score on an AP exam? It depends on the exam, but **no matter the test, it's a rare feat**. The College Board released a document of 2013 AP test perfect score stats, but it doesn't appear they've created a similar document for any years since. However, a series of tweets by the College Board's head of AP, [Trevor Packer](https://twitter.com/AP_Trevor), revealed all the info about **how many students got perfect scores in 2022**. (He hasn't provided data on perfect scores since then.) I've assembled the info into a chart that shows how many perfect scores there were by number and by percentage of test takers in 2022, as well as the [percentage of test takers who earned a 5 in each exam.](https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores/score-distributions)   ### 2022 Perfect AP Scores as Compared to 5s | **AP Exam** | **# Perfect Scores** | **# Test Takers** | **% Perfect Scores** | **% 5s** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Art History | 1 | 20,970 | 0.00476% | 14.1% | | Biology | 0 | 237,338 | – | 15.0% | | Calculus AB | 1 | 268,352 | 0.00037% | 20.4% | | Calculus BC | 0 | 120,238 | -- | 41.2% | | Chemistry | 0 | 124,780 | -- | 12.5% | | Chinese Language | 54 | 15,277 | 0.35347% | 49.3% | | Comparative Govt and Politics | 0 | 20,949 | -- | 15.9% | | Computer Science A | 282 | 77,753 | 0.36268% | 27.3% | | Comp Sci Principles | 136 | 134,651 | 0.10100% | 11.4% | | English Lang & Comp | 21 | 520,771 | 0.00403% | 10.4% | | English Literature | 3 | 339,401 | 0.00088% | 16.9% | | Environmental Science | 0 | 179,957 | -- | 8.9% | | European History | 0 | 80,152 | -- | 13.5% | | French Language | 0 | 19,554 | -- | 13.1% | | German Language | 1 | 4,450 | 0.02247% | 20.0% | | US Gov and Politics | 17 | 298,118 | 0.00570% | 12.0% | | Human Geography | 0 | 221,815 | -- | 14.9% | | Italian Language | 0 | 2,194 | -- | 22.6% | | Japanese Language | 3 | 2,765 | 0.10849% | 48.5% | | Latin | 2 | 4,832 | 0.04139% | 11.2% | | Macroeconomics | 36 | 134,413 | 0.02678% | 16.4% | | Microeconomics | 5 | 84,386 | 0.00592% | 17.7% | | Music Theory | 0 | 15,594 | -- | 18.7% | | Physics 1: Algebra | 1 | 144,526 | 0.00069% | 7.9% | | Physics 2: Algebra | 1 | 17,842 | 0.00560% | 16.3% | | Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 0 | 19,978 | -- | 31.5% | | Physics C: Mechanics | 0 | 46,301 | -- | 26.4% | | Psychology | 2 | 292,501 | 0.00068% | 17.0% | | AP Research | 306 | 26,947 | 1.13556% | 12.6% | | AP Seminar | 33 | 56,766 | 0.05813% | 11.6% | | Spanish Language | 51 | 155,931 | 0.03270% | 23.6% | | Spanish Literature | 0 | 23,009 | -- | 8.1% | | Statistics | 5 | 216,968 | 0.00230% | 14.8% | | Studio Art 2-D Design | 198 | 37,045 | 0.53448% | 10.8% | | Studio Art 3-D Design | 42 | 5,377 | 0.78110% | 6.4% | | Studio Art Drawing | 342 | 19,210 | 1.78032% | 14.6% | | United States History | 8 | 456,520 | 0.00175% | 10.8% | | World History | 1 | 314,716 | 0.00031% | 13.2% |   As you can see, while at least 5% of test takers scored a 5 on each AP exam, the perfect scores are teeny, teeny, *teeny* percentages. The only exams with a percentage of perfect scorers higher than 1% were AP Research and Studio Art Drawing. **Studio Art Drawing had the highest percentage of perfect scorers,** with about 1.78% receiving a perfect score. And nearly all other AP exams had a much smaller percentage of perfect scorers than that. In sum, **perfect scores on AP exams are a super-rare occurrence**.   ![emerald-1137411_640.jpg](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/emerald-1137411_640.jpg?width=351&name=emerald-1137411_640.jpg "emerald-1137411_640.jpg") *Super-rare like emerald jewels.*   ## Is Getting a Perfect AP Score a Realistic Goal? Given how few students get them, **it's not a very attainable or realistic goal to actively try for a perfect score on an AP exam**, even on a test for which perfect scores are marginally more common. Even if you have total mastery of a subject, just one tiny mistake on test day will prevent you from getting a perfect score. Additionally, **you will never know how close you were if you don't get a perfect score—raw point totals aren't reported to students**. You could get 179/180 points and never know anything except that you got a 5. That makes a perfect score a frustrating goal in addition to a difficult one! The marginal benefit is also not that high—a small level of brief local celebrity and an impressive factoid for your college applications. If you really want to stand out to colleges, [**there are better ways to develop your application**](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-into-harvard-and-the-ivy-league-by-a-harvard-alum) that are more within your control and for which your work will pay off more directly. In terms of test scores, **it makes much more sense to work on getting top marks on your standardized college entrance exams like the SAT or ACT**. Any solid preparation work you put in there will pay off in your reported scores, unlike on an AP exam, for which you'll either get a perfect score or never find out your raw score. The truth is, based on local news profiles, **most AP test perfect scorers are surprised to have gotten a perfect score and weren't specifically aiming for one**. So while it's not impossible to get a perfect score on an AP exam, particularly in a subject you are very gifted in, **it's not really worth your time to specifically aim for a perfect score**. Just aim for a 5, do your best, and it could happen—but don't stress about it.   ![balance-865825_640.jpg](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/balance-865825_640.jpg?width=424&height=265&name=balance-865825_640.jpg "balance-865825_640.jpg") *Reach for the stars! And by stars, I mean a 5.*   ## Key Takeaways: What Is a Perfect AP Score? While it won't give you any more college credit or show up on your score report, a perfect score on an AP exam—that's full credit for all exam portions—is an impressive accomplishment. **Only a very small number of students get perfect scores each year.** However, I don't recommend making a perfect score your goal, simply because the benefits as opposed to getting a 5 are only marginal. Ultimately, **you'd be much better served working for perfect marks on the SAT or ACT.**   ## What's Next? **Studying for your AP exams?** Learn [when you need to start preparing for your AP tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/when-should-you-start-studying-for-your-ap-exams) to get that coveted 5. Looking to get a top SAT or ACT score? Check out our famous guides on [how to get a perfect SAT score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-sat-score-by-a-2400-sat-scorer) and [how to get a perfect ACT score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-act-score-by-a-36-full-scorer), written by our resident full scorer. Wondering [what the revised SAT format means for you](https://blog.prepscholar.com/new-sat-format-2016)? Or maybe you are taking the ACT and are looking for [all our ACT study guide resources](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-prep-practice-tests-study-guides-and-critical-info). **Whatever the case, we've got you covered!**   [![Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?   We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download them for free now:](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/360031/interactive-151856191907.png)](https://blog.prepscholar.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLLExoRfai4XHQaQbXhAAPZo3v6P9q37WHBLTE%2BTtJqSkIVGcy39OHuW9fnfz2acblrero3pm5QzmEIkHO9mng1J8bqiXU%2FGO%2FlXufu8Dvx8X7sy4Jq4TULD6BIBxJ3a6z6UtVJ9inPAsU%2FewdVgcsSeTCC2BNf1DuUlyoTuMEMxRRnU3ALexQAXAsdw%2FdKOr0DSpA%3D%3D&webInteractiveContentId=151856191907&portalId=360031)   ### Trending Now [How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-into-harvard-and-the-ivy-league-by-a-harvard-alum) [How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-4-0-gpa-and-get-better-grades-by-a-harvard-alum) [How to Write an Amazing College Essay](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-write-a-college-essay) [Should You Take the SAT or ACT?](https://quiz.prepscholar.com/sat-vs-act) [What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-do-colleges-look-for) [ACT vs. SAT: 10 Key Differences](https://blog.prepscholar.com/act-vs-sat) [Calculate Your College Chances](https://mycollegechances.prepscholar.com/) Get Your Free **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com/)** eBook [5 Tips to Raise Your SAT Score 160+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/sat-5-tips-ebook/) [5 Tips to Raise Your ACT Score 4+ Points](https://www.prepscholar.com/rp/act-5-tips-ebook/) ### SAT Prep [Find Your Target SAT Score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-sat-score-a-bad-sat-score-an-excellent-sat-score) [Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-sat-practice-tests-free-links) ### **[How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-sat-score-by-a-2400-sat-scorer)** [Score 800 on SAT Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-math-by-a-perfect-scorer) [Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-800-on-sat-reading-and-writing) [Raise Your SAT Score by 160+ Points GUARANTEED. Start Your 5-Day Risk-Free Trial](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat-test-prep/?utm_source=databasepage&utm_medium=sidebar&utm_campaign=sat_guarantee) ### ACT Prep [Find Your Target ACT Score](https://blog.prepscholar.com/what-is-a-good-act-score-a-bad-act-score-an-excellent-act-score) [Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests](https://blog.prepscholar.com/complete-official-act-practice-tests-free-links) ### **[How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-a-perfect-act-score-by-a-36-full-scorer)** [Get a 36 on ACT English](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-english-9-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer) [Get a 36 on ACT Math](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-math-8-strategies-by-a-perfect-scorer) [Get a 36 on ACT Reading](https://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-get-36-on-act-reading-11-strategies-from-a-perfect-scorer) Stay Informed Get the latest articles and test prep tips! - [![Follow us on Facebook (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/facebook_logo.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) - [![Follow us on X (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/twitterx-50.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) - [![Follow us on Instagram (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/instagram-sidebar.webp)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) Get Exclusive Tips for College Admissions Sign up to receive free guidance on everything from acing the SAT to writing a standout college admissions essay. × ## Thanks for Subscribing! ![Check icon](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/file-2386656898.png/subscribe_check.png.png?width=175&name=subscribe_check.png) To receive immediate updates on all our helpful guides and strategies, **follow us** on social media: [![Facebook](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/26de6c2beb2b71ee5b8d660200359259.