AP Test Scores Surge, Raising Concerns Over Standards

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Advanced Placement test scores have increased sharply from 2021 to 2025, with a 61% rise in top scores across major subjects like English Literature and US History. This surge contrasts with declining national proficiency rates, raising concerns among educators about whether AP exams still accurately reflect college readiness.

Advanced Placement (AP) test scores have risen significantly in recent years, raising questions about the rigor and standards of these widely recognized college credit exams. Data from the College Board show that between 2021 and 2025, the proportion of students earning the highest score—a 5—on nine major AP subjects increased by an average of 61%. Similarly, the percentage of students scoring at least a 4, which is often required for college credit, rose by 63% during the same period.

One of the most notable increases occurred in the AP English Literature and Composition exam, where the share of students receiving a top score jumped from 17% in 2021 to more than 43% in 2025. Other subjects, including US Government and Politics and US History, saw comparable gains. For instance, the number of students earning 4s and 5s in US Government and Politics surged from 23.6% in 2021 to 48.5% in 2025. US History scores followed a similar pattern, with top marks increasing from 26% to 50.4%.

These marked improvements in AP exam results contrast sharply with broader trends in national educational assessments. The 2025 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) revealed record-low proficiency levels among 12th-graders nationwide, with just 35% demonstrating proficiency in reading and only 22% meeting basic math standards. This disparity has fueled debate among educators and policymakers regarding whether AP tests continue to serve as reliable measures of college readiness.

Some experts have voiced concerns that the rapid rise in AP scores may reflect a lowering of standards rather than genuine improvement in student achievement. Daniel Buck, a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, cited the incongruity between declining national test scores and the sudden surge in AP results as “implausible,” suggesting that the AP exams might not be adequately preparing students for the demands of higher education.

College professors have also raised alarms about incoming college students’ preparedness, noting that some lack fundamental skills in writing and mathematics despite earning high AP scores. This has sparked a broader conversation about the validity of AP courses and the extent to which they reflect meaningful academic advancement.

The College Board, which administers the AP program, has denied allegations of grade inflation or lowering of test standards. It maintains that the tests remain a rigorous measure of student knowledge and continue to uphold high expectations consistent with college-level coursework.

As the debate continues, educators and institutions are grappling with how best to assess and ensure college readiness while addressing the contradictory signals presented by rising AP scores and stagnating national proficiency rates.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.