What are the different AP Awards to aim for?

Hey everyone! I'm an ambitious high school junior and I've taken multiple AP courses throughout my academic journey. I heard that there are AP awards for students who perform well on these exams, but I'm not quite sure about the different types of awards available. Can anyone help me understand the distinctions and requirements for each?

Hello! I'm glad to see that you're interested in the AP Awards. The AP Program offers several different award categories that recognize students for their outstanding achievements. Here's a breakdown of the different types of AP Awards, along with the requirements for each:

1. AP Scholar: To qualify as an AP Scholar, you'll need to score a 3 or higher on three or more AP exams. It's a good starting point if you've taken a few AP classes and done well on the exams.

2. AP Scholar with Honor: This award is for students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and score a 3 or higher on four or more exams. It's a step up from the basic AP Scholar award and reflects a slightly higher degree of commitment and success.

3. AP Scholar with Distinction: To achieve this status, you'll need to have an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and score a 3 or higher on five or more exams. This award is for students who've consistently excelled in multiple AP courses throughout their high school career.

4. AP Capstone Diploma: This award is given to students who score a 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research, along with receiving a 3 or higher on any four additional AP exams. The AP Capstone Diploma showcases a commitment to building college-level research and communication skills.

5. AP Seminar and Research Certificate: To earn this certificate, you'll need to score a 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research courses. It's similar to the AP Capstone Diploma but doesn't require the additional four AP exams.

6. State AP Scholar: This award is presented to one male and one female student in each U.S. state and the District of Columbia who have the highest average AP scores (at least 3.5) and the highest score on the greatest number of exams (at least three).

7. National AP Scholar: This is the most prestigious of the AP Awards, as it requires the highest level of performance. To earn this title, you'll need an average score of at least 4 on all AP exams taken and a score of 4 or higher on eight or more exams.

Please note that these awards are available to students in the United States. International students and students in Canada have slightly different award categories. It's excellent to have goals when taking AP courses, but make sure you're also enjoying the learning process and not just focusing on accumulating awards. Good luck in your AP journey!