North Carolina high school students participating in college-level Advanced Placement courses have set new records during the 2023-24 academic year. The new numbers mark a rebound from the setbacks experienced during the pandemic.
The latest data from the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and the College Board reveals that over 155,000 AP exams were administered, with 65% of these exams resulting in a proficient score of three or higher. This surpasses both the previous year’s state average of 59% and meets the national average of 65%.
Participation in AP courses has seen a notable surge, with 8,808 more students undertaking at least one AP exam in 2023-24 compared to the previous year. This increase translates to approximately 19,000 additional exams being taken, bringing the total number of AP examinees to 84,372 — the highest in the past decade.

In a statement, state superintendent of public instruction Catherine Truitt praised the positive numbers. “To outperform the nation is a tremendous accomplishment,” Truitt stated. She emphasized the importance of increasing access to AP exams as a means to prepare students for their future endeavors, crediting the General Assembly for providing the necessary funding to expand access during the 2023-24 school year.
The pandemic had a significant impact on AP participation and performance, with participation dropping noticeably during the 2020-21 academic year. But the recovery in the following years has been robust. In 2021-22, the number of students taking AP exams rose by over 11%, outpacing the national increase of nearly 8%. This upward trend has continued into 2023-24, with overall improvements in scores and participation.
Notably, NC students have shown gains across racial and ethnic lines. The number of AP exams taken by black students increased by 19%, while Hispanic or Latino students saw a 21% increase. Furthermore, the number of proficient scores — three or higher — for black students increased by 45%, and Hispanic or Latino students showed a 37% increase, both exceeding national averages.

“Expanded access to AP exams is an important step in helping students prepare for the postsecondary plan of their choice,” said Dr. Michael Maher, deputy state superintendent of standards, accountability, and research for DPI, in a statement.