There are certain examinations that give students the chance to tackle college-level work while they are still in high school and earn placement and college credit. Advanced Placement exams are one of them. These are extensive individualized exams offered by the college board in over 30 subjects, across 7 disciplines. The exams cover introductory college-level material and are generally considered difficult. They are scored on a scale of 1 to 5 and take place only once a year in May. You can find a full list of subjects offered on the official college board website. 

Benefits of the Advanced Placement Exam

AP exams are not required by all colleges but taking them helps with admissions as well as increases chances of scholarships. They give universities some idea about the applicant’s proficiency in a particular subject and helps them place students from different countries on the same scale. Interestingly, these exams also help applicants after they get accepted to college. Applicants may earn credit for these exams and even graduate early. AP exams are generally accepted for admission and college credit in universities/colleges in the US and Canada only. 

How are the AP exams scored?

The AP Grades that are reported to students, high schools, colleges, and universities in July are on AP’s five-point scale:

• 5: Extremely well qualified
• 4: Well-qualified
• 3: Qualified
• 2: Possibly qualified
• 1: No recommendation

A good score for the AP is a 5 on 5. If an applicant is taking the exam for multiple subjects, a 4/5 in some can work. There is no limit to how many APs an applicant can take but it is recommended to take it in at least 2 subjects. 

Advantages of the AP Exams:

1. To stand out to universities: APs shows that you’ve mastered university-level knowledge and skills while still in high school. Almost all universities in the US, and Canada, will recognize the applicant’s AP scores. 
2. Helps in getting non-conditional offers from universities in the UK: Some universities in the UK accept the AP exam scores and might offer you unconditional offers for admission.
3. To save money: Many universities give credit or advanced placement for qualifying AP Exam scores of 3 or higher. For example, if you get a score of 4 on the AP English Language and Composition Exam, then you may be eligible to skip your university’s English Language 101 course. The more classes you can skip with qualifying AP Exam scores, the more money you could save on tuition by graduating early.
4. To save time: An applicant may skip an introductory course by earning qualifying AP Exam scores. The applicant can then take another class instead that will count toward their degree. Applicants can use the time they save to take on a double major, an internship, or an on-campus job—or even graduate early.

How to register for the AP exam

The registration for the AP exams tends to open in the month of October, which is roughly 8 months before the dates of the exams. The centers for the AP exams are available in a number of major cities. 

Each AP Exam costs between Rs. 9,500 to Rs. 10,000, depending on the test center (subject to change). Some centers may also have additional surcharges.

Website to register: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/home

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