AP Chemistry Score Calculator 2025
Estimate your 1-5 composite score based on Section I and Section II performance.
Section I: Multiple Choice
Section II: Free Response (FRQ)
Enter points earned for each question.
How the AP Chemistry Exam is Scored in 2025
Understanding how your AP Chemistry exam is graded is crucial for targeting your study efforts. The exam is divided into two equally weighted sections, each contributing 50% to your final composite score.
Section I: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
This section consists of 60 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 90 minutes. Each correct answer earns 1 point. There is no penalty for guessing, so you should never leave a question blank. The raw score is calculated by taking the number of correct answers and weighting it to fit a 50-point scale.
Section II: Free Response Questions (FRQ)
The FRQ section lasts 105 minutes and consists of 7 questions: 3 "long" questions (typically 10 points each) and 4 "short" questions (typically 4 points each). This adds up to a raw total of 46 points. This raw total is then weighted so it also contributes exactly 50% to the final composite score.
Composite Score to AP Score Conversion
Once both sections are weighted and added together (for a maximum composite score of 100), the College Board applies a "curve" or score boundary to determine your final grade from 1 to 5. While these boundaries change slightly every year based on the difficulty of the 2025 exam, the following table represents the historical averages:
| Composite Score Range | AP Score | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 72 – 100 | 5 | Extremely Well Qualified |
| 58 – 71 | 4 | Well Qualified |
| 42 – 57 | 3 | Qualified |
| 27 – 41 | 2 | Possibly Qualified |
| 0 – 26 | 1 | No Recommendation |
Examples of Scoring Scenarios
- The "5" Strategy: If you get 48/60 on the MCQs and 35/46 on the FRQs, your weighted composite would be approximately 78, comfortably landing you a score of 5.
- The "Passing" Strategy: To secure a 3, you could aim for 35/60 on MCQs and 20/46 on FRQs, which results in a composite score of roughly 51.
Tips for the 2025 AP Chemistry Exam
1. Master the Calculator: Ensure you are proficient with your scientific or graphing calculator for the FRQ section, especially for equilibrium and stoichiometry problems.
2. Don't Ignore Small Points: In the FRQ section, units and significant figures often account for specific points. Losing these "easy" points can drop you an entire score level.
3. Pacing: Spend no more than 1.5 minutes per MCQ and roughly 15-20 minutes on each long FRQ.