AP Drawing
Course Description
AP Drawing is a college-level course that challenges students to develop a strong, personal voice in two-dimensional art through the focused practice of drawing. Students explore a wide range of mark-making techniques, materials, and conceptual approaches while refining their ability to communicate ideas visually. Using tools such as graphite, charcoal, ink, colored pencil, and mixed media, students engage with essential drawing concepts like composition, line quality, value, space, and surface texture. Throughout the course, students create a portfolio that demonstrates originality, technical skill, and thoughtful visual expression.
Key Components:
Sustained Investigation: A body of work exploring a central theme or question through drawing and mark-making
Selected Works: Five finished pieces that highlight mastery of drawing materials, techniques, and visual communication
Written Commentary: Insightful reflections on artistic choices, materials used, and the evolution of ideas throughout the creative process
AP Exam Details
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AP Drawing does not have a traditional written exam. Instead, students are assessed entirely through a digital portfolio, submitted to the College Board in May, which makes up 100% of the AP score. The portfolio includes:
Sustained Investigation: 15 digital images that document the development of a cohesive body of two-dimensional drawing work exploring a central idea, including both finished pieces and process images with written commentary.
Selected Works: 5 images of completed drawings that demonstrate mastery of drawing techniques, materials, and visual communication, accompanied by descriptions of materials used, processes followed, and conceptual intentions.
The portfolio is evaluated based on the quality of visual work, evidence of inquiry, experimentation, and revision, as well as how effectively students express and support their artistic intent.
Helpful Info
College Board
Camileon
AP Drawing Score Distribution
From 2020 to 2024, the pass rate (scores of 3 or higher) stayed consistently strong, ranging from 83.8% to 89.1%. In 2024, 15.1% of students earned a 5, 31.1% a 4, and 37.6% a 3, with a mean score of 3.42—reflecting a steady level of performance year over year.
Over that five-year span, 5s typically ranged from 14% to 16%, 4s gradually declined from about 40% to 31%, and 3s remained the most common score. Meanwhile, lower scores (2s and 1s) together made up between 11% and 16% of all submissions.
In 2025, performance remained consistent, with a slight uptick in top scores: 17% earned a 5, 32% a 4, and 36% a 3—resulting in an 85% pass rate. Scores of 2 (12%) and 1 (3%) indicate that AP Drawing continues to maintain a high overall success rate among students.
AP Drawing Drawing Forum
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Tips & Feedback
Share your best techniques, creative processes, and advice for succeeding in AP Drawing, or ask for feedback on your Sustained Investigation ideas, Selected Works, or compositions. This is the go-to spot for practical tips from fellow students and teachers to help you refine your drawing skills, develop your artistic voice, and build a strong, cohesive portfolio.
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