Grade Point Average is one of the many factors that colleges use to determine admission. AP courses offer students to start earning a higher GPA as early as their freshmen year. The graphic below delineates how GPA points are awarded for various grades at different course levels.
AP courses are college-paced, college-level survey courses. Instructor syllabi are approved by College Board and offer students an opportunity to practice college-level reading, writing and analytical thinking skills. Students develop time management, study strategies and a scholarly perspective that will assist them in college and career. AP courses also offer students an opportunity to discover their interests and potential career paths.
Nearly all colleges and universities in the United States grant credit and placement for qualifying AP scores. Credit applies to instructional hours while placement means students can potentially skip an introductory course or fulfill a general education requirement. The opportunity to earn credit and placement sets AP apart from other programs. Click here to search the AP Credit Policy at your school(s) of interest.
AP Scholars: The College Board AP Service for Outstanding Achievement recognizes seniors who have scored a 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.
AP Scholars with Honor: The College Board AP Service for Outstanding Achievement recognizes seniors who have an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on four or more AP exams.
AP Scholars with Distinction: The College Board AP Service for Outstanding Achievement recognizes seniors who have an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken and scores of 3 or higher on 5 or more AP exams.
Advanced Placement Endorsement: The College Board recognizes students who are enrolled in five or more AP courses and take the corresponding exams for these courses during their high school career.
AP Capstone: Students who complete a series of interdisciplinary tasks through two yearlong courses, AP Seminar and AP Research, are recognized with a light blue and silver cord at graduation.
AP Capstone Certificate: The College Board recognizes students who receive a score of 3 or higher in both AP Seminar and AP Research.
AP Capstone Diploma: The College Board recognizes students who receive a score of 3 or higher in AP Seminar, AP Research and four additional AP course exams.