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AP Statistics

What the AP Statistics exam covers, how it's scored, the nine units it's built on, the Investigative Task, and how to practice your way to a 5.

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AP Statistics is a college-level introductory statistics course and exam covering nine units — exploring data, sampling and experimentation, probability, and inference. The exam runs 3 hours: 40 multiple-choice questions (90 minutes) and 6 free-response questions (90 minutes), including a longer Investigative Task, scored from 1 to 5. A graphing calculator is allowed throughout. It's taken in May, and a 3 or higher is the common passing line — confirm your target college's credit policy.

AP Statistics in PrepScore

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Four connected tools follow the same 9 units and exam structure.

1–5The AP score scale; a 3 is the common "passing" line.
40 + 640 multiple-choice and 6 free-response questions.
3 hours90 minutes each section, calculator allowed.
9 unitsData, sampling, probability and inference.
What's on it

Two sections, nine units

The exam splits its weight between multiple choice and free response, and its questions are drawn from the nine units of the course.

Section I — Multiple choice

40 questions, 90 minutes.

Discrete questions across all four big themes — data, sampling and experiments, probability and inference. Reading graphs and outputs matters as much as recall. Worth about half your score.

Section II — Free response

6 questions, 90 minutes.

Five shorter questions plus a longer Investigative Task that carries extra weight. They reward clear communication, correct procedures and justified conclusions — the other half of your score.

Scoring

One 1–5 score.

The two sections combine into a single 1–5. A 3 is "qualified"; a 4 or 5 is strong. Credit and placement policies are set by each college — confirm yours.

Practice it, unit by unit.

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The nine units

What AP Statistics covers

  • Unit 1 — Exploring One-Variable Data
  • Unit 2 — Exploring Two-Variable Data
  • Unit 3 — Collecting Data
  • Unit 4 — Probability, Random Variables, and Probability Distributions
  • Unit 5 — Sampling Distributions
  • Unit 6 — Inference for Categorical Data: Proportions
  • Unit 7 — Inference for Quantitative Data: Means
  • Unit 8 — Inference for Categorical Data: Chi-Square
  • Unit 9 — Inference for Quantitative Data: Slopes

How to study for AP Statistics

  • Practice one unit at a time, then mix units like the exam does.
  • Drill the free-response — write conclusions in context, not just numbers.
  • Rehearse the Investigative Task: it rewards reasoning beyond the standard steps.
  • Know when each inference procedure applies, and check its conditions.
  • Sit timed sets to build pace across both sections.
FAQ

AP Statistics questions

What's on the AP Statistics exam?
Two sections in 3 hours. Section I is 40 multiple-choice questions (90 minutes). Section II is 6 free-response questions (90 minutes), five shorter questions plus a longer Investigative Task. Questions are drawn from the course's nine units on exploring data, sampling and experimentation, probability, and inference. A graphing calculator is allowed throughout, and formulas and tables are provided.
How is AP Statistics scored?
On the 1–5 AP scale. The multiple-choice section is worth about half and the free-response about half, combined into that single 1–5 score. Score distributions are approximate and vary by year — confirm current data on College Board.
What is the Investigative Task on AP Statistics?
It's the sixth and longest free-response question. It asks you to apply statistical reasoning to a less-familiar scenario, often extending an idea beyond the standard procedures, and it carries more weight than the other free-response questions. Confirm the current format on College Board.
What is a good AP Statistics score?
A 3 or higher is considered qualified and is the common passing line; a 4 or 5 is strong and earns credit more widely. Whether a score earns credit or placement depends on each college — confirm your target school's credit policy on its site.
When is the AP Statistics exam?
In May, on the College Board's fixed AP exam schedule. Confirm the current year's date on College Board.
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