Advanced placement tests, more commonly referred to as AP tests, are a great option for students who either want to get a jump-start on their college education or who are interested in developing a greater appeal for their college entrance applications. Students can select from more than 30 different exams that offer the opportunity to meet many of their associates' or bachelor's degree course requirements before they set foot on campus.
However, before a student signs up for one or more of these exams, it's important to know that these are college-level tests and that require a significant amount of studying and preparation.
Advanced Placement Exam Basics
Currently there are about 37 AP exams that can be taken to earn college credits. The exams are spread across 20 different academic subjects and vary from year to year. Some of the available AP exams include-
Art History
French Language
European History
French Literature
Psychology
Spanish Language
Biology
Spanish Literature
German Language
Calculus
Statistics
Chemistry
Studio Arts
Chinese Language and Culture
US Government and Politics
US History
Computer Science
Human Geography
World History
Japanese Language & Culture
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Latin Literature
English Language
English Literature
Physics
Environmental Science
Unlike other exams that give you a letter grade, advanced placement exams provide you with a numerical score between 1 and 5. A score of 3 is classified as "qualified" and is the lowest possible passing score. While 3 is a passing score, many colleges will require that you score a 4 (well qualified) or 5 (extremely well qualified) in order to earn college credit that will be transferable.
Using AP Exams for College Credit
Most students who take AP courses and exams are doing so to earn college credits. Generally, an AP exam will earn about 3 college credits that will be applied to student transcripts as a pass/fail entry. This means that they will not impact your student's college GPA.
Students who elect to use AP credits to jump-start a college degree program will need to talk with their college admissions counselors to make sure they understand the limits that the school has for transferred credits and AP credits. For example, some colleges set limits on how many AP credits they accept. Schools also may limit the AP scores that will qualify for college credit.
Using AP Exams for College Entrance Applications
In addition to earning college credit, AP exams can be used to improve the appeal of your child's college applications. College admission boards are interested in students who have the academic drive to succeed in college. Since AP exams are normally preceded by college-level AP courses, students who take AP courses and exams are demonstrating that they have what it takes to be successful in college.
These exams also help students whose high schools have limited course options to expand the quality of their college qualifications. For example, rural students who don't have access to calculus classes in high school can study independently and take the AP exam to demonstrate that they have mastered the material. Students looking for this independent study should check with area colleges, many of which offer summer classes for high school students.
Using AP Exams to Prepare for College
The final way that students can use AP exams is to help prepare themselves for college. To start with, these exams will teach students how to study for college-level courses. This is one of the most important skills that students can acquire before entering college.
Students will also learn how to write at a college level. AP exams will also help students to prepare for college by expanding their academic horizons. AP courses and exams provide the opportunity to study various college-level topics that might not be offered by local schools.
Advanced placements tests are a practical and inexpensive way to rack up college credits and to prepare for college while still in high school. These exams are a great option for gifted students, students who have limited course availability at their high schools and students who are home-schooled. Although they're a time-saving and money-saving tool, students should remember that AP exams are challenging and require a serious investment of study and effort.
To find out more about AP exams and courses, students should visit The College Board's AP Central site at http://apcentral.collegeboard.com.
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