Advanced Placement Programs & Testing

The Advanced Placement Program and Examinations provide students with the chance to earn college level course credit by taking specially designed approved courses and passing examinations at a certain level. Approximately 50% of high schools throughout the United States provide these courses and examination programs. At some schools, the courses and exams may not be referred to as AP courses, sometimes they are called "honors" programs or independent studies programs. (BE CAREFUL, some of these honors courses MAY NOT be AP approved. Check with the instructors.)

If you complete an Advanced Placement course and then pass the accompanying exam, colleges you want to attend may grant you credit for their equivalent college course. This can enable you to skip some 1st or 2nd year courses and allow you to get ahead in your college studies. In addition, if you are granted credit for a college level course, you may be saving a substantial amount of money by not having to pay for those units of credit. In some cases, colleges are willing to give up to a year's worth of college level credit if you have passed 3 or more Advanced Placement exams with high grades. Again, this is a wonderful way to save the cost of a semester or a years worth of college.

Questions to consider:

Who produces or provides the materials for the Advanced Placement Program?

Can taking Advanced Placement courses and exams help me be accepted at a college of my choice?

Do I have to take an AP course in order to be eligible to take an AP exam?

Where do I get more information about the AP courses and exams?

When can I take the AP exams and when are the scores reported to colleges?

How do I register for AP Examinations?

How much do the AP Examinations cost?

What curriculum areas are offered for examination by the AP program and how are the tests graded?

Who produces or provides the materials for the Advanced Placement Program?

Can taking Advanced Placement courses and exams help me be accepted at a college of my choice?

Grades earned in AP courses are frequently assigned more "weight" by many high schools as they figure out your GPA. For example, a "B" in an AP course can be counted as an "A" based on the greater challenge and rigor of the AP course. Many colleges take into consideration the challenges of taking AP courses and the difficulty of AP exams when reviewing your transcripts for admission. Obviously, this kind of effort on your part may influence the admissions committee to view your application in a positive way. HOWEVER, this does not necessarily mean that the college will decide to admit you based on this one factor alone, there are other things to consider too.

Do I have to take an AP course in order to be eligible to take an AP exam?

NO! However, if you are going to attempt one of the AP exams you had better follow the basic outlines designed to guide students in AP courses. You can get outlines form the AP national office address listed above. Be sure you are really ready to take one of the exams.

Where do I get more information about the AP courses and exams?

Your counselor and teachers will be able to provide you with specific advice about AP courses and exams that you may want to attempt. In addition, you can pick up a brochure called Advanced Placement Examinations Bulletin for Students at your counseling office.

When can I take the AP exams and when are the scores reported to colleges?

Usually, you will be taking the AP exams after completing the Advanced Placement or Honors courses that you are taking. This will probably be in your junior or senior year (although some students take the courses and exams as sophomores).

For the 2007 academic year, the AP exams will be given from May 1st to May 5th and from May 8th to May 12th. (AP exams are always offered in the first 2 full weeks in May.)

AP exam scores are sent in July to you, your high school and colleges you designate on your identification form at the time of the exam.

How do I register for AP Examinations?

Registration for these exams is usually handled by an on campus Honors or AP coordinator. They will schedule meetings to give you registration materials, bulletins and any other information you need. AP or Honors course teachers should also be available to help you register and get ready for these exams.

How much do the AP Examinations cost?

The fee charged for AP exams in 2007 is $83.00 dollars per exam. Do not send your fees to the College Entrance Examination Board, your school will collect all money. There are fee reduction programs available for those who can show financial need. Talk to your on campus Advanced Placement Coordinator.

What curriculum areas are offered for examination by the AP program and how are the tests graded?

A variety of academic areas are available for testing. A general listing follows. For a more detailed listing of examination options, check with your on campus AP coordinator.

Most colleges consider a minimum score of 3 on one of these exams as an acceptable level of achievement.