The Advanced Placement Program (AP) is a cooperative educational endeavor among secondary schools, colleges, universities, and Educational Testing Services (ETS). It gives high school students exposure to college-level material through involvement in an AP course and then gives them an opportunity to show what they have learned by taking an AP Exam. Colleges and universities are then able to grant credit, placement, or both to these students. A student who earns a grade of 3 or better on an AP Exam is generally considered qualified to receive credit for the equivalent course at one of the almost 3,000 colleges and universities that give credit for AP Exams. The student should contact the four-year institution he/she plans to attend to determine if the credit will transfer.
Current AP courses offered at high schools and available classes are listed in course catalogs. There is a fee to take the AP exam. Students interested in other AP courses should meet with their counselor for more information.