What Are AP Exams?: A Concise Introduction

You’ve probably heard about AP exams and wondered what they’re all about. Maybe you heard about how hard they are! If you are planning on going to college, you’ll definitely want to explore more about what AP exams are and why you should consider taking them. 

Let’s discuss AP exams and how you can use them to help your academic career.

What Are AP Exams?

AP exams are standardized tests that measure how well you have mastered the content and skills for specific AP subjects. Most AP courses are finished off with an exam at the end of the academic year. In the United States, the College Board administers the tests, which are designed to assess if students are ready for college-level studies. 

The exams are usually given over a two-week period each May. They cover a wide variety of topics from math and science to the humanities and the arts. Scoring well on your AP exams can earn you college credit or advanced placement in college courses.

What Does AP Stand For?

AP stands for Advanced Placement. It is a program the College Board created and endorsed for high school students. Students can choose from a variety of AP courses and exams. Earning a top score on AP exams can lead to college credits or advanced placement in college courses. The credits for AP classes are determined by each college individually. 

AP courses are meant to be very challenging. One goal is to help students develop critical and independent thinking skills. They are about the same difficulty as entry-level college courses. Students who do well on AP coursework and exams show that they are ready to take on more rigorous college-level courses. 

Advanced Placement means just what it says: getting top scores on AP exams can earn you advanced placement in the college you want to attend. When students show that they have mastered the content by performing well on AP exams, they can be awarded college credit or an exemption from having to take some introductory courses.

How Do AP Exams Work?

Advanced Placement exams are designed to assess how well high school students have mastered specific subjects. AP courses are college-level classes taken in the high school setting. Once students pass the course, they have the option of taking the relevant AP exam, which shows that they have understood and/or mastered the content. 

AP exams have a basic structure and are divided into two main sections: multiple choice and free response. Let’s take a look at some AP exam specifics.

• Multiple Choice. These questions are scored using computerized systems, and there are no penalties for wrong answers, just credit for correct ones.

• Free Response. This portion of the AP test includes questions in various formats. You may see essay questions, open-ended questions, or problem-solving exercises. These will be graded by college professors or AP teachers at an annual AP reading event.

• Timing. The format and timing of the exams vary by subject, but you can expect exams to last between 2 and 3 hours.

• Portfolio. There are a few AP courses that require you to submit a portfolio instead of taking a traditional exam, like AP Art & Design.

This may sound like an intimidating obstacle course, but if you do well in your corresponding AP classes, you shouldn’t have much trouble scoring high on your AP exams. 

Why Take AP Exams?

There are a lot of benefits for students who take AP exams. However, some students choose to take the courses in high school without taking the exam. AP courses will be on your high school transcript, but let’s take a look at just a few of the main reasons it is worth it to go ahead and take the AP exams corresponding to the courses you took.

1. Build Skills and Confidence.

When you take an AP class, you’ll develop skills you’re going to need for success in college and your career. The coursework will take a deeper dive into subjects you are interested in and help you learn more about your own creativity and problem-solving skills. When you pass AP classes, it’ll build your skills and confidence.

2. Stand out to universities and colleges.

By taking AP courses, you communicate that you are serious about getting a good education. You send a message to college entrance officials that you are willing to challenge yourself with rigorous courses. 85% of selective schools state that AP classes have a favorable impact on their admission decisions about students.

3. Academic success in college.

According to research, students who scored at least a 2 on AP exams are ready to tackle college-level work. Scoring a 3 or higher usually translates into success in college-level courses. Plus, the skills you develop when studying for AP courses and exams will help you develop the skills you’ll need for academic success.

4. Save time and money.

Scoring a 4 or 5 on AP exams can earn you college credit or advanced placement, which is the goal. Some universities allow students to skip introductory courses and dive right into deeper classes because they have demonstrated that they have mastered the content already. This means you’ll pay less for college by fulfilling graduation requirements early, saving you time and money.

What Subjects Are Covered?

Advanced Placement courses give high school students the opportunity to take college-level classes in different subjects. There are about 40 different classes for students to choose from. The main categories AP subjects fall into include:

• Arts

• English

• History and Social Sciences

• Math and Computer Science

• Sciences

• World Languages and Cultures

• Capstone (Research and Seminar)

When Are AP Exams Taken?

AP exams are taken during the first two weeks of May every year. The tests are divided into two sections, with a morning session beginning at 8 and the afternoon session starting at noon local time. If you cannot take the exam during the scheduled two weeks, there are late-testing dates available in the third week of May. 

Tests are administered at the high school where students take their AP courses. Homeschool students or students attending schools that do not administer the exams have to arrange to take them at a school that administers the tests.

How Are AP Exams Scored?

AP exams are scored on a 1 to 5 scale. The scoring process is different depending on the type of exam. Here is a brief breakdown of how AP exams are scored.

• Multiple Choice Section. Computers are used to score this portion of the exam. You will earn a point for each correct answer, and there is no penalty for wrong answers. It’s smart to answer every question, so you have a chance of scoring more points. You’ll be given a raw score for each correct answer.

• Free-response Section. AP teachers and college professors will grade your free-response answers during AP Reading. Each question has its own scoring rubric, which is usually 0 to 6 points, depending on the subject. The total number of points you earn is your raw score for free-response questions.

