Getting through college and obtaining a good degree is not as easy as it seems.
Many students want to feel that college experience while in high school, so they take AP courses to prepare for college and earn college credit. Now, what does AP stand for in school?
What does AP Stand For in School?
AP stands for “Advanced Placement”. The name implies that junior high school students take college coursework while still in high school to prepare them for college studies.
The College Board decides on the AP courses and prepares an exam every year (May) to evaluate the students after passing through the studies.
If the student is homeschooled, mostly in the United States and Canada, he/she can still participate in the AP exam; this implies that the exam is not study or school-dependent.
Students who perform exceptionally well in the exam earn college credits and boost the college application process.
How About AP Exam?
The college board handles both the exam and the AP courses. AP courses are free to attend, but the exam is not free. It costs about $94 to take the exam.
The fee attached to the exam shows the exam’s quality and helps create awareness for the exam. Students who can’t afford the fee can receive payment from the state or federal funds to help foster the country’s growth of education.
How are AP Exams scored?
The grading system of the AP exam differs from the regular style of High School. Students are scored on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest grade (representing “A” in college) followed by 4,3,2 and 1 being the lowest.
Most colleges accept a score of 3 and above, while some prefer 4 and 5 score values. The scores are sent to the designated college or withheld by the student if he/she states otherwise.
Pros of AP courses/exams:
1. College Credits:
A high AP score can gain you college credits that will help you gain admission quickly. The credit creates a faster graduation process as you are already familiar with some college subjects.
Harvard University gives you access to Advanced Standing if you have fully completed the AP courses and performed exceptionally well in the exam.
On the other hand, some schools offer college credit in the form of reduced assignments or discounts on college fees.
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2. College Readiness:Â
Taking AP courses indicates that you are ready for college and all it entails.
For instance, if admission officers look into your transcript and see that you took AP courses with a “5” as an AP score, you will have higher admission chances.
This is because most colleges need students with the zeal and the readiness to study and perform well through their studies.
3. Passion for Study:
There is a passion that comes from studying what you love. Let’s assume you love computer science and would love to further in the field; AP computer science will help you focus more on your passion.
Other courses exist within the existing AP courses to select and further your studies.
What does AP stand for in school?
Cons of AP courses:
1. Workload:
The addition of high school coursework and AP coursework isn’t easy at all.
The workload associated with it makes some students decline in high school grades because they want to get a high AP score after the annual exam in May.
2. Poor Extracurricular life:Â
Since you have a lot of workload, it can affect your extracurricular lifestyle. You might not have time to meet with your friends, hang out, or even drink if you wish.
The new advancement in college admission requires a 360-degree student who is good academically, socially, and otherwise.
Read this: Sophomore Year? What does it mean?
Subjects covered in AP courses:
There are over 30 subjects featured in the AP courses within a seven-subject area. The areas include:
- AP Capstone,
- Arts,
- English,
- AP History & Social Science,
- Math & Computer Science,
- AP Sciences
- World Languages & Cultures
1. AP Capstone:
A two-year program focusing on independent research, collaborative teamwork, and communication skills. Comprises two courses: AP Seminar and AP Research.
2. Arts:
Encompasses courses like AP Art and Design and AP Music Theory. Focuses on fostering students’ creative abilities through studio practice and theoretical understanding.
3. English:
Courses like AP English Language and AP English Literature enhance analytical reading, critical thinking, and refined writing skills through literature and composition studies.
4. AP History & Social Science:
Covers subjects such as AP World History and AP U.S. Government. Explores historical events, social dynamics, and governmental structures.
5. Math & Computer Science:
Includes AP Calculus and AP Computer Science. Centers on developing advanced mathematical understanding and computational problem-solving skills.
6. AP Sciences:
Offers courses like AP Biology and AP Chemistry. Promotes in-depth knowledge and hands-on laboratory experience in various scientific disciplines.
7. World Languages & Cultures:
Courses such as AP Spanish and AP Chinese. Emphasizes language proficiency and cultural understanding of a range of global languages.
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FAQs on “What does AP stand for in School?”
AP stands for Advanced Placement. It refers to a series of courses and exams developed by the College Board, offering college-level curriculum and assessments to high school students.
AP courses allow students to tackle college-level material while still in high school. Earning a high score on an AP exam can lead to college credit or advanced standing in college courses, potentially saving time and money.
Yes, AP courses are designed to be more rigorous than standard high school courses, reflecting the complexity and depth of college-level academics.
Many colleges view the successful completion of AP courses as an indicator of a student’s ability to handle challenging coursework, which can enhance a student’s college application.
Final tips:
Students with high AP scores have a higher chance of getting into college if they have good ACT and SAT scores.
Like the SAT exam, the AP exams are strict with standards from the head of experts (College Board), and any form is malpractice creates a disqualification for the student in question. So, do well to prepare for the exam to get an extraordinary score.
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