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- The number of students in Mississippi taking AP courses and passing the associated exams has doubled overall since 2013.
More of Mississippi’s public school students are taking advantage of advanced placement courses, which education leaders say helps them not only prepare for college but provides necessary college credit.
All public schools in the state are required to offer AP courses. The courses provide students who earn a three or higher on the AP exam with college credit that can be referred to a university or community college.
The Mississippi Department of Education stated Monday that the number of students taking AP exams increased by 16.2% during the 2025-26 school year when compared to the year prior. Passing scores on those exams increased by 12.6%.
The number of students in Mississippi taking AP courses and passing the associated exams has doubled overall since 2013.
“I would like to congratulate the students, parents and teachers who worked hard to be approved for advance placement,” House Education Committee Chair Rob Roberson (R) told Magnolia Tribune. “They deserve all the credit for this. I look forward to the day that we need more teachers for advanced placement and it’s the norm not the exception.”
The Department of Education reported that 13,233 public school students in the state were administered close to 19,000 AP exams during the 2025-26 school year, of which 10,305 earned a qualifying score.
Thirty-six other states in the nation have a statewide AP credit policy. Students who perform well can save money on their higher education as AP courses are available in the subject areas of English Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.
Offering accelerated courses such as AP classes plays into accountability scores the Mississippi Department of Education assigns to districts and schools. Districts can also receive funding to help cover the cost of AP exams taken by low-income students.
