AP Potential

What is AP Potential?

Improving educational outcomes and increasing the percentage of college-bound seniors are important goals for any school. While some students' academic histories indicate their readiness for AP course work, this is not the case for all students. How do you identify students with diverse educational needs and backgrounds who can succeed in AP courses?

AP Potential is a research-driven, free Web-based tool that will help [schools] identify AP students. This powerful tool will . . .

• Identify students likely to succeed on AP Exams

• Improve access to AP

• Analyze data and PSAT/NMSQT scores

• Ensure that no student with the potential to succeed in AP is overlooked

• Help make determinations as to which AP courses to offer at your school

College Board research published in 1998 and 2006 shows strong correlations between students' PSAT/NMSQT scores and AP Exam results. These studies show that PSAT/NMSQT scores are strong predictors of students' AP Exam grades, and when used in conjunction with the more traditional signposts such as high school grades, grades in previous same-discipline course work, and the number of same-discipline courses a student has taken, can serve to provide reliable guidance in identifying additional students who may be ready for the rigor of AP.

Although AP Potential is an important evaluative tool, it should never be used as the sole criterion for placement in AP courses. Though a strong indicator, it only accounts for a fraction of the factors that ultimately determine a student's AP Exam grade. Other important factors include: individual student motivation and preparation, parental support, and teacher efficacy.

Cited from the College Board www.collegeboard.com

Please contact your counselor for more information regarding the usefulness of AP Potential.