The Advanced Placement Program ® and Pre-AP™

Prepare, Inspire, Connect It’s not just an Examination. It’s not just a Course. It’s an International Program. It’s not only Honors. It’s not only for College credit. It’s a College Class! What is the Advanced Placement Program ® ?

Prepare, Inspire, Connect Advanced Placement Program ® College-level classes Taught in high school To rigorous national collegiate standards Potentially earning college credit Taught by qualified prepared faculty School and programs audited nationally 34 courses offered in 19 subject areas In 2002, more than 900,000 students took 1.5 million AP ® Examinations

Prepare, Inspire, Connect Advanced Placement Program ® AP ® teachers use college-level materials and course descriptions developed by a committee of college faculty and AP teachers. AP Course Descriptions reflect courses taught in colleges and universities throughout the country. New yearly AP Audit of schools and courses will accredit program

Prepare, Inspire, Connect AP ® Examinations Administered in May Approximately three hours long Composed of multiple-choice and free-response questions Free-response questions graded by college professors and AP teachers in June AP Examination grades range from 1 to 5

Prepare, Inspire, Connect Students in the Advanced Placement Program ® All students who are willing to accept the challenge of a rigorous academic curriculum should be considered for admission to AP ® courses. The College Board encourages the elimination of barriers that restrict access to AP courses for students from ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the AP Program. Schools should make every effort to ensure that their AP classes reflect the diversity of their student populations.

Prepare, Inspire, Connect AP ® Examinations Interpretation of Grades 5 — Extremely Well Qualified 4 — Well Qualified 3 — Qualified 2 — Possibly Qualified 1 — No Recommendation

Prepare, Inspire, Connect Who Receives AP ® Exam Grades? AP Grade Reports are sent in July to students, high schools, and colleges designated by individual students. High school principals receive a special AP Grade Report in August for all classes in which five or more students completed the AP Examination.

Prepare, Inspire, Connect Benefits of the AP ® Program for Students Most U.S. and international colleges and universities have an AP policy granting incoming students credit, placement, or both, for qualifying AP Examination grades (usually 3s to 5s). Students gain college-level analytical and study skills. Students gain academic confidence.

Prepare, Inspire, Connect Factors Influencing College Admission Decisions NACAC Bulletin – November 2001

Prepare, Inspire, Connect According to a College Professor… “Students who have taken AP French are consistently the best students in my classes. Whatever grade the students may receive on the examination, they have received excellent preparation for advanced, college-level study.” John Lambeth Associate Professor of French Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA

Prepare, Inspire, Connect Benefits of the AP ® Program – The Effect on Students Better prepared academically. More likely to choose challenging majors. Likely to complete more college-level work. Likely to perform significantly better than students who did not take AP courses. More likely to exercise leadership. More likely to graduate with a double major. Twice as likely to go into advanced study. Willingham & Morris, 1986; UT Study 1988 Students who complete AP courses are

Prepare, Inspire, Connect FACTORS IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS (Percent of Institutions reporting “considerable importance in assigned factor) Grades, College Prep Classes Class Rank Admissions Tests (SAT I, ACT) Grades/All Courses Counselor Recommendation Teacher Recommendation Entrance Essay Admissions Interview Work/Extracurriculars Ability to Pay NA State Exit Exams NA 67 Subject Exams (SAT II) NA 67 Residency NA 22 Race/Ethnicity NA 3 Demonstrated Interest NA 7 Sources: National Association of College Admissions Counselors Admission Trend Surveys, As reported by National Association of Secondary School Principals

Prepare, Inspire, Connect According to an AP Student… Students who participate in AP are ultimately given the responsibility to reason, analyze, and understand for themselves. Such intellectual training inevitably helps them succeed in college, where these skills are essential. “AP has given me skills I need to succeed in college.” Dana Batista AP Calculus, AP Physics, AP Spanish The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas

Prepare, Inspire, Connect One AP Story! In mid-1990s, South Garland HS senior Chris McClung enters Rice University with 52 credits from AP classes and enrolls as a junior. He save his parents more than $65,000 for the cost of 15 exams. In 2006, tuition for one year at University of Notre Dame is $41,500. One three hour class costs around $1,200. In 2011, the test costs $82.00 and can earn up to 12 hours depending on the subject.

Prepare, Inspire, Connect College Search for AP ® Policies From the collegeboard.com home page Under “College Quickfinder” enter the name of college or university Click “Go” Select your college or university Click on “Tests”

Prepare, Inspire, Connect Responsibilities of AP ® Students A willingness to actively engage with sophisticated concepts A willingness to be judged by rigorous, college-level standards A willingness to complete longer and more complex nightly assignments A willingness to do summer reading A willingness to complete the AP Examination in May

Prepare, Inspire, Connect Benefits of the AP ® Program Provides a challenging academic program for motivated students Provides a rewarding professional development opportunity for teachers Demonstrates a school’s strong commitment to high academic standards Enhances a school’s overall academic reputation Rewards students with accelerated grade points for participation

Prepare, Inspire, Connect According to an AP ® Teacher and Administrator… “AP pushes me to discover new ways to improve as a teacher.” Michael Hicks AP U.S. History Teacher Abraham Lincoln High School, San Jose, California “AP is by far the best college preparatory program available. As the principal of a small school [of about 225 students], I especially value the teacher training, curricular materials, and data analysis AP offers. These systems of support ensure schools have the capacity to build successful AP programs.” Mike Brown Principal Prosper High School, Prosper, TX

Prepare, Inspire, Connect For Additional Information About the AP ® Program Visit Understanding how AP works Benefits gained through involvement in AP Expanding student access to AP AP Preparation FAQs Speak with teachers and counselors