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) [![X](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/f233666501ea25d3fcf3c390d2f08c7b.png)](https://x.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) [![LinkedIn](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/linkedin.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/prepscholar/) [![Instagram](https://blogprepschola.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/download-1.png)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) **Have friends who also need help with test prep?** Share this article! [![Share on email](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/email-color.png?width=24&name=email-color.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fap-test-perfect-score%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fap-test-perfect-score%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) [![Share on facebook](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fap-test-perfect-score%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on twitter](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/x-twitter-color.png?width=24&name=x-twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fap-test-perfect-score%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fap-test-perfect-score%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on linkedin](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/360031/hubfs/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.prepscholar.com%2Fap-test-perfect-score%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) About the Author ![author image](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/ellen.jpg) Ellen McCammon Ellen received a BA from Harvard in Folklore and Mythology and a Masters of Public Health at Columbia University. She has extensive education mentorship experience and is deeply committed to helping students succeed in all areas of life. ## Ask a Question Below Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply! **[![PrepScholar](https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-White.png)](https://www.prepscholar.com)** - [WHO WE ARE](https://www.prepscholar.com/who-we-are/) - [SUCCESS STORIES](https://www.prepscholar.com/case-studies/) - [ADVICE BLOG](https://blog.prepscholar.com/) - [FOR SCHOOLS](https://www.prepscholar.com/for-schools/) - [SAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/sat-test-prep/) - [ACT](https://www.prepscholar.com/act-test-prep/) - [PSAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/psat-test-prep/) - [AP](https://www.prepscholar.com/ap-tutoring/) - [GRE](https://www.prepscholar.com/gre-test-prep/) - [GMAT](https://www.prepscholar.com/gmat-test-prep/) - [TOEFL](https://www.prepscholar.com/toefl-test-prep/) - [ADMISSIONS](https://www.prepscholar.com/college-admissions-consulting/) - [TERMS OF SERVICE](https://www.prepscholar.com/terms-of-service/) - [PRIVACY POLICY](https://www.prepscholar.com/privacy-policy/) - [![follow us on X (icon)](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/twitter-64.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/follow?region=follow_link&screen_name=PrepScholar&tw_p=followbutton) - [![Follow us on Facebook (icon)](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/facebook-64.png)](https://www.facebook.com/prepscholar) - [![follow us on Instagram (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/instagram-64.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/prepscholar/) - [![follow us on TikTok (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/tiktok-50.svg)](https://www.tiktok.com/@prepscholarofficial) - [![Follow us on LinkedIn (icon)](https://360031.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/360031/linkedin50.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/prepscholar/) © PrepScholar 2013-2025. All rights reserved SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this web site. ACT® is a registered trademark belonging to ACT Education Corporation ("ACT"). ACT is not involved with or affiliated with PrepScholar Inc., nor does ACT endorse or sponsor any of the products or services offered by PrepScholar Inc. GRE® and TOEFL® are registered trademarks of the ETS®. The ETS® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this web site. GMAT® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admissions Council®. The Graduate Management Admissions Council® does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with, the owner or any content of this website. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Ellen McCammon", "url" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/author/ellen-mccammon" }, "dateModified" : "2025-02-11T23:40:33+00:00", "datePublished" : "2022-11-13T20:00:00+00:00", "description" : "Confused about what an AP exam perfect score actually means? We explain what a perfect score is and how it's different from a 5.", "headline" : "What Is an AP Test Perfect Score? Do You Need One?", "image" : "http://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/360031/perfect-966214_640.jpg", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.prepscholar.com/ap-test-perfect-score", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://www.prepscholar.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/PrepScholar-Logo-Colored.png" }, "name" : "PrepScholar" } } ```