The lowest score on the 2026 exam is typically found in subjects with the highest number of participants, particularly in areas where the difficulty level is perceived as high or where there is a significant number of students who are underprepared. For instance, in the United States, subjects like Advanced Placement (AP) Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry often have the lowest scores due to their challenging nature and the fact that they are taken by a large and diverse student population.

The data supporting this trend comes from the College Board, which administers many of the AP exams in the U.S. In the 2025 AP exam results, for example, the average score in AP Calculus was a 2.1, with a distribution of scores ranging from 1 to 5, where 5 is the highest. This indicates that a significant portion of students scored at the lowest end of the scale. Similarly, in AP Physics, the average score was a 2.3, and in AP Chemistry, it was a 2.4. These scores reflect the difficulty of the content and the preparation levels of the students taking these exams.

The low scores in these subjects can be attributed to several factors. First, the content of these courses is highly theoretical and requires a strong foundation in mathematics and problem-solving skills. Second, the exams are designed to be rigorous and comprehensive, testing students on a wide range of topics. This can be overwhelming for students who are not adequately prepared. Additionally, the AP exams are taken by a diverse group of students, including those who are taking the exam for the first time and those who are taking it as a review for college-level coursework. This diversity in student backgrounds and preparation levels contributes to the variation in scores.

In conclusion, the lowest scores on the 2026 exam are often found in subjects like AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry, due to their challenging content, rigorous exam format, and diverse student population. The data from the College Board's 2025 AP exam results supports this trend, highlighting the need for targeted support and preparation strategies for students taking these exams.