Knowing an exam's scoring structure can help you identify sections where you can score well and areas that may be more challenging. This allows you to create a study plan that focuses on the content sections that address your specific strengths and weaknesses.
How Is the AP Macroeconomics Exam Scored?
The AP Macroeconomics exam has two sections: Section I comprises multiple-choice questions (MCQs), whereas Section II consists of free-response questions (FRQs). The MCQ section contains 60 questions, while the FRQ section has 3 questions, including 2 short FRQs.
Per the College Board®’s 2024 AP exam update, the composite score for the AP Macro exam was 90 points, with Section I carrying 66% and Section II carrying 33% of the total exam score. The table below outlines the number of questions and composite score for each section:
As mentioned earlier, the MCQ section is worth a total of 60 points. There are 60 total questions in the section, meaning each question is worth 1 point.
| Section | No. of Questions | Approx. Raw Score |
|---|---|---|
| Section I: MCQ | 60 | 60 |
| Section II: FRQ | 3 1 Long FRQ | 2 Short FRQs |
30 |
| Subtotal | 90 | |
Are students penalized for guessing on the AP Macroeconomics exam? No! Students are not penalized for guessing on any of the AP exams, so feel free to take a guess rather than leaving a question blank. There is at least a 25% chance that the answer choice you pick will be correct; that, in and of itself, can potentially add a few more points to your final AP Macroeconomics score.
Section I: Multiple-Choice Section
As mentioned earlier, the MCQ section is worth a total of 60 points. There are 60 total questions in the section, meaning each question is worth 1 point.
Section II: Free-Response Section
In Section II, the scoring distribution for the FRQs is complex. Per the data published by the College Board in 2024, AP Macro free-response questions are individually graded based on designated points outlined in the scoring guidelines specific to the AP Macro exam. The table below explains the allocation of points for each FRQ and their corresponding scores.
| Question no. | Points (P) | Multiplier (M) | Section II Composite Score = P * M |
|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1: Long | 10 | 1.5 | 15.00 |
| Question 2: Short | 5 | 1.5 | 7.50 |
| Question 3: Short | 5 | 1.5 | 7.50 |
| Composite Score | 30.00 | ||
As you can see from the table above, each FRQ is worth a specific number of points. The points you earn from each FRQ are multiplied by 1.5 to present your composite FRQ section score.
The College Board derives your final composite score by adding the scores you earned from Sections I and II. Your final composite score determines your AP score, a scaled number from 1 to 5. As of 2024, earning a composite score of 90 or higher on the AP Macro exam translates to a perfect 5! It’s important to note that only your AP score will appear on your AP score report.
As of now, the College Board has not released any AP Macro scoring worksheet for the 2025 exam. Therefore, the table and calculations provided may or may not apply to the upcoming AP Macro exam scoring criteria.
The numbers here can help you understand how the AP Macro exam scoring system might work.
AP Macroeconomics Scoring Table
Once recorded in the AP grading system, your AP Macro scores are then sent to the colleges you have selected for admission. If you want to send colleges your AP scores directly, we recommend visiting our AP Exam Scores page to learn how to do so.
While individual colleges may have specific AP score submission criteria, many colleges follow a standardized approach to converting your AP Macroeconomics score into the corresponding college grade. The table provided below shows the conversion of AP Macro scores into equivalent college grades:
| AP Exam Score | College Grade Equivalent | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | A+ or | Extremely well qualified |
| 4 | A-, B+, or B | Very well qualified |
| 3 | B-, C+, or C | Qualified |
| 2 | - | Possibly qualified |
| 1 | - | No recommendation |
Colleges generally require a minimum score of 3 or higher on the AP Macro exam to be considered for admissions, credits, and advanced placement. Nonetheless, you should always check for specific AP Macro scoring requirements with your desired colleges to ensure eligibility.
