AP U.S. Government pass rate and score distribution
In 2026, 76% of AP U.S. Government and Politics students scored 3 or higher. In May 2025 the share was 71.7% of 387,973 students, with a mean score of 3.34 out of 5.
Scored 3 or higher in 2026
76%
Scored 3 or higher in 2025
71.7% of 387,973 students
Scored 5 in 2025
23.7%
Mean score in 2025
3.34
The May 2025 distribution
A 5: 23.7%
A 4: 24.8%
A 3: 23.2%
A 2: 18.4%
A 1: 9.9%
The May 2026 distribution
College Board published the 2026 shares as whole percentages, without a count of students.
A 5: 23%
A 4: 28%
A 3: 25%
A 2: 16%
A 1: 8%
What counts as passing
College Board does not call any score a pass. Many US colleges grant credit or advanced placement for scores of 3 and above, and each college decides which scores it accepts. Check the colleges on your list.
How a score is made
The multiple choice is 50% of the score and each of the four free-response questions is 12.5%. College Board converts the weighted total to the 1 to 5 scale. Our practice exams report questions right and points earned, never an AP score.
Try 2 questions
Question 1
In 1936 a magazine mailed millions of mock ballots to people drawn largely from telephone directories and car registration lists, and it predicted that Alf Landon would defeat President Franklin Roosevelt. Roosevelt won in a landslide. Which flaw most likely explains the error?
Question 2
A retired voter compares the candidates' plans for Social Security and votes for the one whose plan would most increase her own monthly check. Her decision best reflects