More Washington students are taking and passing Advanced Placement (AP) exams with a score of three or higher, according to a report released today by the College Board. That means more students are better prepared for college. And they’re saving money on college credits when they get there.

Participation
The College Board’s 10th annual “AP Report to the Nation” shows that 21,583 Washington high school graduates (34.1 percent) in the class of 2013 took at least one AP exam. That number represents an increase of 1,002 (4.9 percent) from 2012 and 11,895 (122.8 percent) from 2003.

Scores
As participation increased, so did the number of students passing the exams with scores that generally qualify them to receive college credit. In 2013, 20.9 percent of Washington’s graduating seniors scored a 3 or higher on at least one AP test. In 2012, that number was 20.0 percent; in 2003, 10.4 percent.

“I’m proud of the work our kids are doing,” State Superintendent Randy Dorn said. “More and more of them are choosing to take rigorous classes. And they’re doing well.”

Washington has increased the number of students scoring a 3 or higher by 10.5 percentage points since 2003. Washington ranks seventh among all states in terms of percentage points gained during that period. The national average was 7.9 percent.