Qualifying for an AP Scholar Award – AP Students (2024)

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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:

AwardCriteria
AP ScholarGranted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.
AP Scholar with HonorGranted 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 DistinctionGranted 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:
    1. The student’s average AP Exam score is calculated based on all exams taken this year and in previous years.
    2. 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

LATE SUMMER/EARLY FALL

Recipients of AP Awards and Recognitions Are Notified

Recipients of AP Scholar Awards, the AP International Diploma, AP Capstone awards, and the AP with WE Service Recognition are notified via email.

Learn More About AP Awards

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 thenthe 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.

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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 circ*mstances. 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.

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Related Topics

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Qualifying for an AP Scholar Award – AP Students (2024)

FAQs

Qualifying for an AP Scholar Award – AP Students? ›

To earn the AP Scholar with Honor Award, students must score an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of three or higher on four or more of these exams. By completing three or more AP Exams with grades of three or higher, students qualify for the AP Scholar Award.

What are the requirements for AP Scholar Award? ›

To earn the AP Scholar with Honor Award, students must score an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of three or higher on four or more of these exams. By completing three or more AP Exams with grades of three or higher, students qualify for the AP Scholar Award.

What percent of students earn AP Scholar Award? ›

The percent of students who receive an AP Scholar Award varies year to year, but it's typically around 10%. The College Board only hands out a small percentage of the AP Scholar Awards each year. And it varies by state and subject.

How do I know if I got an AP Scholar Award? ›

Instructions
  • Sign in to the system. Sign in to our online score reporting system using your College Board account.
  • Look for awards listed after your exam scores. If you've earned any awards this year, you'll see them listed after your scores for this year's exams.
  • Download and print your award certificate(s).

Is the AP Scholar Award a big deal? ›

It's an impressive achievement that demonstrates to colleges, universities, and internships that you have completed several college-level courses and excelled in them. This could help tip the scales on admissions decisions by colleges and potentially even on scholarships.

What is the AP Scholar graduation cord? ›

AP Scholars (Advanced Placement Scholars) (Light Blue/Silver Cord) Determined by College Board and represents making a level 3 or higher on three or more Advanced Placement exams.

How to win AP Scholar Award? ›

AP Scholar Awards

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.

Do colleges like AP Scholar Awards? ›

AP Scholar and NHS type awards are pretty generic. Colleges that attract many high performing applicants won't care about those, but colleges that don't attract a lot of high performing applicants might be glad to see those awards.

Does AP Capstone look good to colleges? ›

Participating in AP Capstone Can Help Students:

Stand out to colleges in the application process. Develop key academic skills they'll use in other classes, college, and beyond. Become self-confident, independent thinkers and problem solvers. Earn college credit: Many colleges offer credit for qualifying scores.

Should I put AP Scholar on the Common App? ›

If the answer is yes, don't worry – you should still list these awards. Common achievements like National Honors Society, AP Scholar, and Honor Roll are honors that admissions officers often see fill this section, but they still help demonstrate your academic excellence!

How many people get an AP capstone diploma? ›

The program has reached a milestone of over 100,000 students participating during the 2022-23 academic year, representing over 2,500 schools worldwide. Approximately 15,800 students earned the AP Capstone Diploma, and 9,600 students earned the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

Are AP Scholar Awards discontinued? ›

However, the State AP Scholar awards were discontinued as of the May 2020 administration. *The National AP Scholar Awards were also discontinued following the May 2020 administration. Note':' "All AP exams taken" refers to all AP exams taken in any year. It is not restricted to the year in which the award is issued.

Do you get notified if you get a perfect score on an AP exam? ›

When a student achieves a perfect score, the College Board usually informs the school directly in the fall. The school then informs the student.

How to get AP capstone diploma? ›

The AP Capstone Diploma is granted to students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on 4 additional AP Exams of their choosing. The AP Seminar and Research Certificate is granted to students who earn scores of 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research.

How many kids get the AP Scholar Award? ›

Although the exact number is not disclosed by the College Board, it is estimated that around 10-15% of students who take AP exams receive the AP Scholar with Distinction award.

How do you qualify for AP Scholar? ›

The minimum requirement is a score of 3 or higher on three exams. 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.

Is the AP Scholar Award recognized nationally? ›

AP Scholar Awards are national awards that can be used as recognition for hard work and academic performance on college applications and resumes. You can get an AP Scholar Award with high performance on your AP Tests throughout your high school career.

What level of honor is AP Scholar? ›

AP Scholar – Score a 3 or higher on at least three AP exams. AP Scholar with Honors – Score a 3 or higher on at least four AP exams. Have a minimum AP average of 3.25. AP Scholar with Distinction – Score a 3 or higher on at least five AP exams.

Do you get a cord for every AP class you take? ›

To be granted a white cord (RHHS AP Scholar) one has to have taken 2 AP courses & exams by the end of junior year with a score of 3 or higher. For a gold cord (RHHS Scholar with Honor), students should have taken 3 AP courses and exams by the end of junior year with a score of 3 or higher.

What GPA gets honors cords? ›

Honors designations at graduation are awarded to baccalaureate recipients based on overall performance in three classifications: Summa Cum Laude: GPA 3.90-4.0. Magna Cum Laude: GPA 3.75-3.89. Cum Laude: GPA 3.5-3.74.

Is AP Scholar an honor for Common App? ›

Music or arts awards/achievements, for example being selected for an exhibition or chosen to perform at a concert at Carnegie Hall. Well-known national awards, such as National Merit Scholar or AP scholar—with the caveat that these are quite common. Always aim to add more unique honors before adding these.

What do you need for AP capstone diploma? ›

Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing receive the AP Capstone Diploma™. Students who earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research but not on four additional AP Exams receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate™.

Is the AP International Diploma worth it? ›

Earning an APID shows your interest in global perspectives and your commitment to an interdisciplinary course of study. This might be particularly useful if you're considering applying to universities outside of the United States or you have specific academic interests related to global affairs or languages.

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