What does passing an AP exam mean?

This might sound a bit silly, but what exactly counts as passing on an AP exam and how important is it? Does 'passing' vary from subject to subject or is it consistent across the board?

Hi there! Definitely not a silly question at all! A passing score on an AP (Advanced Placement) exam is considered to be a 3 or above, out of a possible 5. This standard of passing is consistent across all AP exams, regardless of the subject. While a score of 3 is passing, some colleges and universities might only give you credit for a score of 4 or 5, and this can vary from institution to institution or even by department within an institution. For example, some competitive engineering schools might require a 5 on the AP Calculus exam for credit, while other departments within the same university might accept a 4 for their courses. Essentially, the higher you score, the more likely you can receive college credit or place into higher-level courses once you're in college. Remember to check the AP credit policies of the colleges you're interested in to see how your scores can be used!