What Is the AP Program?

The College Board's Advanced Placement Program (AP) test allows high school students to take college-level courses and exams and earn college credit or advanced placement.

Sixty percent of U.S. high schools currently participate in the AP Program. Many colleges and universities in the United States and other countries have an AP policy granting incoming students credit, advanced placement, or both, on the basis of their AP Exam grades. Many of these institutions grant up to a full year of college credit (sophomore standing) to students who earn a sufficient number of qualifying AP grades.

AP Courses

Thirty-seven AP courses in a wide variety of subject areas are currently available. Each AP course covers the material found in the corresponding college course. While course descriptions, published for each course, are a significant source of information, AP teachers ultimately have the flexibility to determine how they present the content.

AP Exams

Each AP course has a corresponding exam. Many schools expect that students who enroll in an AP course will go on to take the exam. Students are not required to take an AP course prior to taking an AP Exam.

For more information about the AP Program, teachers and administrators should visit apcentral.collegeboard.com. Students and parents should visit www.collegeboard.com/apstudents.