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AP® Comparative Government Score Calculator 2026

Last Updated: March 28, 2026

The AP Comparative Government and Politics exam consists of two sections: multiple choice and free response. The exam is scored on a scale of 1 - 5, with a 5 being the highest possible score.

The scores in this calculator are estimates based on previous scoring curves. The actual scoring curve may vary year to year.

Instructions

Enter your scores for each section using the sliders below to calculate your estimated AP score.


Section I: Multiple Choice

/55

Section II: Free Response

Concept Application

/5

Quantitative Analysis

/5

Comparative Analysis

/5

Argument Essay

/5

PREDICTED AP® SCORE

0 | Score range: 1 - 5


SECTION SCORES

Multiple Choice Score

0 / 60


Free Response Score

0 / 60


Combined Composite Score

0 / 120

How Is The AP Comparative Government Exam Structured?

The AP Comparative Government and Politics exam consists of two main sections:

SectionQuestion TypeTimeQuestionsExam Weight
Section IMultiple Choice60 minutes55 questions50%
Section IIFree Response1 hour 30 minutes4 questions50%

Total exam time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Section Details

  • Section I: Multiple Choice
    • 40-44 individual questions
    • 3 sets of quantitative analysis questions (using graphs, charts, tables, etc.)
    • 2 sets of qualitative analysis questions (using text-based sources)
    • Covers six core countries: China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom
  • Section II: Free Response
    • Concept Application: Define/describe political concepts and explain/compare political systems
    • Quantitative Analysis: Analyze data and draw conclusions from visual representations
    • Comparative Analysis: Compare political concepts across different course countries
    • Argument Essay: Develop an argument using evidence from course countries

How Is The AP Comparative Government Exam Scored?

The AP Comparative Government exam weights both sections equally, for a composite out of 120.

Scoring Formula

  • Multiple Choice Score: Your raw score (out of 55) is scaled to 60 points: (correct answers / 55) × 60. No penalty for incorrect answers.
  • Free Response Score: Your total raw score across all 4 FRQ questions (total of 19 points) is scaled to 60 points: (FRQ total / 19) × 60.
  • Composite Score: Both scores are added for a composite out of 120.

Composite Score to AP Score Conversion

AP ScoreComposite Score RangeQualification
584–120Extremely Well Qualified
472–83Well Qualified
360–71Qualified
243–59Possibly Qualified
10–42No Recommendation

These cutoffs are estimates. View all AP exam score ranges on our AP Score Range page.

Score Distribution

AP Comparative Government has solid pass rates, with about 73% of students scoring a 3 or higher:

AP Comparative Government ScorePercentage of Students
516.0%
424.8%
332.1%
215.1%
111.9%

Curious how this compares to other AP exams? Check out our AP Tier List for a full ranking by difficulty and pass rate.

What Is A Good Score?

A score of 3 or higher is generally considered passing. A 4 or 5 is a strong score for college credit and admissions.

AP Comparative Government College Credit Policy

Many colleges grant credit for strong AP Comparative Government scores:

Institution TypeMinimum ScoreTypical Credit Granted
Ivy League / Top 205Placement (credit varies)
Selective Private Universities4 or 53 credits (Intro Comparative Politics)
Large Public Universities3, 4, or 53 credits (Intro Comparative Politics)
Community Colleges33 credits (Intro Comparative Politics)
  • Also check out AP US Government for a focused look at the American political system.
  • Always verify your specific school’s AP credit policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a penalty for guessing?

No. Answer every question — your score is based only on correct answers.

Which countries are covered on the exam?

The AP Comparative Government exam covers six countries: China, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

How accurate is this score calculator?

This calculator uses estimated cutoffs based on historical data. Actual cutoffs may vary slightly each year.

When is the AP Comparative Government exam?

The exam is typically in May. Check our AP Test Dates 2026 page for the exact date.

Related Resources

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