The State AP Scholar is for one male and one female in each state with the best combo of number of AP tests taken & average score. There are always a few kids that go crazy with APs, so I can see a handful of kids taking 16 APs.
Our HS offers 22 AP courses. Eldest took five AP courses and five AP Tests (though for one AP test she did not take the course, another she took the course but not the test). DH laughed when the College Board sent her an AP Scholar with Distinction certificate - he thinks stuff like that should be reserved for truly exceptional students.
I think five APs is okay and probably the average for good students in our district. My 10th grader is taking one AP test this year and will take four next year. Probably will take another three or four senior year for a total of eight or nine tests, though she is more serious with academics than DD18.
