Done with Your AP Exam? Here’s What to Do Next. You finally finished your AP exam. All those late nights, flashcards, and practice tests—over. But now what?
Should you relax, plan for college, or worry about your score? Is a 3 good enough? What if you’re aiming for a 5? And how do schools like Harvard or MIT really view your results?
This guide breaks it all down. We’ll cover:
- ✅ What to do if your score was higher—or lower—than expected
- 🎓 How top colleges use AP scores (real examples included)
- 💬 What real students say about AP Chinese, Physics, and more
- 📊 Why a 70% might still land you a top score
- 🧠 How to reset your brain after all that stress
No jargon. No vague tips. Just clear, honest answers to help you move forward with confidence.
Let’s get started.
What Should You Do After an AP Exam?
First, take a breath. You’ve earned it.
Many students wonder—Should I rest, or keep the momentum going? The answer is both.
Rest vs. Recharge
You don’t need to dive right back into study mode. But a full Netflix binge for a week? Not ideal either.
Think of this time as a reset. Do things that relax your mind but also keep you sharp. A few ideas:
- Take a nap. Seriously, even a short one helps.
- Journal how the exam went (it helps you reflect and prepare for next year).
- Review topics you struggled with—but casually. Watch videos, not textbooks.
What Other Students Did
“After AP Bio, I gave myself 2 days off, then started prepping for SATs. You can chill and stay productive.”
— u/studynerd42 on Reddit
“I went hiking the next day. No regrets. You need to refresh before finals.”
— u/mindfulstudent
✅ Quick After-Exam Checklist
Here’s a simple list to keep your post-exam time useful:
- Get sleep. Your brain’s been through a lot.
- Reflect: What felt easy? What didn’t?
- Plan ahead: Final exams, SAT/ACT, or college apps?
- Treat yourself—you did something hard.
- Don’t overthink your score yet (you can’t change it).
Related: Summer Study Planner (For AP Retakes or College Prep)
What Happens If You Score a 5 on the AP Exam?
Scoring a 5 on an AP exam feels great—but what does it actually get you?
🎓 College Credit (Sometimes)
A 5 is the highest score you can get. But not every college treats it the same.
- Harvard doesn’t offer credit for most AP scores, but a 5 can still strengthen your application.
- MIT accepts some 5s for credit—like AP Calculus BC or AP Physics C—but not for everything.
- State universities and liberal arts colleges are often more generous. A 5 might earn you full course credit or let you skip intro classes.
👉 Use the official AP Credit Policy Search to check each college’s policy.
Tip: Even if a school doesn’t give credit, a 5 still shows mastery. That can help with placement tests and course recommendations.
💰 Scholarships and Awards
Some high schools and local orgs reward top AP scores:
- National AP Scholar Award (note: this was discontinued in 2021, but some states still recognize variations)
- Local scholarships for STEM or language excellence
- Early college admissions perks
Also, strong AP scores can help you qualify for honors programs or special research tracks.
“My 5 in AP Chem helped me skip gen chem at UCLA. I got to start research in my freshman year.”
— Student quote via College Confidential
Sample College Credit Chart for AP Scores
| College | AP Exam | Credit for Score of 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | AP Biology | ❌ No Credit |
| MIT | AP Calculus BC | ✅ Yes (if score is 5) |
| UCLA | AP Chemistry | ✅ Yes (may skip Gen Chem) |
| University of Florida | AP Psychology | ✅ Yes |
| Stanford University | AP US History | ❌ No Credit |
| Texas A&M | AP Physics C | ✅ Yes |
| NYU | AP English Lang | ✅ Partial (elective credit) |
| UC Berkeley | AP Statistics | ✅ Yes |
🔎 Note: Always check the official AP Credit Policy Search for up-to-date info.
Can a 70% Really Earn You a 5? (Exam Scoring Secrets)
Yes, it sounds strange—but in many AP subjects, scoring around 70% can earn you a 5.
Here’s why.
How AP Exams Are Scored
AP exams aren’t graded like your school tests. There’s no “90% = A” system here.
Instead, they use a curve. Your raw score (points you earn from multiple-choice and free-response) gets converted into a 1–5 scale. The scale shifts each year, based on how students across the country perform.
So if an exam is especially hard, scoring lower might still rank you among the top performers.
👉 For example:
In AP US History, a raw score around 65–70% often maps to a score of 5.
In AP Physics 1, even a 55% might do the same, depending on the year.
“I got a 3 on AP World with a 60% raw. My friend got a 5 in AP Psych with less than 75%. The curve is real.”
— u/apstudentlife on Reddit
Is It Fair?
Many students actually say yes. It balances things out when the test is tougher than expected.
But others feel it’s confusing—especially when your score doesn’t match how the test felt.
Either way, the takeaway is this:
Don’t panic if you felt it was hard. You might’ve done better than you think.
Official AP Score Distributions
Want the data? The College Board publishes real stats every year:
📊 College Board AP Score Distributions
This shows the percentage of students who scored 1–5 in each subject. Great for spotting which exams are more competitive.
What If You Think You Failed? (Next Steps)
Let’s be real—sometimes you walk out of an AP exam and think, That was a disaster.
You’re not alone. Tons of students feel that way. And guess what? Some still end up scoring a 3, 4, or even 5.
But even if your score comes back lower than you hoped, it’s not the end of the road.
Can You Retake an AP Exam?
Yes. You can take the same AP exam again next year. There’s no penalty, and colleges won’t know you took it twice unless you tell them.
But here’s the key: You’ll need a better strategy.
That’s where self-study comes in.
How to Self-Study Smarter for a Retake
You don’t need to wait for school to offer the class again. Many students prep on their own—and crush it.
Here’s what helps:
- Find out exactly where you went wrong (free-response vs. multiple choice? Timing issues?)
