AP DRAWINGThe Portfolio

Portfolio Overview

In May, students submit actual works of art and digital images of works for their Drawing portfolios. These works should demonstrate artistic growth and development. For more in-depth information on course content and skills, download the AP Art and Design Course and Exam Description (CED). 

Encourage your students to visit the AP Drawing student page  for portfolio information and portfolio samples.

Portfolio Format

The AP Art and Design portfolios each consist of two sections: Sustained Investigation and Selected Works.

Sustained Investigation—Section 1

15 digital images; some may be details or process images | 60% of portfolio score
Students will submit images and writing to document their inquiry-guided investigation through practice, experimentation, and revision:

• A minimum of 15 digital images that include works of art and design and process documentation.
• Typed responses to prompts, providing information about the questions that guided their investigation and how they practiced, experimented, and revised, guided by their questions.

Selected Works—Section 2

5 actual works | 40% of portfolio score
Students will submit works of art and design and writing to demonstrate skillful synthesis of materials, processes, and ideas:

• 5 physical works or high-quality reproductions of physical works with written responses on paper identifying the materials, processes, and ideas used.
• Works may come from the Sustained Investigation section, but they do not have to.

Scoring Information

The portfolio sample packets below are aligned with the current  course and portfolio exam. The sample student art and writing collected here represent a range of media and processes, as well as a range of scores. Each sample is accompanied by detailed scoring commentary walking you through the scoring process and explaining how the rubrics were applied.

Past Sample Portfolios and Scoring Information