AP exams are college-level tests administered by The College Board (makers of the SAT). The AP program is one of a few programs which enable high school students to study or test out of low-level university courses. Universities use students' AP scores for admission decisions (i.e., to identify exceptionally motivated and capable students), to help identify candidates for scholarships or honors programs, and to award course credit and determine level placement. As of 2015, the original 11 AP courses have grown to a list of 36 courses.
The College Board considers any AP examination score of 3 or higher to be a passing score. A given institution might insist on a passing score of 4 or 5 instead of 3 for some or all AP examinations, for example, or refuse to grant course credit for some or all AP subjects regardless of the student's test score.
The AP Grades that are reported to students, high schools, colleges, and universities in July are on AP's five-point scale:
5: Extremely well qualified 4: Well-qualified 3: Qualified 2: Possibly qualified 1: No recommendation
Current AP subjects:
Art History Biology Calculus (AB & BC) Chemistry Chinese Language and Culture Comparative Government & Politics Computer Science A Computer Science Principles English Language & Composition English Literature & Composition Environmental Science European History French Language and Culture German Language and Culture Human Geography Italian Language and Culture Japanese Language and Culture Latin Macroeconomics Microeconomics Music Theory Physics 1: Algebra-based Physics 2: Algebra-based Physics C: Mechanics Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Psychology Research (Second part of AP Capstone program) Seminar (First part of AP Capstone program) Spanish Language and Culture Spanish Literature and Culture Statistics Studio Art (2-D, 3-D, & Drawing) U.S. History U.S. Government & Politics World History
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