The AP Research scoring rubrics, FRQ by FRQ
AP Research is the second year of the AP Capstone program, following AP Seminar. Students conduct a year-long original research project of their own design on a topic of their choice, write a 4,000 to 5,000 word academic paper, and defend the paper in a public presentation with oral defense.
AP Research uses two rubric sets. The Academic Paper rubric is a HOLISTIC 1 to 5 scale, with each score level specifying performance across five attributes simultaneously (topic of inquiry, perspective, research method, conclusion, communication, citation). The Presentation and Oral Defense rubric is ANALYTIC, with 7 content areas scored independently for a total of 24 points.
Both rubrics are externally scored by trained AP readers. The Academic Paper is submitted by the AP submission deadline in late April. The presentation is scored live by a panel of three certified evaluators at the student's school. The two component scores are combined and scaled by the College Board to produce the 1 to 5 AP score.
The two AP Research rubrics
AP Research has two scored components. The Academic Paper (5,000 words, scored holistically on a 1 to 5 scale) is the year-long research artifact. The Presentation and Oral Defense (15 to 20 minutes plus questions, scored across 7 content areas for 24 points) is the public defense of the research.
Year-long original research project, written up as a 4,000 to 5,000 word academic paper. Holistic 1 to 5 scoring scale with five rows of attributes (topic, perspective, method, conclusion, communication, citation) that must all be met at the same level.
Public defense of the year-long research project. 15 to 20 minutes presentation followed by 3 oral defense questions. 7 scored content areas for 24 points total, including 4 presentation rows and 3 oral-defense rows.
How AP Research scores writing
The Academic Paper is scored holistically on a 1 to 5 scale where each score level requires meeting all five rows of attributes simultaneously. The Presentation and Oral Defense uses a 7-content-area analytic rubric where each row scores independently. The College Board explicitly notes that to receive the highest performance level on the presentation rubric, the student must also have achieved the preceding performance levels in that row.
A 4,000 to 5,000 word original research paper produced over the course of the AP Research year. Scored holistically on a 1 to 5 scale where each level (Report on Existing Knowledge, Simplistic Use of Method, Ineffectual Argument, Well-Supported Argument, Rich Analysis) specifies performance across five rows of attributes simultaneously.
15 to 20 minute presentation of the research, scored across 4 content areas (Research Design, Establish Argument, Reflect, Engage Audience). The oral defense follows with 3 questions, scored across 3 additional content areas (Inquiry Process Defense, Depth of Understanding Defense, Reflection Defense). Only the first 20 minutes of presentation and defense combined are scored.
Common questions about AP Research writing
How is AP Research scored?
What is the AP Research Academic Paper?
How is the AP Research Presentation scored?
What is the relationship between AP Seminar and AP Research?
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Score AP Research artifacts in EnlightenAI
Train EnlightenAI on the official AP Research rubrics and start scoring student paper drafts and presentation transcripts with consistent per-row feedback in a single class period.