Louisiana ranks first among states in AP growth since 2019

Louisiana’s AP score rate has improved at more than twice the national rate of growth

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana has posted the largest increase of any state since 2019 in the share of Advanced Placement (AP®) Exams earning a qualifying score, according to new statewide data released by the College Board. Louisiana’s AP score rate has improved at more than twice the national rate of growth in that timespan and now sits just two points off the national average.

An AP Exam score of 3, 4, or 5 can qualify high school students for college credit at many colleges and universities.

“Louisiana is setting a higher bar for what it means to be ready after high school,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “This growth in performance shows that students can meet college-level expectations and begin their next steps before graduation. I’m grateful for the work of Louisiana high school students, teachers, counselors, and principals.”

The share of Louisiana AP Exams earning a qualifying score rose from 37.4 percent in 2019 to 69.1 percent in 2026, a gain of 31.7 percentage points. Louisiana continues to close in on the national average. In 2019, the share of Louisiana AP Exams earning a qualifying score trailed the national average by 20.5 percentage points. In 2026, the gap is only 2.2 points.

In 2019, students earned 11,118 qualifying scores. Louisiana public school students earned 21,383 qualifying scores on AP Exams in 2026.

“Louisiana teachers have sharpened their craft year after year, and these gains are a result of that dedicated focus,” said Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jenna Chiasson. “Every qualifying score is an opportunity for a student to earn college credit while in high school and graduate ready for what comes next.”

Louisiana's 2026 Advanced Placement results

Because students can take more than one AP Exam, results are reported both as the total number of qualifying scores and as the number of students who earned at least one qualifying score.

• Qualifying scores rose 8.8 percent. Louisiana students earned 21,383 qualifying scores in 2026, up from 19,653 in 2025.
• The share of AP Exams earning a qualifying score climbed 6.1 percentage points. In 2026, 69.1 percent earned a qualifying score, up from 63 percent in 2025.
• More students earned at least one qualifying score. A total of 13,244 students earned a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam, up 6.3 percent from 2025.
• Top scores grew fastest. AP Exams are scored from 1 to 5, with 5 the highest. Scores of 5 increased 22 percent to 3,992, while scores of 4 rose 12 percent to 8,410. Scores of 1 declined 30 percent to 3,018.

The College Board released 2026 AP data at the national and state levels. The Louisiana Department of Education will release AP results for each school system and school later this year.

About Advanced Placement

The Advanced Placement Program, administered by the College Board, gives high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses and exams before graduation. AP courses are offered in subjects including mathematics, science, English, social studies, world languages and the arts.