AP Research: 2021 Results
The following data reflect the 24,049 students worldwide who submitted an AP Research academic paper.
AP Research score distributions, 2019 vs. 2021
The following table enables comparisons of student performance in 2021 to student performance prior to the covid-19 pandemic:
| AP Score | 2019 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 11% | 14% |
| 4 | 22% | 26% |
| 3 | 43% | 42% |
| 2 | 19% | 14% |
| 1 | 5% | 4% |
Of these 24,049 students, 375 achieved perfect scores of 80 out of 80 points possible from all professors/teachers across their academic paper and their presentation and oral defense.
The Academic Paper
The following information is specific to the academic paper scored externally at the AP Reading by college professors and AP teachers. Out of 10 points (each of which is then multiplied by 6; the Academic Paper is worth 60 of the 80 points possible for the AP Research score):
- 10 points: 3% of students
- 9 points: 6%
- 8 points: 12%
- 7 points: 21%
- 5 points: 12%
- 4 points: 8%
- 3 points: 3%
- 2 points: 3%
- 1 point: <1%