AP Scoring & Grading Guides
BlogCross-exam research built on the same data that powers our calculators — how the AP curve differs by subject, what the score distributions actually show, and which exams are hardest to pass. Every guide links straight to the matching calculator so you can run your own numbers.
The Easiest and Hardest AP Exams, Ranked Two Different Ways
The 21 AP exams we cover, ranked by how forgiving the curve is and by how many students pass — plus an honest look at why those two rankings disagree.
AP Score Distributions: What Percentage Gets Each Score
The official AP score distributions for all 40 exams, sorted by the percentage earning a 5, with pass rates and the caveats that make them readable.
AP Score Curves Compared: How Many Points You Need for a 5 on Every Exam
A side-by-side look at the estimated composite cutoffs on 21 AP exams, from Calculus BC at 57% for a 5 to Computer Science Principles at 83%.
Run the numbers