What Students Need to Know About Advanced Placement Exams

1. AP exams take place every May. Exams take place at high schools and exam centers only once a year in early May. Students will get more details from the guidance counseling office as far as testing requirements, locations, dates and times. Some high schools require students to take an AP class in order to take the AP exam.
2. Exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5. A 5 is the highest score a student can earn on an AP exam. An AP exam score indicates how qualified a student is for a college course in the same subject (which helps colleges decide whether to award college credit and/or course placement). Every college makes this decision differently.
3. Students can get college credit or placement for good AP scores. As mentioned, each college makes its own decisions about what scores receive credit or placement. Generally, students who earn a good score on an AP exam might be able to skip a required general education course in that subject and possibly graduate earlier than expected. Make sure to check the college website for AP class information.
4. AP scores shouldn’t hurt a student’s chances for admission. Colleges consider a wide range of factors when admitting students, including the strength of their high school curriculum. Taking AP exams shows colleges that a student is willing to work hard and is capable of completing college-level work. While taking AP classes should bolster the application, a low AP exam score might not affect an applicant’s admission prospects. However, with such strong competition in college admissions these days, students should strive to get the best score possible.  
5. AP scores used on college applications. Colleges and universities are moving back to requiring SAT and ACT scores for first-year applicants. Yale is requiring students from the class of 2025 to submit scores from one of the following: SAT, ACT, AP or International Baccalaureate (IB). With the option to submit AP test scores on their application, more students may begin to take AP classes. Other schools in the future might adopt a test score policy that includes AP test scores.

To learn more about AP scores, what they mean and how to use them, students should meet with the guidance counselor at school and visit www.collegeboard.org.

With AP testing only a few months away, students should start to prep for their upcoming tests. Since the exams cover full year’s course content, students will need a refresher on material they’ve learned in the first half of the year. 

Huntington has AP test prep programs that can help your student prepare for their specific exam.  We start with a full-length practice exam that will pinpoint your student’s strengths and weaknesses. We then tailor a personalized learning plan targeted to meet the student’s unique needs and develop the skills and strategies necessary to earn the highest AP score(s) possible.

Call 1-800 CAN LEARN today for more information.