AP Courses

Questions and Answers about AP Courses and Exams

 

What does AP mean?

  •         AP stands for Advanced Placement, and reflects the practice that US universities and colleges follow where students who earn excellent scores (usually 4 or 5) on the AP exams receive advanced placement in university and college courses.  The universities and colleges view AP exams as equivalent to university and college level courses.

 

What are AP courses and exams?

  •         There are 37 AP exams in several subject areas.
    • English (2) - English Language & Composition, English Literature
    • Math/IT(5) - Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Statistics, Computer Science A, Computer Science AB
    • Science (6) - Biology, Chemistry, Physics B, Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism, Physics C: Mechanics, Environmental Science
    • Social Science (9) - Human Geography, European History, World History, US History, US Government & Politics, Comparative Government & Politics, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, Psychology
    • Foreign Languages (10) - Chinese Language & Culture, French Language, French Literature, German Language, Italian Language & Culture, Japanese Language & Culture, Latin Literature, Latin:Vergil, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature.
    • Arts (5) - Art History, Studio Art 2D, Studio Art 3D, Studio Art Drawing, Music Theory

When are AP courses and exams?

  •         Students generally take an AP course in grade 11 or 12 for one school year.
  •         Exams are taken in the first two weeks of May, and last for 2 to 3 hours per subject.
  •         AP results are available in early July.

 

How are AP courses graded?

  •         Students receive two grades:  a course grade (school grade) assigned by their AP teacher, as well as an AP exam grade.
  •         Completed AP exams are sent to College Board for evaluation.

 

How are AP courses/teachers monitored?

  •         An official AP course/teacher is one whose curriculum has been approved by College Board as providing sufficient instruction to prepare students for the AP exams.

 

How do universities/colleges view AP courses/exams?

  •         Universities and colleges value AP exams as a very high standard for university entrance.  Students who take AP exams are considered to be excellent candidates for admission, especially since AP courses are above and beyond a normal high school program.
  •         Many universities worldwide recognize AP exams for admission and/or for advanced standing.  More detailed information can be found on the College Board website (AP Credit Policy, and AP International Recognition).

 

What AP courses are available at IAB?

  •         Classroom course - AP Chinese
  •         2009-2010 - AP Calculus AB will be offered as a classroom course
  •         Online courses - some of our 11th grade students are currently enrolled in - AP English Language and Composition, AP Biology
  •         Other online courses available - AP Art History, AP Computer Science, AP English Literature, AP Microeconomics, AP US Government and Politics, AP US History

 

Are AP courses available to all students at IAB?

  •         AP courses are available only to excellent students who are recommended by their teachers.
  •         AP courses are at a high level.  Students who have strong academic ability, are responsible and take initiative in their learning, and who have good organizational skills are more likely to succeed in an AP course than those who lack any of these qualities.

 

How much does it cost to take an AP course/exam at IAB?

  •         For AP courses that are taught by an IAB teacher, the course fee is included in IAB tuition fees.
  •         For online AP courses, one course is included in IAB tuition fees, and additional courses/materials are billed to the student.
  •         Each AP exam is $86 USD for May 2009, and is payable by the student.

How do students register for AP exams?

  •         Registration for AP exams takes place at IAB.  Students must request AP exams and pay the exam fee to the AP Coordinator by the end of February.

 

Any other questions?