AP Macroeconomics Score Distribution
If you're getting ready for the AP Macro exam, it's a good idea to see how students have done in the past. By looking at AP Macroeconomics score distribution from previous years, you can get an idea of how challenging a course might be. It can also help you decide if you're ready to take another demanding class, especially if you already signed up for other AP courses. Let's take a look at how students performed on the AP Macroeconomics exam over the last three years:
| AP Score | % of Students 2024 | % of Students 2023 | % of Students 2022 | Avg. for three years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 20.7% | 17.1% | 16.4% | 18.1% |
| 4 | 20.7% | 22.9% | 20.0% | 21.2% |
| 3 | 23.8% | 24.7% | 15.4% | 21.3% |
| 2 | 20.8% | 21.6% | 15.1% | 19.1% |
| 1 | 14.1% | 13.7% | 33.1% | 20.3% |
| 3 & Above | 65.1% | 64.7% | 51.8% | 60.5% |
As you can see from the data above, getting a good score on the AP Macroeconomics exam has become harder in the past three years. In 2024, almost 6.12% more students scored a 5 compared to 2023. The AP Macro exam is tough, but with the right study tools, course instruction, and dedication, you can certainly score a 5.
At UWorld, we believe reviewing your course material regularly and taking practice tests will help you understand the important concepts. Ace the AP Macroeconomics exam with our comprehensive prep course, offering a detailed study guide and an extensive QBank of practice questions that mirror the real exam.
Scoring pattern for the 2024 AP Macroeconomics exam
Although, by looking at the AP Macroeconomics score distribution, you can understand how well you're likely to do on the exam, it's also important to know the test's scoring pattern. A scoring pattern demonstrates how students have performed in different sections of an exam, so you can gauge which sections are challenging and which are easier for students. This information can help you determine which content areas you need to focus on and which you may find easier to grasp.
| 2024 AP Macro Exam | 2023 AP Macro Exam | |
|---|---|---|
| Challenging Areas | Unit 4: Financial Sector The average correct responses on the MCQ section were around 8%. |
Unit 6: Open Economy - International Trade and Finance The average correct responses on the MCQ section were around 49%. |
| High Scoring Areas | Unit 1: Basic Economic Concepts 30% of students earned all available points for this unit on the MCQ section. |
Unit 2: Economic Indicators and the Business Cycle 25% of students scored 90% or higher points on the MCQ section. |
Minimum Score Requirements for College Credit
Many U.S. colleges award credit and advanced placement based on AP exam scores. With a score of 3 or higher, you can earn college credits and finish college faster. Depending on your college, a score of 3 or higher may allow you to skip the Macroeconomics course in your first semester and move on to more advanced classes. Some colleges even count a student's AP score as credits towards graduation.
It's important to understand that different colleges have different AP scoring requirements. Some colleges accept a score of 3, whereas others may require a 5. Some colleges may not give course credit for passing AP scores, but they may still place you in an advanced course. Please make sure to check the AP credit policies on the official website of your prospective colleges well in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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References
- AP Macroeconomics Course and Exam Description. (Fall 2022). apcentral.collegeboard.org. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-macroeconomics-course-and-exam-description.pdf
- AP Macroeconomics. (n.d.). apstudents.collegeboard.org. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-macroeconomics
- AP Macroeconomics. (n.d.). apstudents.collegeboard.org. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-macroeconomics/assessment
- Trevor Packer. (June 20, 2024). twitter.com. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://x.com/AP_Trevor/status/1803799949471076621
- About AP Scores. (n.d.). apstudents.collegeboard.org. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores#:~:text=AP%20Exams%20are%20scored%20on,scores%20of%203%20and%20above.
- 2024 AP Score Distributions. (2024). apstudents.collegeboard.org. Retrieved December 13, 2024 from https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores/score-distributions
- 2023 AP Score Distributions: AP Macroeconomics. (2023). apcentral.collegeboard.org. Retrieved December 13, 2024 from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-score-distributions-by-subject-2023.pdf
- 2022 AP Score Distributions: AP Macroeconomics. (2022). apcentral.collegeboard.org. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-score-distributions-by-subject-2022.pdf
- Chief Reader Report on Student Responses:2024 AP Macroeconomics Set 1 Free-Response Questions. (2024). apcentral.collegeboard.org. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap24-cr-report-macroeconomics-set-1.pdf
- Chief Reader Report on Student Responses:2024 AP Macroeconomics Set 2 Free-Response Questions. (2024). apcentral.collegeboard.org. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap24-cr-report-macroeconomics-set-2.pdf
- AP MacroeconomicsScoring Guidelines Set 1. (2024). apcentral.collegeboard.org. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap24-sg-macroeconomics-set-1.pdf
- AP MacroeconomicsScoring Guidelines Set 2. (2024). apcentral.collegeboard.org. Retrieved December 13, 2024, from https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap24-sg-macroeconomics-set-2.pdf
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