Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) students took more than 40,000 Advanced Placement (AP) exams in 2018—an all-time high—and more than 70 percent of those exams earned a college-ready score of 3 or higher.

MCPS students took 40,404 AP exams in 2018, an increase of more than 5,000 tests from 2016. Students earned a college-ready score on 70.8 percent of those exams. MCPS students outperformed their peers across the state and the nation. In 2018, 65.5 percent of AP exams taken by students in the state of Maryland earned a college-ready score. Nationally, 57.2 percent of the AP exams taken scored a 3 or higher. MCPS students accounted for 36.9 percent of all the AP exams taken in Maryland during 2018 and 39.9 percent of the AP exams that earned a college-ready score.

MCPS students of all racial/ethnic groups exceeded the percentage of AP exams with scores of 3 or higher compared with students in the state of Maryland and in the nation. For example, the percentage of AP exams taken by MCPS African American students earning scores of 3 or higher (47.1 percent) was 17.2 percentage points greater than those in the nation (29.9 percent). 

MCPS high schools saw significant increases in AP exam participation and performance of minority students. Between 2016 and 2018, 19 MCPS high schools observed an increase in the number of AP exams taken by African American students and 23 schools experienced an increase in the number of AP exams taken by Hispanic students. Ten high schools saw increases for both AP exam participation and performance for African American students. Eight high schools exhibited increases for both AP exam participation and performance for Hispanic students.

Advanced Placement courses are rigorous, college-level classes that are offered across many subject areas. At the end of these courses, students can take an AP exam. A score of 3 (out of 5) or higher is an indication of readiness for college-level work. Many colleges and universities will give college credit to students who pass an AP class and score a 3 or higher on the exam.

Report on MCPS AP Participation and Performance