AP Statistics Exam information
What it is, what's tested, and how it's scored.
AP Statistics exam details
The AP Statistics exam evaluates students' knowledge of data collection, analysis, and modeling techniques taught in AP Statistics courses. The course and exam are designed to cover content most commonly taught in introductory college stats classes. AP Stats helps students build the skills and knowledge that form the basis of research, computer science, and advanced mathematical study.
Students who take AP Stats engage in intensive, undergraduate-level coursework, and a high score on the exam can count toward academic credit at many universities.
The AP Statistics exam is hosted by College Board and costs $99 to register. Participants have 3 hours to answer 42 multiple-choice questions, 4 free-response questions. The passing score is 3.
Time
3 hours
Format
42 multiple-choice questions
4 free-response questions
Exam fee
$99
Passing score
3
Details
The exam has two sections, each taking 1 hour and 30 minutes to complete. A 10-minute scheduled break is included between the two sections. The test is distributed in a digital format: both multiple-choice questions and free-response questions are completed in Bluebook, the College Board's testing application.
The test serves as the final examination for students enrolled in AP Statistics, and is taken either in school or at designated testing centers.
The AP Statistics course and exam cover the following topics:
Unit 1: Exploring One-Variable Data and Collecting Data
Unit 2: Probability, Random Variables, and Probability Distributions
Unit 3: Inference for Categorical Data: Proportions
Unit 4: Inference for Quantitative Data: Means
Unit 5: Regression Analysis
The course framework focuses on four key practices, highlighting the primary skills taught and assessed:
Practice 1 - Formulate Questions: Determine valid investigative questions.
Practice 2 - Collect Data: Identify information to answer a question, as well as the appropriate methods for gathering and representing data. Explain errors, inference, and null and alternative hypotheses.
Practice 3 - Analyze Data: Construct tabular and graphical representations of data and distributions, calculate summary statistics, and use appropriate inferential method results.
Practice 4 - Interpret Results: Describe and compare tabular representations of data and summary statistics. Justify claims based on statistical calculations, distributions, and calculated results.
The free-response section on the AP Statistics exam contains four distinct question types:
Question 1 is a multi-part question that primarily assesses Practices 1 and 2.
Question 2 is a multi-part question that primarily assesses Practices 3 and 4.
Question 3 focuses on inference, assessing the inference skills associated with Practices 2, 3, and 4.
Question 4 is a multi-part question that focuses on multiple course content areas and assesses Practices 2, 3, and 4.
Standardized curricula for all AP classes and exams are created and maintained by The College Board. Teachers are given leeway in terms of the order and scope of each unit taught.
College Board's AP Statistics exam summary
Multiple Choice
50% of exam
42 questions
Assesses students' understanding of major statistical concepts and definitions, including understanding variation and distribution (mean, median, mode, and spread), identifying patterns and uncertainty, and making data-based predictions and conclusions. Both standalone and question sets based on a specific prompt are included.
Free Response
50% of exam
4 questions
Contains 4 separate tasks: 1 multipart question on formulating research questions and data collection, 1 multipart question on analyzing data and interpreting results, 1 question focusing on inference, and a final question focusing on multiple course content areas and practices.
Achievable AP Statistics content outline
1
One-variable data
Covers analysis of categorical and quantitative variables. Introduces the normal distribution and its applications.
2
Two-variable data
Explores relationships between two variables, including categorical and quantitative types. Teaches concepts and tools like regression, correlation, outliers, and influential points.
3
Data collection
Focuses on methods of data collection, differences between observational studies and experiments, and rules for making valid generalizations.
4
Probability and random variables
Introduces probability concepts, including expected value, distributions (binomial, geometric), and cumulative probabilities.
5
Sampling distributions
Covers sampling methods and distributions of sample means and proportions. Includes simulations, the central limit theorem, and properties of estimators.
6
Categorical data
Explores confidence intervals and significance tests for proportions and differences in proportions.
7
Quantitative data
Focuses on inference for means, including t-distributions, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, paired data, and common testing errors.
8
Chi-square
Covers chi-square tests for goodness of fit, independence, and homogeneity.
9
Linear regression
Analyzes inference on regression slopes, including confidence intervals and hypothesis tests using sampling distributions.
AP Statistics exam: quick answers
- What is on the AP Statistics exam?
- The AP Statistics exam has 42 multiple-choice questions, 4 free-response questions, and candidates have 3 hours to complete it. The content outline on this page lists every tested topic with the number of questions and the percentage of the exam it accounts for.
- How long is the AP Statistics exam?
- Candidates have 3 hours for the AP Statistics exam, covering 42 multiple-choice questions, 4 free-response questions.
- What score do you need to pass the AP Statistics exam?
- The passing score for the AP Statistics exam is 3.
- How much does the AP Statistics exam cost?
- Registering for the AP Statistics exam costs $99, paid to College Board. Prep materials are a separate cost.
- Who administers the AP Statistics exam?
- The AP Statistics exam is administered by College Board, which sets the official content outline and scoring.
More questions about the exam and how to prepare for it? AP Statistics FAQ