- Use updated review books (Barron’s or Princeton Review work great)
- Watch topic-based YouTube channels
- Practice FRQs and submit them to Reddit or Discord for peer feedback
👀 Want to see how self-studying actually works?
Check out this full guide:
👉 How to Self-Study for an AP Exam and Score a 5
Real Talk from Reddit
“I got a 2 in APUSH. Felt crushed. But I studied solo the next year, used a schedule I found online, and ended up with a 5. Still proud of that.”
— u/historyguy2023
Failures happen. But you can bounce back—and even come out stronger.
How to Reflect After an Exam (Emotionally & Academically)
The exam’s over, but your learning doesn’t stop there.
This is a great time to step back—not just to breathe, but to grow.
Start with a Journal (Yes, It Helps)
Grab a notebook or open a doc and answer these questions:
- What went better than expected?
- What questions threw you off?
- What will you do differently next time?
This isn’t about obsessing. It’s about building your own feedback loop.
Ask for Feedback—Even If It’s Awkward
Talk to your AP teacher. Ask:
“Which section do you think I likely missed the most points on?”
It shows you care. And it gives you a sharper strategy for future tests—or next year’s APs.
Mindset Matters Too
Post-exam anxiety is real. If your brain feels like it’s stuck in test mode, try a mindfulness app like:
Even 5 minutes a day can help reset your focus and emotions.
👉 Feeling overwhelmed even after the exam?
You’re not alone. Here’s how to stop stressing over AP exams—real tips included.
Is It Hard to Get a 5 on the AP Exam? (Reality Check)
Let’s be real—scoring a 5 isn’t impossible, but it’s not easy either.
It depends on the AP subject, how you study, and whether the exam plays to your strengths.
Which AP Exams Are Hardest to Get a 5?
Here’s the truth from the data (2023):
| AP Exam | % of Students Who Got a 5 |
|---|---|
| AP Chinese | 49% 🟢 (very high) |
| AP Physics 1 | 8% 🔴 (very low) |
| AP World History | 13% 🔴 |
| AP Calculus BC | 41% 🟢 |
| AP U.S. History | 11% 🔴 |
Yes—AP Chinese is often seen as “hard,” but it actually has one of the highest 5-rates. Why? Many fluent or heritage speakers take it. Compare that to AP Physics 1, which trips up even strong students.
What Makes an AP “Hard”?
- Complex topics (physics, history, calc)
- Heavy writing (English Lit, APUSH)
- Curve? Nope. APs don’t use one.
- Time pressure: Reading + writing + MCQs in a few hours
Student Perspective: Reddit & Real Talk
“I studied 2 months for AP Physics 1 and got a 3. It’s brutal unless you really get physics.”
— u/gravitygoesbrr
“AP Chinese is only easy if you speak it at home. I didn’t—and it was a lot.”
— u/nonnativelearner
Want to Boost Your Score Odds?
You can absolutely self-study smart and still get a 5—with the right plan.
👉 Here’s how to self-study for an AP and actually score a 5 »
Frequently Asked Questions About Life After the AP Exam
1. What should I do after taking an AP exam?
After your AP exam, it’s smart to review how you felt, jot down what topics were tough, and look ahead—whether that’s prepping for finals, applying to college, or checking when AP scores release. It’s also okay to just rest!
2. What happens if I get a 5 on an AP exam?
A 5 is the highest score you can get. Many colleges offer credit or placement for it, though policies vary. Some schools let you skip intro courses, while others use it for admissions weight only.
3. Is 70% a 5 on an AP exam?
Yes, sometimes. AP exams are curved, so getting around 70% of the answers correct could still result in a 5, depending on the subject and difficulty that year.
4. How rare is it to get a 5 on an AP exam?
It depends on the subject. For example, about 11% of students earn a 5 on AP Physics 1, while over 40% may score a 5 on AP Chinese. Check College Board’s latest score distribution for exact numbers
5. Is AP Chinese hard?
AP Chinese is considered difficult—especially for non-native speakers. It includes listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills, and tests fluency under time pressure. Many native speakers take it to boost their GPA.
6. What is the most failed AP exam?
AP Physics 1 often has the lowest pass rate, with a large number of students scoring a 1 or 2. It’s known for tough conceptual questions and tricky free-response problems.
7. Do colleges like Harvard or MIT accept AP credits?
Harvard offers limited AP credit, mostly for placement—not actual credit. MIT doesn’t accept AP credit for most subjects, but strong scores still help in admissions. Always check each school’s policy.
8. Can I self-study AP exams like AP Chinese or AP Psychology?
Yes, but it depends on your study style and the subject. AP Psychology is often considered self-study-friendly. AP Chinese is tougher to self-study due to its listening and speaking components.
9. Has anyone ever scored 100% on an AP exam?
Very rarely. A “perfect” AP score (every multiple-choice and free-response question correct) happens occasionally, and the College Board sometimes announces it as a standout achievement.
Final Thoughts: You Made It!
Whether you walked out of the exam room feeling confident or confused, take a breath—you did something most students never attempt. Taking an AP exam is an achievement in itself.
Now’s a great time to reflect, recharge, and plan your next move, whether that’s prepping for college, retaking an AP class, or simply enjoying a much-deserved break.
Remember, one test doesn’t define you. Your GPA, AP scores, and study habits all matter—but so does your curiosity, your effort, and your long-term growth.
If you’re unsure what your score might mean or what to do next, don’t worry—you’re not alone. We’re here to help you figure it out, step by step.
Good luck—and go celebrate a little. You’ve earned it.
Nawab, an educator with a decade of K-12 teaching, holds a graduate degree and a diploma in elementary education. He has also been blogging for five years, sharing insights for educators and parents.
