How the APES exam is scored
The 2027 AP Environmental Science exam is on Thursday, May 13, 2027 (Session 2, usually afternoon), and AP scores come out in July.[6][7] AP Environmental Science is fully digital and leans on multiple choice more than most AP exams: 80 questions make up 60% of the score.[1]
| Part | Questions / points | Time | Share of score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple choice | 80 questions | 1 h 30 min | 60% |
| Design an investigation | 10 points | 1 h 10 min for all three | ≈13.3% |
| Analyze and interpret quantitative data | 10 points | ≈13.3% | |
| Analyze a problem with calculations | 10 points | ≈13.3% |
Each of the three free-response questions is worth 10 points: designing an investigation, analyzing and interpreting quantitative data, and solving an environmental problem with calculations. In 2025 students averaged 5.35, 4.34 and 4.47.[5][4]
APES score distribution
In 2026, 69% of APES students scored 3 or higher and 13% earned a 5.[2] In 2025 the figures were 69.2% and 12.6%, from 245,371 students with a mean score of 3.06.[3]
| AP score | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 13% | 12.6% |
| 4 | 29% | 27.8% |
| 3 | 27% | 28.8% |
| 2 | 15% | 15% |
| 1 | 16% | 15.8% |
How this APES score estimate works
The 1–5 uses the share of the composite each score needed on College Board’s 2008 APES chart, the last one released.[8] See where the cut points come from.
| AP score | At least |
|---|---|
| 5 | 71.3% |
| 4 | 58% |
| 3 | 50% |
| 2 | 41.3% |
Example
65% of the multiple choice plus the 2025 average free-response scores gives 56.3%: an estimated 3.
Each multiple-choice question is worth 0.75% of the exam and each free-response point about 1.3%. The last published APES chart (2008) needed half of the composite for a 3.
Other AP score calculators
Taking more than one exam? Try the AP Bio score calculator, AP Human Geography score calculator or AP Stats score calculator. Every calculator uses that exam’s own section weights.
Frequently asked questions
How is the APES exam weighted?
Multiple choice is 60% (80 questions) and free response 40% (three 10-point questions).
Is there math on the APES exam?
Yes. One of the three free-response questions asks you to analyze an environmental problem using calculations.
What percent get a 5 on APES?
13% in 2026; 69% scored 3 or higher.
Sources
- AP Environmental Science: Assessment
- 2026 AP Score Distributions
- Student Score Distributions, AP Exams, May 2025
- AP Environmental Science Course and Exam Description
- AP Scoring Statistics, 2025 Free-Response Questions (one file per exam)
- 2027 AP Exam Dates
- AP Calendar (score release and deadlines)
- APES scoring worksheet for the 2008 Released Exam (composite → AP score chart)