What AP Scores Do I Need to Get Into Cambridge?
If you’re a US high school student hoping to apply to the University of Cambridge, your AP scores are extremely important.
The short answer is:
Cambridge typically expects US applicants to have at least five AP scores of 5 in subjects relevant to the course they want to study.
And unlike Oxford, you cannot normally reduce the number of APs required by submitting a high SAT or ACT score instead.
How Many APs Do You Need for Cambridge?
For students applying with US qualifications, Cambridge states that suitable preparation would typically include:
- At least five AP Test scores of 5
- A high SAT or ACT score
- A high overall GPA
Importantly, Cambridge is referring to AP exam scores, not simply taking five AP classes.
You can find the full requirements on the University of Cambridge international entry requirements page.
Does a High SAT Score Mean I Can Take Fewer APs?
No.
This is an important distinction between Cambridge and Oxford.
Cambridge normally expects five AP scores of 5 alongside a high SAT or ACT score. The SAT or ACT does not replace some of the AP requirements.
Oxford is different. Depending on the course, Oxford allows US applicants to meet its entry requirements through different combinations of APs and SAT or ACT scores.
So if you have three or four AP 5s and an excellent SAT score, you may meet Oxford’s qualification requirements for some courses, but you should not assume that you also meet Cambridge’s requirements.
Do My AP Subjects Matter for Cambridge?
Absolutely.
Cambridge isn’t simply counting the number of APs you have. Your subjects should provide appropriate preparation for the course you want to study.
This is particularly important for courses with specific subject requirements.
For example, Cambridge strongly prefers AP Calculus BC where a course requires Mathematics and Further Mathematics at A level.
For courses requiring Physics, Cambridge prefers applicants to take both:
- AP Physics C: Mechanics
- AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
Humanities applicants should also think strategically about their AP choices. If you want to study a highly academic subject such as History, English or Classics, your transcript and AP profile should provide convincing evidence that you are prepared for intensive study in that area.
Can I Apply to Cambridge With a 4 on an AP Exam?
This is where it is important to distinguish between taking an AP exam and using that AP as one of the qualifications needed to meet Cambridge’s entry requirements.
Cambridge specifies AP scores of 5.
A score of 4 therefore cannot simply be counted as one of the five AP 5s Cambridge requires.
Having a 4 somewhere in your testing history does not automatically mean you cannot apply to Cambridge. However, you will still need the required five AP scores of 5 and should remember that Cambridge requires applicants to disclose all AP, SAT and ACT tests taken and scores achieved, including retakes.
What If My High School Doesn’t Offer Five APs?
This is particularly important for students attending rigorous US high schools that offer few APs, or have moved away from AP courses entirely.
Cambridge recognizes that students don’t necessarily have access to five AP courses at school. However, you do not have to complete an AP course to sit the corresponding AP exam.
In other words, a rigorous honors curriculum does not automatically replace Cambridge’s requirement for five AP scores of 5. Students may need to prepare independently for additional AP exams.
If your school doesn’t offer APs, investigate your options early rather than waiting until senior year.
For a broader look at universities offering alternatives to APs, read my guide, Do I Need APs to Apply to UK Universities?
My Advice for US Applicants
One of the biggest mistakes I see US students make is counting APs rather than planning them.
Having five AP 5s is not necessarily enough if you have chosen subjects that don’t provide the academic preparation Cambridge expects for your particular course.
If Cambridge is a serious possibility, I recommend working backwards.
First, decide which Cambridge course you are considering. Then look carefully at its subject requirements and Cambridge’s guidance for US applicants. Only then should you decide which AP exams you need.
This is particularly important for students considering STEM subjects. Finding out in 12th grade that Cambridge would have preferred Calculus BC rather than AB, or Physics C rather than Physics 1, can leave you with very little time to change your academic plan.
I also wouldn’t recommend taking as many APs as possible simply because Cambridge asks for five.
Five carefully chosen AP 5s that demonstrate excellent preparation for your intended subject are much more useful than accumulating APs without thinking about how they fit your course.
Are Five AP 5s Enough to Get Into Cambridge?
No, and this is probably the most important thing to understand.
Five AP 5s help you meet Cambridge’s academic qualification requirements. They do not make Cambridge a likely admission.
Cambridge is exceptionally competitive.
Successful applicants also need to demonstrate strong academic performance at school, excellent preparation for their chosen course, genuine intellectual engagement with their subject and, where applicable, strong performance in an admissions test and interview.
Think of five AP 5s as part of the starting point for a competitive Cambridge application, rather than the finish line.
Cambridge AP Requirements: The Bottom Line
For most US students applying with American qualifications:
- Cambridge typically expects at least five relevant AP scores of 5, alongside a high SAT or ACT score and a high GPA.
- A high SAT does not normally reduce the number of APs required.
- And don’t focus solely on reaching five. Which APs you take can be just as important as how many you take.
- If Cambridge is on your list, start planning your academic qualifications early, ideally well before senior year.
