How to graduate from university, early
| CLEARING THE AP Test enables one to get preference in admission process at US Universities |
THE College Board’s Advanced Placement Program (AP) is an academic program comprising university-level courses and exams that students can take while in secondary school to prepare for university-level study. Colleges and universities around the world look favourably upon students who take AP courses and exams, because performance in AP demonstrates a student’s commitment and ability to succeed at university-level study. The College Board has been working with the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) for several years to offer AP Exams in New Delhi and Mumbai.
Benefits of AP tests
Indian students with qualifying AP Exam scores can earn foreign university credits and/or place into upper-level university courses while still in secondary school. With enough credits, students can graduate from university early and save money on tuition. Students who succeed in AP during secondary school also have the opportunity to move directly into higher-level university classes instead of spending time taking introductory coursework, and the university credits they earn gives them the flexibility and time within their university years to spend a semester abroad, or earn a double major. In order to earn university credit or advanced placement, a student should score 3 or above on a scale of 5. However, each institution determines its own AP acceptance and credit policy, which students can find using the AP Credit Policy Info search on the College Board’s website (https://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/index.jsp).
| AP Exam schedule |
| Timing: Once a year in May for two weeks all over the world Scores declared: July Exam fee: Approximately $143 dollars (excludes tax in test centre) View 2013 AP Exam schedule @ https://www.collegeboard.org/ap-in-india.html |
Who accepts AP test scores
Indian students thinking of heading to the US, Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Germany or other countries for undergraduate studies should be encouraged to take AP courses and exams. Over 90 percent of colleges and universities across the US offer university credit, advanced placement or both on the basis of successful AP Exam scores. In total, more than 18,000 colleges and universities in 115 countries accept AP scores for university credit and/or advanced placement, with the majority of them recognising AP as an important credential in the admissions process.
Download AP courses for free
AP courses are provided for free to secondary schools throughout India by the College Board. Students whose school does not offer AP can also take a number of online AP courses approved by the College Board. The College Board strongly encourages students to complete an AP course before taking the related subject exam, although taking the course is not a formal prerequisite to taking the exam.
Students might find it helpful to review the AP Course Description for the subject(s) they are considering. Each AP Course description offers details on the topics covered in the curriculum framework and the exam structure. AP exams consist of multiple-choice questions and free-response (essay) questions. Visit the ‘Preparing for AP’ section for released exam questions, study tips, and resources available for free and for purchase.
The author Deborah Davis is Director, College Readiness Communications at College Board. You can email international@collegeboard.org for info on AP in India