The gross number of students taking and passing AP exams has increased over the past ten years, but overall pass rates are low.

Not to mention that over the past ten years AP exams have become much easier to pass because of all the review books and free online tutorials available.

From U.S. News & World Report:

College Board: AP Exam Pass Rate Nearly Doubles in 10 Years

More minority and low-income students are taking and passing Advanced Placement exams, the College Board announced on Tuesday.

But the numbers aren’t yet cause for celebration. Just more than 1 in 5 high school juniors and seniors nationwide (nearly 1.5 million students) took an AP exam in 2014, and just more than 1 in 8 received a passing score on any exam. Still, those numbers have doubled since 2004, when 12 percent of 11th and 12th grade students took AP exams, and 7.6 percent passed.

Notably, however, the College Board found Hispanic students are taking AP exams at almost the same rate as the nation overall: 19.1 percent of Hispanic high school junior and seniors took an AP exam in 2014, compared with 21.9 percent nationwide. The participation rate has also increased among students who use fee reductions provided by the College Board, an indication that more low income students are participating in AP programs. In 2014, 24 percent of test-takers used a fee reduction, compared with 11.8 percent in 2004.

“The College Board remains committed to ensuring all students with the potential to succeed in AP courses are able to access those opportunities,” said Trevor Packer, senior vice president for AP and Instruction at the College Board, in a statement. “Research clearly shows that challenging coursework in high school is a vital component in helping students succeed as they transition to college and beyond.


 
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