• Converting Raw Scores. Your two raw scores, taken from the multiple-choice and free-response sections, are combined into a composite score. The College Board uses a statistical weighting to ensure fair scoring for various exam versions. The final AP score of 1 to 5 is converted from the composite score.

How Much Do AP Exams Cost?

Most AP exams cost $99 each. This includes exams taken in the US, US territories, Canada, and DoDEA schools. The AP Seminar and AP Research exams cost $147 per exam, no matter where you take them. Taking exams outside the US, Canada, and US territories will cost $129 per test, except for AP Seminar and AP Research exams, which still cost $147.

There are additional fees if you order exams late or decide not to take an exam by the deadline. Reduced prices are available for students with significant financial need. Some states and districts may also provide extra funding, which saves eligible students some of the costs. Some schools have slightly higher fees so they can cover the costs of administering and proctoring the test. Here is a table that summarizes the cost of AP Exams.

What Are Some AP Alternatives?

What happens if you want to take AP courses and your school doesn’t offer Advanced Placement classes? You do have some other options that can show colleges you are dedicated to academic success. Some of them can potentially earn you college credit. Here are a few academic programs that offer college-level coursework.

• International Baccalaureate (IB). This is a globally recognized program that offers you a comprehensive, rigorous education. You can earn a full diploma (IBDP) or just take individual IB courses. Some universities accept IB scores for credit. 

• Dual or Concurrent Enrollment. You may be able to take college courses through a local college while still in high school. This allows you to earn both high school and college credits at the same time. The transfer of credits will depend on the college, so be sure to check with the schools you plan on attending later.

• Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE). This is a British-based program that is similar to IB, but a little more flexible. Most US colleges accept AICE for college credit, and some states will offer a scholarship for AICE diplomas.

• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). These exams let students test out of introductory college classes. CLEP is widely accepted by US colleges. It offers more flexible scheduling, and it’s a bit cheaper than paying for AP exams.

Do AP Scores Matter?

There are a couple of issues to think about when you are looking at the connection between AP scores and college admission. Do colleges even look at your AP exam scores when you make an application? And if they do look, do they really care about them? 

You don’t have to send your AP test scores to colleges when you apply; some schools provide a space on the application to self-report AP scores. Admissions committees will look at them if you put them on your application. If you are applying to more prestigious and competitive universities, your scores may be considered. They will want to know that you have challenged yourself academically. And a few schools do require AP classes for entry.

For other schools, your AP exam scores can work in your favor. They are not the only thing a college board will consider, but having solid AP scores can help strengthen your application and even lead to earning college credit. So, yes. They do matter, but they may carry more weight in some instances.

How Do I Prepare for AP Exams?

Getting ready for AP exams will require some planning, consistency, and using the best resources. Let’s take a look at a few actions you can take to get ready for your exams and feel confident on exam day.

1. Become familiar with the exam format. Different subjects have various formats, but most include multiple-choice questions and free-response sections. Learn about the time limits for each section and get used to the format and scoring guidelines. Consider taking a few mock exams to help you get comfortable with the format and testing process.

2. Become familiar with the course content. You will learn a lot of the content in your AP classes, but you’ll want to become familiar with the course content as it is being presented in the test format. Check out Save My Exams exam questions to become more familiar with how the questions will be asked and how you can maximize your score.

3. Create a personal study schedule. Get started early, about two to three months before your exam date. Make a schedule and break the time into manageable chunks. Here is an example:

• Weeks 1-4: Review your test content one unit at a time. Using revision notes can help you organize your topics. They also help you identify and fill in any knowledge gaps you may have.

• Weeks 5-6: Focus on practice questions and past papers. Make sure your practice sessions include valuable feedback. For example, Smart Mark provides instant feedback on exam answers. This helps you master the content faster. 

• Weeks 7-8: Take full-length practice exams to improve your test-taking skills and strategies.

Final Thoughts

AP or Advanced Placement exams are standardized tests administered by the College Board. They allow high school students the opportunity to show their college-preparedness in different subjects. 

Tests consist of multiple-choice and free-response questions and are scored on a 1 to 5 scale. Students who score well may be able to earn advanced placement or get college credit. AP courses help students develop study skills, boost their college applications, and prepare for academic success. 

Scoring well on AP exams can help strengthen your college application, especially at more competitive schools. Preparation is the best way to get ready for AP exams and achieve higher scores.

Boost Your AP Score With Save My Exams

Feeling stressed ahead of your exams? Join over 2 million students who use Save My Exams, the leading online revision platform. 

On average, students who use Save My Exams improve by two grades thanks to our comprehensive resources. From past papers and revision notes to exam-style questions tailored to your specific course, our revision tools help you to study smarter, not harder. 

Created by teachers and examiners who know exactly what you need to revise to achieve the best grades, our resources help students to save time and get straight to the content you need. 

Explore Our AP Revision Resources

References

AP at a Glance

About AP Scores – AP Students | College Board

What to Know About AP Exams – AP Students | College Board

AP®: A World-Class Academic Experience 

New Analyses Find Students Who Earn a 2 on an AP Exam Are Prepared for the Rigor of College Courses 

Benefits for students in the USA - Cambridge