Score Correlations
The table below shows the number of students that participated in the correlation study, the section(s) of the PSAT/NMSQT that were used to predict performance, and the strength of the correlation between PSAT/NMSQT performance and AP performance for each AP Exam.
Note: In 2004, the Verbal section of the PSAT/NMSQT was renamed Critical Reading, which is designated as "CR" in the table below.
| AP Exam | Sample Size | PSAT/NMSQT Section Used | PSAT/NMSQT Correlation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art History | 16,055 | CR + W | .575 |
| Biology | 120,388 | CR + M | .656 |
| Calculus AB | 228,922 | Math | .530 |
| Calculus BC | 66,370 | Math | .484 |
| Chemistry | 76,704 | Math | .599 |
| Computer Science A | 16,020 | Math | .511 |
| Computer Science AB | 8,866 | Math | .454 |
| English Language | 188,200 | CR + W | .732 |
| English Literature | 324,151 | CR + W | .727 |
| Environmental Science | 35,679 | CR + M | .632 |
| European History | 47,027 | CR + M + W | .586 |
| French Literature | 2,500 | Writing | .499 |
| Government & Politics: Comparative |
14,759 | CR + M | .523 |
| Government & Politics: United States |
134,996 | CR + M + W | .622 |
| Human Geography | 4,600 | CR + M | .606 |
| Latin Literature | 4,161 | Writing | .479 |
| Latin: Vergil | 5,437 | Writing | .471 |
| Macroeconomics | 50,791 | CR + M | .566 |
| Microeconomics | 34,769 | CR + M | .549 |
| Music Theory | 8,382 | Math | .477 |
| Physics B | 51,915 | Math | .540 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 30,421 | Math | .572 |
| Physics C: Elec. & Mag. | 15,366 | Math | .455 |
| Psychology | 73,720 | CR + M + W | .624 |
| Spanish Literature | 9,250 | Writing | .411 |
| Statistics | 73,292 | CR + M | .617 |
| U.S. History | 231,889 | CR + M + W | .603 |
| World History | 7,990 | CR + M | .584 |