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Advanced Placement (AP)

What is Advanced Placement (AP)?

 

The Advanced Placement Program® (AP) enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. The program consists of college-level courses developed by the AP Program that high schools can choose to offer, and corresponding exams that are administered once a year.

  • AP at a Glance – Overview of the AP Program
  • College Board offers 38 AP courses in seven subject categories. See the AP Courses offered at Marble Falls High School: AP Courses at MFHS.
  • Each AP course is modeled on a comparable introductory college course in the subject. 
  • Each course culminates in a standardized college-level assessment, or AP Exam.
  • AP Exams are given in May each year.
  • Schools must be authorized by the AP Course Audit to offer approved AP courses and use the AP designation.

Colleges & Universities look at 2 things when they see “AP” on your transcript:

It’s not just about the GPA on your transcript; it’s about showing what you’ve accomplished in the course through the exam.

 

Benefits of taking AP Courses:

Build skills and confidence - Learn time management, skills, study skills, problem-solving skills, and access their creativity abilities

Get into college - Signals to colleges that they’re serious about their education and impacts favorably on admission decisions

Succeed in college - Research shows that students who receive a score of 2 on their AP Exams are ready for college work. Those who score a 3 or higher on AP Exams typically experience greater academic success in college and have higher graduation rates than their non-AP peers. 3 out of 4 AP students enrolled in a four-year college start school with some AP credit. (See New Analyses handout)

Save time and money in college - Most colleges and universities nationwide offer college credit, advanced placement, or both for qualifying AP Exam scores. This can mean:

Learn more about how AP benefits students

  • Challenge in AP Course(s)
  • AP Exam Score(s)
  • Fulfilling graduation requirements early
  • Being able to skip introductory courses or required general-education courses

 

Why take AP courses?