Does failing an AP exam benefit students?

The number of high school students taking an AP exam before they graduate is increasing. Last May's graduating class had twice as many students take an AP exam as the 2001 class did. However, the number of students failing is increasing as well (from 39 percent to 43 percent). In a report released by the College Board, they note that there are more 1s and 2s (failing grades) scored on the exams, but that the number of 3s, 4s and 5s (scores that would earn a student college credit) has increased so much so that it outweighs the increase in the failing scores.

The report also noted that the share who took at least one AP exam last year was a third larger than it was for the class of 2004, while the share who got a passing grade was only a quarter higher than in the class of 2004.  The College Board recognized the gap and said that students who got a 2 or higher were more likely to earn a bachelor's degree in 4 years than other students.


Are there any benefits for students who take an AP exam but do not receive a passing grade? Are students who are exposed to college-level work benefiting even if they fail their AP exam? If not, should educators take steps to ensure that students that will not pass do not take the exam? Could failing have an negative influence on the student? Will they think that they are not prepared for college or not doing college level work in that area and stop trying?

Many schools are increasing the number of AP courses that they offer so their students have a more rigorous curriculum and are more appealing to colleges. But in light of the increase in the percentage of students failing exams, should schools do more than just offer AP courses? Should they also make sure that teachers are delivering the material properly and that students who are enrolling in the courses are capable of doing well?

However, if it is true that students are benefiting no matter the score then I believe that schools need to start offering these courses to students who would not normally take them. AP courses are normally offered in higher SES schools and to middle and upper class students. The report mentions that schools have increased access to AP courses among traditionally underserved students and there is a table that shows the demographics of test takers is comparable to that of the nation. There is also a table in the appendix that shows the test score breakdown by test subject and race. I am eager to go over this data to see the differences in passing rate by race.

Does failing an AP exam benefit students?