New Hampshire Ranks Second Nationally In AP Exam Success For Class of 2025

CONCORD, NH — New Hampshire public school graduates in the Class of 2025 have ranked second nationally for the percentage of Advanced Placement (AP) exams scoring three or higher.

This achievement highlights the state's educational commitment and student performance.

Approximately 77 percent of New Hampshire's recent graduates who took an AP exam earned a score of three, four, or five on at least one exam. This represents 2,832 students achieving qualifying scores. A total of 3,672 New Hampshire students in the Class of 2025 participated in at least one AP Exam. English Language and Composition was the most popular exam, followed by United States History.

"New Hampshire students continue to rise to the challenge of rigorous, college-level coursework," Caitlin Davis, the commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Education, said. "These results reflect the dedication of our students and the high expectations set by our educators."

Students in the Class of 2025 completed 10,293 AP exams, with 74.4 percent earning a score of 3 or higher. This percentage is the second highest in the nation. Vermont led the nation with 75.8 percent of its completed exams scoring a three or higher.

"The data are clear: more students in New Hampshire are stepping into college-level work, and more are proving they can succeed," Trevor Packer, the head of the Advanced Placement Program at College Board, said.

To support continued growth, the New Hampshire Department of Education (NHED) has introduced statewide AP professional learning events for coordinators and educators. The North Country AP Collaborative has also gained national attention for its regional model in delivering AP coursework to rural students. NHED continues to expand access and diversity in AP participation by encouraging schools to adopt AP Seminar and AP Precalculus. The state has reduced exam fees for AP Precalculus, AP Seminar, and AP Research by $25 for all students. Additionally, NHED provides funding for AP Exams for students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals. AP Seminar, a focus of NHED outreach last year, expanded from one participating school to seven statewide. AP participation among low-income students and students from diverse backgrounds continues to increase.

Nationally, more than 1.3 million public school students in the U.S. graduating class of 2025 took over 4.8 million AP exams. A score of three or higher on an AP exam can provide students with college credit, advanced placement in college courses, or both, potentially saving time and money.