AP score predictor
AP US History Score Calculator
Enter your raw section estimates to predict your 1-5 score, or flip a section to "solve" and see exactly what you need for a 3, 4, or 5.
Reviewed by BoringToolsKit · September 1, 2026 · Formats per official course and exam descriptions; cutoffs are community estimates.
What composite do you need?
Quick answer (estimated, unofficial): roughly 75% composite for a 5, 62% for a 4, 48% for a 3, and 34% for a 2.
The AP US History exam runs 3 hrs 15 min. Enter what you expect to earn in each section below; the weighted composite maps to the predicted score. The inverse solver tells you the points needed in any one section to hit your target.
Score calculator
Predicted AP score
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Composite: - · Multiple choice: - · Free response: -
Cutoffs are community estimates from released scoring worksheets and public score distributions -- College Board does not publish official per-year cut scores, and the curve varies by year. This predictor is an unofficial planning tool, not affiliated with or endorsed by College Board.
How the AP US History exam is structured
| Section | Format | Max points | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple choice correct | 55 questions, 55 minutes | 55 | 40% |
| Short-answer points (3 questions x 3 pts) | 3 SAQs, 3 parts each | 9 | 20% |
| DBQ rubric points | 1 document-based question | 7 | 25% |
| LEQ rubric points | 1 long essay | 6 | 15% |
Score distributions cite College Board's published AP score distributions. Section formats and weights follow the official course and exam descriptions.
How everyone scored in 2025
| Score | 2025 distribution of test-takers |
|---|---|
| 5 | 13% |
| 4 | 29% |
| 3 | 30% |
| 2 | 18% |
| 1 | 10% |
Distributions from College Board's published AP score distributions. A 3 or higher is typically passing.
How the prediction works
Each section contributes (your points ÷ section max) × section weight × 100 to a percent composite. The first estimated cutoff the composite reaches is the predicted score. Example: multiple choice correct at 27 of 55 contributes about 20% composite on its own.
Cutoffs are community estimates from released scoring worksheets and public score distributions -- College Board does not publish official per-year cut scores, and the curve varies by year. This predictor is an unofficial planning tool, not affiliated with or endorsed by College Board.
AP US History score questions, answered
What AP score do I need for college credit?
Most colleges award credit or placement for a 3, 4, or 5, with selective schools often requiring a 4 or 5. Check each college's AP credit policy; it varies widely by institution and subject.
How accurate is this APUSH score predictor?
It applies official section weights to your raw estimates and compares the composite against community-estimated cutoffs. It is a planning tool, not a guarantee: the real curve shifts every year, and free-response scoring depends on rubric readers.
What is a passing AP score?
A 3 is generally considered passing -- it signals qualification and earns credit or placement at many colleges. About 72% of AP US History test-takers scored 3 or higher in 2025.
How is the AP APUSH exam structured?
The exam runs 3 hrs 15 min. Sections: Multiple choice correct (40%); Short-answer points (3 questions x 3 pts) (20%); DBQ rubric points (25%); LEQ rubric points (15%). Weights shown in the format table above follow the official course and exam description.
Is this calculator affiliated with College Board?
No. BoringToolsKit is an independent, privacy-first tool. Inputs never leave your browser, and cutoffs are clearly labeled as estimates.