What is the difference between AP and other college-prep or honors courses?
Many schools have created valuable honors courses for their students, but AP courses are the only ones actually designed by teams of college professors, who work alongside secondary school teachers. Plus, college faculty participate in the scoring of the AP exam you'll take at the end of your course, comparing you to their own college students, verifying your mastery of the same level of curriculum.

What's the cost of taking an AP course?
The College Board, which develops AP courses and exams, is a non-profit association dedicated to helping students make the transition to college. Students do not pay a fee to take an AP course, but do pay an end-of-course AP exam fee, which the College Board uses to score the exams, report the student's grade results, offer teacher training, develop classroom resources, and so on. The College Board partners with states and the federal government to reduce and/or waive the exam fee for students from low-income households.

Can I earn college credit or placement just by taking the AP course?
Colleges and universities only give credit or placement for qualifying AP Exam grade, not AP course grades. Without a corresponding AP Exam grade, they can't verify that the AP courses you take are true college-level courses.

What can I do with college credit or placement?
Increase your options. College credit or placement can also allow you to move into upper-level courses sooner, pursue a double major or a combined B.A./M.A. program, and gain time to study and travel abroad.

Why should I take the AP Exam if I'm not looking to earn credit or placement?
Even if earning college credit or placement isn't your goal, you can still benefit from taking the AP Exams.

Stand out in the admissions process. Everyone wants to get into the college of their choice. Those that make it take the most challenging courses. The AP Exams provide colleges and universities with additional information about your ability to succeed in college-level study.

Earn academic scholarships or awards. Some of the most competitive scholarship awards consider your AP Exam grades. Many colleges also use AP Exam grades to place students into honors classes.

Experience a college-level test. The intensity of college exams catches far too many freshmen by surprise. Taking the AP Exams will put you a step ahead, and give you a clear understanding of what you need to succeed on a college exam.

Be a step ahead. If you decide to take the corresponding college course after taking the AP Exams, you'll have the tools to excel.

How are AP Exams graded?
Each AP Exam grade is a weighted combination of the student's score on the multiple-choice section and on the free-response section. The final grade is reported on a 5-point scale:
5 = extremely well qualified
4 = well qualified
3 = qualified
2 = possibly qualified
1 = no recommendation