Score Correlations
The table below shows the number of students that participated in the study, the section(s) of the PSAT/NMSQT that were used to predict performance, and the correlation between PSAT/NMSQT performance and AP performance for each AP Exam. A correlation measures the strength and direction of the relationship between two variables, in this case, PSAT/NMSQT scores and AP exam scores. Correlation values range from -1 to +1 with absolute values of approximately 0.1 considered to represent a small relationship, absolute values of approximately 0.3 considered to represent a moderate relationship, and absolute values of 0.5 or higher considered to represent a strong relationship. A positive correlation, like those seen between PSAT/NMSQT scores and AP exam scores, indicates PSAT/NMSQT scores are useful for identifying students who are likely to do well in AP courses and exams.
AP Exam | Sample Size | PSAT/NMSQT Section Used | PSAT/NMSQT Correlation |
---|---|---|---|
Art History |
36,698 |
ERW |
.521 |
Biology |
343,360 |
ERW + M |
.752 |
Calculus AB |
480,485 |
Math |
.558 |
Chemistry |
221,688 |
ERW + M |
.655 |
Computer Science A |
85,611 |
ERW + M |
.603 |
Computer Science Principles |
102,407 |
ERW + M |
.654 |
English Language |
823,584 |
ERW |
.739 |
English Literature |
638,629 |
ERW |
.728 |
Environmental Science |
240,839 |
ERW + M |
.706 |
European History |
97,535 |
ERW + M |
.630 |
Government & Politics: |
36,346 |
ERW + M |
.589 |
Government & Politics: |
461,065 |
ERW + M |
.647 |
Human Geography |
76,080 |
ERW + M |
.623 |
Macroeconomics |
237,142 |
ERW + M |
.624 |
Microeconomics |
134,359 |
ERW + M |
.632 |
Music Theory |
25,549 |
ERW + M |
.542 |
Physics 1 |
238,540 |
ERW + M |
.647 |
Physics C: Elec. & Mag. |
42,468 |
ERW + M |
.474 |
Physics C: Mechanics |
95,021 |
ERW + M |
.586 |
Psychology |
426,236 |
ERW + M |
.636 |
Statistics |
342,715 |
ERW + M |
.697 |
U.S. History |
640,108 |
ERW + M |
.675 |
World History: Modern |
232,331 |
ERW + M |
.676 |