What is the Advanced Placement program?

Advanced Placement (AP for short) provides students with the opportunity to try college work while in high school, giving students with the opportunity to learn valuable skills and study habits. Currently 60% of U.S. high schools participate in the AP program.

AP courses are more demanding than regular high school courses. They are similar to first year college courses. Students are asked to read and write more, as well as to criticially analyze and evaluate material.

Benefits of an AP Program

The Significance of AP

Subjects will be studied in greater depth.
Students will discover their strenghts and weaknesses.
Students may gain a clearer idea of what they want to do next.
Students will be preparing for college work.
Students will improve their chances of getting into a competitive college.
AP increases students' self esteem.
AP courses mirror college work.
AP courses are a good predictor of college success.
AP provides a good value for the money.

Sophomore Standing

At least 1,400 institutions in the United States alone grant a full year's credit to students with satisfactory grades on enough AP Exams. It's called "sophomore standing".

Scholar Awards

AP Scholar

Granted to students who receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.

AP Scholar with Honors

Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.24 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

AP Scholar with Distinction

Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

AP State Scholar

Granted to one male and one female student in each US state and the District of Columbia with grades of 3 or higher on the greatest number of AP exams, and then the highest average grade (at least 3.5) on all AP exams taken.

AP National Scholar

Granted to students in the US who receive an average grade of at least 4 on all AP Exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on eight or more of these exams.

AP Diploma

Awarded by AACPS to students who earna minimum of 5 AP credits in 4 different domains among:

Languages (English and foreign)
Social Studies
Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Computer Science and Fine Arts

To receive AACPS' AP Diploma, students must sit for a minimum of 5 AP exams and earn a 3.0 non-weighted GPA in those courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why should I take a more difficult course and risk getting a lower grade?

A: First of all, weighted grading offsets the risk of taking a more difficult course. Second the college admissions do recognize the significance of an AP course on a high school transcript.

Q: If a student doesn't get a good grade on an AP Exam, will it hurt his chances for college admission?

A: The student decides whether or not to send his scores to the college. If the student reports his AP grades, he is basically acknowledging that he has undertaken a rigorous course of study.

Q: Who receives a student's AP Grade Report?

A: AP Grade Reports are automatically sent to the student, the college (if designated on your answer sheet) and the high school.

Q: How can a student have his AP Grade Report sent to a college?

A: The fee for a transcript is $10. Send a written request to the AP Examination board.

Last modified: Wed, 03 Oct 2007 09:44:26 -0400

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