The advanced placement program (AP) allows high-school students to pursue university level courses. These courses are assessed through the AP Test, a series of examinations administered across 34 specialised subjects every year. These tests can be taken independently of the courses, and testing centres are available across the country, you can register easily online and the tests cost approximately USD 200 to take. Sign-ups for the AP Test are open from November to March, while the tests are conducted between May and June each year.
The AP Test is a popular choice for university applicants and valuable addition to any college application. Why? Simply put, a good AP score awards you real college credits and demonstrates you as a motivated and academically rigorous student. Additionally, many AP students begin college with a few credits under their belt already, and have the advantage of flexibility to explore more courses and make the most of their university experience.
The wide range of tests offered by AP, from Music Theory, to European History, to Japanese Language and Culture, means that no matter what your intended major, there’s likely going to be AP courses that fit your interests and make you a stand-out candidate in admissions offices.
We are happy to share our recipe for success when it comes to taking AP tests. Here are our recommendations for which tests you should take depending on your intended major or area of interest:
For Non-CS Engineering:
AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C
For CS Engineering
AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C, AP Computer Science
For Business:
AP Calculus BC, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics
For Economics:
AP Calculus BC, AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics
For Psychology:
AP Psychology, AP Statistics
You can register for AP tests by creating an account with College Board, the organisation that runs the Advanced Placement courses and tests. The link to create your account is here. You can select your nearest available test centre, and pay the registration fee directly to the centre, as per their dates and requirements. The College Board website provides a comprehensive guide for each of the examinations, including topics that will be covered, at what percentage that topic will be assessed in the exam, and the length and paper type of each test.
AP is a great option for academically driven students who know what they want, and want to get a headstart on their college career. College credits are an immense value-add, and getting to cover college level concepts before you begin your major gives you a strong foundation, and starts you off on the right foot as you move toward your future!
