Class of 2025 Builds on a Decade of Gains in AP Participation and Performance

A growing number of U.S. public high school graduates are participating and succeeding in Advanced Placement^® (AP^®), according to the AP Program Results: Class of 2025 report released today. Over 1.3 million students in the class of 2025 took more than 4.8 million AP Exams in public high schools nationwide, as educators across the country continue to enable a wider population of students to experience the benefits of AP courses.

Over the past decade, the number of public high school graduates nationally who have taken an AP Exam increased from 34.3% of the class of 2015 to 37.0% of the class of 2025. More than 497,000 students from groups that have historically had less access to AP participation graduated in 2025 from U.S. public high schools having taken at least one AP Exam—an increase of more than 167,000 students since the class of 2015.

The report also shows that 875,778 students, or 24.8% of the class of 2025, scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam during high school, up from 20.7% of the class of 2015.  

“The data are clear: more students are stepping into college-level work, and more are proving they can succeed,” said Trevor Packer, head of the Advanced Placement Program. “When educators open the door to AP, students walk through it ready to meet the standard. That’s how the definition of an AP student continues to expand.”  

State Highlights

Once again, Massachusetts leads the nation in the percentage of students taking and succeeding in AP, with 35.8% of public school graduates from the class of 2025 having scored 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam. This represents a 6.4 percentage-point increase from 2015. Massachusetts also had the highest percentage of graduates in the classes of 2020, 2022, and 2024, scoring a 3 or higher on an AP Exam during high school.

The 10 states with the highest percentage of 2025 public high school graduates earning a 3 or higher on an AP Exam in high school are:

• Massachusetts 35.8%
• New York 34.4%
• New Jersey 33.2%
• California 31.8%
• Illinois 31.4%
• District of Columbia 31.3%
• Connecticut 31.0%
• Florida 31.0%
• Maryland 30.7%
• Colorado 29.5%

The District of Columbia had the largest 1-year and 10-year increases—3.9% and 14.9 percentage points, respectively—in public high school graduates scoring a 3 or higher on an AP Exam. New York had the largest 5-year increase—5.1 percentage points—while Alaska, California, and New York had the largest 3-year increase at 6.1 percentage points. Given the powerful benefits of AP for students who take the exam—regardless of score—these gains reflect meaningful progress in expanding access and opportunity.

Taking One AP Course Delivers the Biggest Boost for College Completion  

Research also shows that introducing students to the rigor and relevance of AP courses boosts college success, with the largest gains in first-year college GPA and four-year degree completion occurring when students take their first AP course and exam. While some students begin AP with a course that fulfills a graduation requirement, others start with an AP course tied to a favorite subject or personal interest. Wherever they start, students ready to take on college-level work and career preparation are encouraged to participate.

As educators consider the best way to support students moving into a first AP course, patterns for the class of 2025 may help inform planning. Among the class of 2025 graduates who took at least one AP Exam in high school, AP English Language and Composition, AP World History: Modern, AP Human Geography, AP United States History, and AP Psychology saw the largest number of first-time exam takers.

Looking ahead to the 2026–27 school year, a new set of career-focused AP courses and exams will launch under the AP Career Kickstart™ initiative, beginning with AP Business with Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity. These courses, designed in partnership with employers, college faculty, and high school educators, connect coursework to real-word, career-focused learning while maintaining college-level rigor.  

About College Board  

College Board reaches more than 7 million students a year, helping them navigate the path from high school to college and career. Our not-for-profit membership organization was founded more than 120 years ago. We pioneered programs like the SAT^® and AP^® to expand opportunities for students and help them develop the skills they need. Our BigFuture^® program helps students plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers. Learn more at cb.org.