Education
APUSH Score Calculator
Enter raw section scores for multiple choice, short-answer, DBQ, and LEQ. Adjust max points and weights if needed. The calculator returns the weighted composite and an estimated AP score from 1 to 5.
Section scores
Enter raw points per section. Max points and weights are editable if your scoring rubric differs.
Multiple choice (55 Qs)
e.g. 55
Short-answer questions (3)
e.g. 9
Document-based question
e.g. 7
Long essay question
e.g. 6
Estimated AP score (1 to 5)
1
Composite ≈ 0% · weights sum to 100%
Estimated score bands (composite %)
- Score 5≥ 70%
- Score 4≥ 60%
- Score 3≥ 50%
- Score 2≥ 40%
- Score 1< 40%
Bands are general estimates, not official cut scores.
Examples
MC 38/55 · SAQ 7/9 · DBQ 5/7 · LEQ 4/6 · standard weights
Composite ≈ 72% · score 5
MC 30/55 · SAQ 6/9 · DBQ 4/7 · LEQ 3/6
Composite ≈ 58% · score 3
MC 45/55 · SAQ 8/9 · DBQ 6/7 · LEQ 5/6
Composite ≈ 86% · score 5
How it works
Each section is converted to a percentage (raw / max × 100), then the four percentages are combined with the weights you provide into a composite percentage. The composite is mapped to an AP score using estimated score-band thresholds.
Section % · raw / max × 100
Composite · Σ (section% × weight) / Σ weight
AP score bands · 5 ≥ 70%, 4 ≥ 60%, 3 ≥ 50%, 2 ≥ 40%, 1 below
Related education calculators
- AP score calculator for the generic AP score estimator across all subjects.
- Final grade calculator for the broader course grade you need for an A.
- GPA calculator for course-by-course GPA.
- All education calculators.
Unofficial. AP score cut points are set by the College Board and vary by year and exam form. This calculator is an independent educational estimator and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the College Board.
Frequently asked questions
The exam has four sections: 55 multiple-choice questions, three short-answer questions (SAQs), one document-based question (DBQ), and one long essay question (LEQ). Each section is graded out of its own max-points scale, weighted, and combined into a composite percentage that the College Board maps to a 1 to 5 AP score.
The standard APUSH weights used in published examiner guides are approximately 40% multiple choice, 20% short-answer, 25% DBQ, and 15% LEQ. The calculator uses these as defaults but lets you adjust them if your rubric or practice exam uses different weights.
The College Board sets cut scores each year after equating raw scores across exam forms. Published examiner statistics suggest typical cut points around 70% for a 5, 60% for a 4, 50% for a 3, and 40% for a 2 on the composite percentage scale. Actual cut scores vary by year and form.
No. This is an independent unofficial estimator. The College Board does not publish exact cut scores in advance, and the only authoritative score is the one they send you in July.
Within roughly one AP score band for honest, well-graded inputs. The biggest source of error is self-grading the DBQ and LEQ rubrics, which require practice and a clear understanding of College Board scoring guidelines. Be conservative on essay self-scores.
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