OLYMPIA — The number of Washington state public school students taking Advanced Placement exams has more than doubled over the past decade.

According to The College Board, about 34 percent of students in the class of 2013 took at least one AP exam.

The number of students passing the tests has also grown. About 21 percent of the class of 2013 scored a 3 or higher on at least one of the college equivalency exams. That score would be high enough to earn college credit at many universities.

State education officials point out that the growth in Advanced Place test taking among different ethnic groups — including black, American Indian and Hispanic students — has grown much faster than the state average for all students. Passage rates also went up this year in most groups.