Caveat 5: AP Tests:
There are two parts to the Advanced Placement (AP) world.
First:
- Students can choose from 30+ AP courses offered in high school. (but not all schools will offer all AP classes)
- Second: most high schools will “weight” AP class grades. IOW, if you get a “B” in an AP class, it will be treated as a “4” for GPA purposes. This “weighting” is how students can achieve a GPA higher than 4.0.
- Third: even though your high school weights your AP class grades, each college or university will have its own approach. They may “UN-weight” your AP or Honors grades.
- Fourth: regardless how your college or university treats your AP or honors classes—they WILL appreciate the fact that you took AP classes—so there is benefit.
Second:
- Separate and apart from the high school AP class, there is an option to take the formally administered AP exam. This exam is given by the same people who do the SAT exam. So for example, if you take AP US History, you will receive a grade for the course work at your high school. BUT you can also elect to take the AP exam (not required and totally separate from your high school)
- Benefit 1—taking the AP exam can get you college credit before you ever enter college. The AP test is scored 1 to 5. Schools will vary, but most will grant college credit for a “4” or a “5” and some will give credit for a “3”. So for every AP course you take in high school, you will have the option of also taking the AP exam and if you receive a “3” or higher on that exam, you could also get college credit.
- Benefit 2—it is nice to enter college with a few college credits under your belt. BUT it is also nice to save some money—each college course you “test out of” is money in your (or your parent’s) pocket that you save. This can be significant.
- Cost—taking the AP exam will cost roughly $65 per exam and the time it takes to prepare and take the exam. You can request a fee waiver at the SAT site.