Advanced Placement Awards


The College Board offers several awards to selected students who take Advanced Placement exams.

AP scholar designations

Each year, the AP program recognizes students who have performed exceptionally well on AP examinations. Exams are taken in May and awards are usually granted in September. The following designations can be earned:
Previously, State AP Scholar Awards were distributed to the top male and female student of each state. However, the State AP Scholar awards were discontinued as of the May 2020 administration. The National AP Scholar Awards will also be discontinued, starting with the May 2021 administration.
Note':' "All AP exams taken" refers to all AP exams taken in any year. It is not restricted to the year in which the award is issued.

AP International Diploma

The AP program also awards the AP International Diploma for overseas study to students who have applied to colleges outside of the United States that have completed a sequence of AP exams with satisfactory scores. Prior to May 2006, a student had to earn a score of three or better on five or more AP exams in three of the five subject areas shown in the table below, with certain subject area requirements. As of May 2006, the College Board had implemented new requirements for awarding the AP International Diploma.