Georgia ranks 15th in the nation for the percentage of students passing AP exams, according to data released by the College Board.

Georgia’s percentage of students scoring 3 or higher increased this year, with 23 percent of the class of 2017 scoring 3 or higher on at least one AP exam during high school – compared to 22.4 percent last year, and 22.8 percent nationally. Georgia is one of just 16 states to exceed the national average.

“We continue to hear loud and clear from Georgians that they have an expectation of opportunity for their students,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said. “These results show us yet again that it pays off for students when they have opportunities like AP. I commend every student and educator whose hard work has made Georgia’s stellar AP program what it is.”  

Participation also increased, rising from 40.3 percent in 2016 to 41.7 percent in 2017. This is the 12th-highest AP participation rate in the nation.

Since 2007, Georgia has seen an 8.1 percentage point increase in the percentage of graduates scoring 3 or higher on an AP exam. Participation has risen in that time from 27.8 percent to 41.7 percent.

Students have the opportunity to earn at least three college credits for each AP score of 3 or higher, and Georgia students recorded 103,081 of those scores in 2017. At an average college credit rate of $285.77 per credit hour, this represents a potential cost savings of $88,372,372 for Georgia’s students and families.

The percentage of Georgia test-takers using an AP exam fee reduction, which states look to as a marker of equitable participation for low-income students, remained steady at 32.7 percent. Eligibility for this fee reduction is based on the eligibility threshold for free and reduced-price lunch. Nationally, 30.3 percent of AP test-takers used an AP exam fee reduction.