A larger percentage of Hall County students scored higher on Advanced Placement exams in 2015, and though Gainesville’s pass rates didn’t increase, more students in the city system are taking AP exams. Gainesville and Chestatee high schools earned the AP STEM Achievement designation for 2015. The designation is for schools with students testing in at least two AP math and two AP science courses and at least 40 percent of the exam scores were three or higher.