This calculator helps you estimate your potential AP Exam score (1-5) based on your performance on the Multiple Choice (MCQ) and Free Response Question (FRQ) sections. Please note that actual scoring rubrics and raw score to scaled score conversions vary by exam and year, and are proprietary to the College Board. This tool provides an estimation based on common weighting schemes and score thresholds.
Multiple Choice Section
Free Response Section
Estimated AP Score
Understanding AP Exam Scoring
AP Exams are designed to measure a student's mastery of college-level course material. The final score, ranging from 1 to 5, is a scaled score derived from a composite raw score. This raw score is typically a weighted sum of points earned on the multiple-choice and free-response sections.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
The MCQ section usually consists of a set number of questions, each contributing a certain amount to the raw score. Historically, there was a penalty for incorrect answers, but this has largely been removed for most exams. Your raw MCQ score is simply the number of correct answers.
Free Response Questions (FRQ)
The FRQ section requires students to write essays, solve problems, or provide detailed explanations. Each FRQ is scored by trained readers using a specific rubric, typically out of a maximum number of points (e.g., 9 points for many questions). The total FRQ raw score is the sum of points earned on all free-response questions.
Weighting and Composite Score
The MCQ and FRQ sections are weighted differently depending on the AP subject. For example, in some exams, MCQs might account for 50% of the total raw score, and FRQs for the other 50%. These weighted scores are combined to form a composite raw score. This composite score is then converted to the final 1-5 scaled score using a specific, often proprietary, conversion table that varies by exam and year.
Interpreting AP Scores
5 – Extremely well qualified: Equivalent to an A or A+ in a college course.
4 – Well qualified: Equivalent to an A-, B+, or B in a college course.
3 – Qualified: Equivalent to a B-, C+, or C in a college course. This is generally considered a passing score by colleges.
2 – Possibly qualified: May receive college credit, but often not.
Total Raw Score = 38.89 + 33.33 = 72.22 points (out of 100)
4. Estimated AP Scaled Score:
Based on common thresholds (e.g., 70%+ for a 5), a score of 72.22% would likely result in an estimated AP Score of 5.
Remember, this is an estimation. For precise scoring information, always refer to the College Board's official resources for the specific AP exam you are taking.
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function calculateAPScore() {
// Get input values
var totalMCQ = parseFloat(document.getElementById("totalMCQ").value);
var correctMCQ = parseFloat(document.getElementById("correctMCQ").value);
var mcqWeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("mcqWeight").value);
var totalFRQ = parseFloat(document.getElementById("totalFRQ").value);
var maxPointsPerFRQ = parseFloat(document.getElementById("maxPointsPerFRQ").value);
var avgFRQScore = parseFloat(document.getElementById("avgFRQScore").value);
var frqWeight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("frqWeight").value);
var resultOutput = document.getElementById("resultOutput");
// Input validation
if (isNaN(totalMCQ) || isNaN(correctMCQ) || isNaN(mcqWeight) ||
isNaN(totalFRQ) || isNaN(maxPointsPerFRQ) || isNaN(avgFRQScore) || isNaN(frqWeight)) {
resultOutput.innerHTML = "Please enter valid numbers for all fields.";
return;
}
if (totalMCQ <= 0 || correctMCQ totalMCQ) {
resultOutput.innerHTML = "Please ensure 'Total Multiple Choice Questions' is positive and 'Correct Multiple Choice Answers' is between 0 and total MCQs.";
return;
}
if (totalFRQ <= 0 || maxPointsPerFRQ <= 0 || avgFRQScore maxPointsPerFRQ) {
resultOutput.innerHTML = "Please ensure 'Total Free Response Questions' and 'Max Points Per FRQ' are positive, and 'Average Score Per FRQ' is between 0 and max points per FRQ.";
return;
}
if (mcqWeight 100 || frqWeight 100) {
resultOutput.innerHTML = "Weighting percentages must be between 0 and 100.";
return;
}
if (mcqWeight + frqWeight !== 100) {
resultOutput.innerHTML = "The sum of MCQ and FRQ weighting percentages must be 100%.";
return;
}
// Calculate MCQ Contribution
var mcqRawScorePercentage = (correctMCQ / totalMCQ);
var mcqContribution = mcqRawScorePercentage * mcqWeight; // Contribution to a 100-point raw score scale
// Calculate FRQ Contribution
var frqRawScorePercentage = (avgFRQScore / maxPointsPerFRQ);
var frqContribution = frqRawScorePercentage * frqWeight; // Contribution to a 100-point raw score scale
// Total Estimated Raw Score (out of 100)
var estimatedRawScore = mcqContribution + frqContribution;
// Determine AP Scaled Score (1-5) based on common thresholds
var apScaledScore;
if (estimatedRawScore >= 70) {
apScaledScore = 5;
} else if (estimatedRawScore >= 60) {
apScaledScore = 4;
} else if (estimatedRawScore >= 50) {
apScaledScore = 3;
} else if (estimatedRawScore >= 40) {
apScaledScore = 2;
} else {
apScaledScore = 1;
}
// Display results
resultOutput.innerHTML = "Estimated Raw Score: " + estimatedRawScore.toFixed(2) + "%";
resultOutput.innerHTML += "Estimated AP Scaled Score: " + apScaledScore + "";
resultOutput.innerHTML += "(Note: This is an estimation. Actual thresholds vary by exam and year.)";
}