News Brief

02/20/13

More Students Taking, Passing AP Exams, But Concerns Linger Over Access

Associated Press (02/20/13)Data released by the College Board reveals that 19.5 percent of high school graduates scored a three or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam in 2012, up from 18.1 percent in 2011 and 11.6 percent in 2002. The number of students taking at least one AP exam rose to 32.4 percent in 2012, up from 30.2 percent in 2011 and 18 percent in 2002. Among those students taking an AP exam in 2012, 60.1 percent scored three or higher, up from 59.8 percent in 2011. About 14.2 percent of students scored a five last year, the highest percentage in a decade. However, the College Board says there are more students who could succeed on AP exams but fail to sign up because some schools do not offer AP or students are not pushed to enroll. Only 30 percent of Latino or African-American students took an AP course, compared to 40 percent and 60 percent of white and Asian students, respectively. Of the successful 2012 test-takers, nearly 62 percent were white, while 16 percent were Latino and 4.4 percent were African-American, about the same as 2011.

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