From 2020 to 2025, the pass rate (score of 3 or higher) declined from 69.2% in 2020 to 59% in 2025, reflecting a gradual decrease in overall performance.
The percentage of students earning a 5 remained relatively low across all years, ranging from 10.0% to 16.5%, with the highest peak in 2020.
Mean scores dropped from 3.10 in 2020 to between 2.76 and 2.79 in the years that followed, indicating increased difficulty or performance challenges for many students.
AP Latin
Course Description
AP Latin is a college-level course that allows students to develop and showcase their skills in translating, analyzing, and interpreting Latin texts while exploring the history, values, and literature of ancient Rome. The course emphasizes close reading, literary analysis, and the development of a deep understanding of both linguistic structure and cultural context. Students engage with selections from Vergil’s Aeneid and Caesar’s Commentarii de Bello Gallico, building proficiency in translation and analytical writing throughout the year.
Key Components:
- Translation: Rendering Latin passages into accurate, literal English while preserving meaning and style
- Textual Analysis: Identifying literary devices, rhetorical techniques, and stylistic features used by authors
- Contextual Understanding: Demonstrating knowledge of Roman history, values, and themes through written argument and interpretation
AP Exam Details
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AP Latin does not have a traditional multiple-choice-only exam. Instead, students complete a paper-based exam in May, which is scored by the College Board and makes up 100% of the AP score. The exam includes:
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Translation: Students translate selected Latin passages from Vergil’s Aeneid and Caesar’s Commentarii de Bello Gallico into English, demonstrating accuracy, comprehension, and attention to detail.
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Short-Answer Questions: These require identification and explanation of literary, grammatical, and syntactical elements within specific lines of Latin text.
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Analytical Essays: Students write essays that analyze themes, literary devices, and character development across the texts, often comparing passages or authors.
The exam is evaluated for precision in translation, depth of literary analysis, and understanding of historical and cultural context in both the prose and poetry selections.
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Helpful Info
Magistra Solomon
College Board
AP Latin Score Distribution
AP Latin Forum
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Tips & Feedback
Whether you're struggling with translating a tricky line of Latin, analyzing literary devices in Vergil or Caesar, or managing your time during free-response questions, this is the place to get support. Share strategies for memorizing vocabulary and grammar, improving your essay writing, or approaching the multiple-choice section with confidence. Learn from others, offer your own insights, and strengthen both your understanding of the texts and your overall performance in the course.
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