How rare is a perfect AP exam score?

Just wondering, how often do people get perfect scores on AP exams? Is it super rare or more common than I think? Are there certain subjects where it's more likely to happen?

A perfect score on an AP exam is relatively rare but not unheard of. The College Board, which administers the AP exams, occasionally announces when a student achieves a perfect score. They typically report the number of perfect scores per subject each year, but the specific numbers can vary. In general, it's safe to say that a very small percentage of test-takers achieve a perfect score on any given AP exam.

It's essential to distinguish between a perfect score (meaning the student answered every question correctly) and the highest possible score of 5. Many students can achieve a score of 5 on an AP exam without actually having a perfect raw score since the conversion to a scaled score typically allows for a bit of error. Thus, achieving a score of 5 is more common and is considered the top score for college admissions purposes.

Certain subjects might have slightly higher rates of perfect scores, often due to the nature of the material, the number of test-takers, and the skills required for the exam. For instance, subjects like Calculus BC or Computer Science A may be more likely to produce perfect scores than subjects like English Literature or History, due to the more objective nature of the questions in the former subjects. However, it's crucial to remember that the percentage of perfect scores within each subject still remains quite low.

Ultimately, it's important to keep in mind that while a perfect score is impressive, aiming for the highest possible scaled score of 5 is more practical and achievable for most students. This still signals to colleges that the student has demonstrated exceptional understanding of the material and mastery of the subject.