How many students get AP Scholar with Distinction?

Hey everyone! I'm curious about the AP Scholar with Distinction award. How many students typically receive this award each year? Is it super competitive?

Hello! The AP Scholar with Distinction award is given to students who achieve a high level of performance on their AP exams. The requirements to obtain this award include a minimum average score of 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on at least five exams. The award itself is not particularly competitive, as many students who take multiple AP courses and do well on the exams can get it.

The actual number of students who receive this award varies from year to year. Although the exact number is not disclosed by the College Board, it is estimated that around 10-15% of students who take AP exams receive the AP Scholar with Distinction award.

Remember that, while the AP Scholar with Distinction award is a recognition of your academic achievements, colleges will primarily focus on your actual AP courses and the grades you receive. They're more interested in your academic rigor and your performance in those courses rather than the award itself. Nonetheless, having this award can definitely enhance an already strong college application.

If you'd like to learn more about the role AP exam scores (and the awards related to these scores) play in the college process, I'd recommend checking out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-important-are-ap-scores-for-college-admissions/. Good luck with your APs!