The College Board’s AP Precalculus program has taken the nation by storm. Since its rollout in fall 2023, it has become the fastest‑growing AP course in the U.S., with student registrations jumping from 184,000 in May 2024 to over 247,000 in May 2025. Along the way, pass rates have climbed from 76% to 81% year-over-year, according to Education Week.
Why the Surge?
The surge in AP Precalculus enrollment stems from its ability to expand equity in STEM and open new doors for students who might otherwise miss out on advanced math opportunities. Compared to AP Calculus and AP Statistics, AP Precalculus has engaged a higher share of Black and Hispanic students, 8% and 23% of 2024 exam takers, respectively, according to Education Week. By creating a pathway for students who stop after Algebra II to access AP-level math, the course removes a key barrier that has historically limited participation. Rising passing rates further fuel its growth, as more students see the value of earning precalculus college credit, saving tuition costs, building confidence, and easing their transition into higher education.
Alabama’s Momentum
- In spring 2024, 27,996 Alabama students took at least one AP exam—a statewide record. They sat for 52,361 exams total, and earned 28,813 qualifying scores (3 or higher), a five‑point jump in pass rate, topping previous records.
- In 2024, the inaugural year of the AP PreCalculus course and exam, 3,605 Alabama students sat for the exam and earned 2,181 qualifying scores. Alabama ranked in the top ten states in the nation for AP PreCalculus participation in its inaugural year. The preliminary data from the College Board reveal that 3,663 Alabama students took the PreCalculus exam in spring 2025, with 2,562 earning a qualifying score for a 70% pass rate.
A+ College Ready began preparing curricular materials, training, and support for Alabama AP PreCalculus teachers and students after the course was released. This work was led by the AP Math Content Director, Kitty Morgan. She says, “AP Precalculus is a game-changer for so many students, especially those who might not have seen themselves as ‘math people’ before. Many schools have been teaching Precalculus with no college credit available. With the new AP Precalculus, we have found that more students from diverse backgrounds can now experience a rigorous math course in high school and earn credit for a foundational college math course. The success in AP Precalculus can greatly boost students’ belief in their ability to tackle other STEM courses or math-heavy career paths.”
- Morgan County began offering AP Precalculus in 2023–24 with Melia Humphries, an A+ College Ready math consultant, teaching the course. Fourteen of her students took the exam (46% passed), and by 2024–2025, 57 students took the exam, with 69% achieving passing scores.
A+ College Ready Progress
- Additional ALSDE Support
The Alabama State Department of Education has provided AP PreCalculus teachers with free training and full funding for the AP PreCalculus exam for all Alabama students, saving Alabama families $99 per AP exam! This support has contributed to the aggressive growth in AP PreCalculus in Alabama.
- Launch and Enrollment Growth
Introduced in fall 2023, AP Precalculus enrollment in A+ College Program schools and ITIP teacher classrooms has grown from 722 in 2024 to 896 in 2025. Students in these courses earned 379 and 536 qualifying scores, respectively. - Impact on College Pathways
Many college students who drop out before their sophomore year often report struggles with passing the required College Math course. A qualifying score in AP PreCalculus will remove this barrier.
What This Trend Means for K‑12 Math and Beyond
- AP Precalculus raises the bar for math pathways
Educators across the country report that AP Precalculus fills a gap and raises instructional standards for Algebra 2 and Geometry alike. Schools report that AP Precalculus has led them to rethink pacing, depth, and pedagogy in earlier math courses, uplifting rigor across the board. - Equity in access
The AP PreCalculus data shows tremendous gains in participation and success for Black, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged students, earning qualifying AP scores up to 50% increases in pass rates for these groups from 2023 to 2024. - Financial and academic leverage
College credit via AP, including Precalculus, saves families’ tuition. In Alabama’s case, the 2024 qualifying scores earned by Alabama students represent over $43 million in potential tuition savings.
Key Takeaways
AP Precalculus is now the fastest-growing AP course nationwide, opening doors for students who may not be ready for Calculus but still want access to advanced math. In Alabama, AP participation and pass rates reached new highs in 2025, reflecting the success of initiatives like A+ College Ready. Local adoption, such as in Morgan County and within the A+ College Ready program, has shown signs of rising student enrollment and improved outcomes. These trends prove that AP Precalculus can scale quickly and effectively when the proper support is in place. More importantly, it’s creating equity and cost savings gains, with more students, including a broader range of learners, thriving in advanced math. Beyond the course itself, AP Precalculus has the potential to elevate entire mathematics pathways by encouraging stronger instruction in Algebra II and geometry and reinforcing a more cohesive high school math experience. Aligning with national trends, leveraging state momentum, and fueling local growth is helping lead a shift in K‑12 mathematics, making AP-level success practical and possible for many more students.
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