Advanced Placement Courses
Information courtesy of AES (www.AESmentor.org)

High school seniors planning on attending a postsecondary institution after graduation have the option of taking Advanced Placement (AP) courses and exams. AP courses take a more in-depth, theory-based approach to subjects than general-study courses. AP courses may qualify you for exemption from taking entry-level, required courses during your freshman college year if exam requirements are met. AP courses are offered in most subjects.

Students interested in taking AP courses should contact the schools they are planning to attend to find out if they accept AP courses. Not all colleges accept AP credit, and those that do differ from institution to institution as to what proficiency level of exam score they require for passage. 

If your school accepts AP credit courses, the next step is to contact your school 
counselor indicating your interest. Large to medium high schools typically don’t have a problem with enough students being interested in a particular course to offer it. Smaller high schools find it difficult, if not impossible, to offer AP courses when only two or three students express an interest. If your high school cannot offer an AP course and, for example, you have taken and passed the highest level math class offered, you may want to contact a local community college about applying to take a math class at the college level while still in high school.

The benefit of “testing out” of some required courses is your college course schedule will open up, allowing you to take classes with a particular interest to you or classes more directly related to your major.

There is, however, a lurking danger for transfer students who have taken, passed, and applied an AP course to their college requirements. As you prepare to transfer colleges, your transcripts will reflect any AP credit you have qualified for. If you are transferring to a college that does not accept an AP course, you may find yourself taking that English 101 course that you “tested out” of as a freshman.