Mississippi sees record high qualifying scores on Advanced Placement exams

During the 2024-25 school year, Mississippi public schools saw a record number of Advanced Placement (AP) exams with qualifying scores. According to recent data, 11,393 students took a total of 16,145 AP exams, and 9,155 of those exams received a qualifying score. This results in a qualifying rate of 56.7%, which is the highest on record for the state.

While the number of students taking AP exams decreased by 8.4% and the total number of tests taken dropped by 8.8% compared to the previous academic year, there was an 18.4% increase in passing scores on these exams. Over the past decade, both student participation in AP courses and exam pass rates have more than doubled statewide.

AP courses are college-level classes taught by high school teachers. Studies indicate that students who participate in AP programs are better prepared for college and have higher four-year graduation rates than their peers who do not take AP courses.

Mississippi is among 37 states with a consistent statewide policy regarding AP credit. Under this policy, students who earn a score of three or higher on an AP exam are eligible to receive at least three college credits at any public university or community college in Mississippi. This helps reduce overall university costs for participating students.

The Mississippi State Board of Education requires all high schools to offer advanced courses—including AP classes—in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Participation in these advanced or accelerated courses factors into school and district accountability ratings. Additionally, funding is available to cover AP exam fees for low-income students.

To further expand access to these opportunities, the Mississippi Department of Education launched an AP Initiative during the 2015-16 school year aimed at increasing participation across the state. The initiative focuses on promoting awareness about AP benefits, expanding access to courses, and providing professional development related to AP instruction for educators.

"