AP
Changes to AP Courses and Exams in 2011-12
Visit AP in 2011-12 and Beyond to learn more about upcoming changes to AP French Language and Culture, AP German Language and Culture, and AP World History. Information on future years' AP science courses and exams is also available.
Administering AP Exams
AP Exams are rigorous, multiple-component tests that are administered at high schools each May. High school students can earn college credit, placement, or both for qualifying AP Exam grades. Each AP Exam has a corresponding AP course and provides a standardized measure of what students have learned in the AP classroom.
In May 2009, nearly 1.7 million high school students at over 17,000 schools worldwide took AP Exams. The majority of U.S. high schools currently participate in the AP Program, and over 90 percent of four-year U.S. colleges and universities grant credit or placement for qualifying AP Exam scores.
For each curious and motivated student in your school, there's bound to be an AP course that matches their unique interests. AP offers more than 30 courses in a wide variety of subject areas, including art, computer science, world languages, government and politics, and more. AP Exams are an essential part of the AP course experience, and help students:
- Stand out in the admissions process
- Earn academic scholarships and awards from colleges and universities
- Experience college-level academics now, while they're still in high school
- Save time and money once they get to college, providing them with more study options and allowing them to move directly into upper-level courses in their field of interest
- Earn AP Scholar Awards, an academic distinction granted each September by the College Board to students with exemplary AP Exam scores.
Participating in the AP Program
While there is no fee for participating in AP, there are several steps that a school needs to take before offering AP Exams, including obtaining a College Board school code and completing the AP Participation Form. If your school has never offered AP before, visit Offering AP Courses and Exams for more information.
Follow the links below to learn more about the exams, how to administer them, and how to prepare your students:
- About AP Exams: Find out what exams are offered, exam dates, fees, and how AP Exams are developed and scored.
- Coordinating AP Exams: Get an overview of the AP year, exam ordering deadlines, exam security, and resources designed to help AP Coordinators administer exams.
- On Exam Day: Find out what proctors will need to administer the exams, as well as what students should and shouldn't bring to the exam.
- Scores: This section will provide you with an overview of how your school receives AP scores, information about credit and placement policies, and other data available on AP Exams.
- Helping Students Prepare: Find out what tools are available for your students to prepare for exam day, and learn how to help homeschooled students participate in AP.