Why should I take AP classes?
AP classes give students the chance to challenge themselves by taking more rigorous coursework while in high school. If they do well on the AP exam, then students have the opportunity to earn college credit. Students who take AP classes also earn an extra quality point on their transcripts, thus giving them the opportunity to earn GPAs out of 5.0 quality points instead of 4.0 quality points.
Research also shows that students who take AP classes tend to do better in college. See the below findings from the Center for College Readiness at Rice University:
"According to the largest-ever study of the effects of AP on college success, University of Texas researchers found that students who take AP courses in high school are more likely to graduate from college within four years and have higher grade point averages in college than similar students who did not take AP courses. Hargrove and Dodd (2007) found that students who successfully participated in one or more AP exams and courses significantly out-performed their non-AP peers. These comparisons were made among peers with similar levels of academic ability and family economic status. Students who took one or more AP courses and exams had higher college GPAs, earned more credit hours and were more likely to graduate in 4 years or less. The findings indicate that even AP students who took the course and scored two out of a possible five points on an AP exam will still tend to do better in college than a student who did not take AP courses or who skipped the AP exam (Hargrove and Dodd, 2007).
Additionally, data suggests that AP exam scores of 3 or better are strongly predictive of a higher rate of college graduation. A study by Dougherty, Mellor and Jian (2005) assessed college-graduation rate differences between matched AP and non-AP students and found that AP students were significantly more likely to graduate from college than their matched non-AP peers. These results indicated that African-Americans scoring a three or higher on the AP exam as opposed to the non-AP student were 21 percent more likely to graduate from college, Hispanics were 27 percent more likely, whites were 19 percent more likely, and low-income students were 32 percent more likely."
How do I determine which AP classes I should take?
There are two different approaches that many families take:
Identify areas that you intend to study in college and focus on learning more about these topics.
Identify general credit courses that you would like to not have to take in college.
The "right" number of exams for each student will vary. Colleges want to see that students take advantage of opportunities available, but they also want to see that students do well in their courses. Finding that balance will be different for each student based on their academic and extracurricular interests.
What if I'm having trouble logging into to AP Classroom?
Try the suggestions found here on College Board's website. If you still have trouble, please reach out to Ms. Dickerson, kdickerson@chccs.k12.nc.us.
How do I find out my scores?
In July, students will use their College Board account username and password and their AP number to access their scores from https://apscore.collegeboard.org/scores . Scores are released on a rolling basis, so students should check their College Board account and email to see when their scores will be available.
What is considered a passing score?
A score of 3 or higher (out of 5) is considered passing for an AP exam. Each college and university has different requirements for which scores they accept and how much credit they will award. You can find out this information on the admissions website for the universities and colleges that a student is interested in. We have also included a quick link to the policies from local universities on the "Can I Get Credit for That?" section of the webpage.
How will the scores for any AP course I take be sent to universities?
When seniors take AP Exams, they receive one free score report by designating a college, university, or scholarship program in My AP. The institution they pick receives their official score report, containing scores from every AP Exam they have ever taken, unless they have requested that one or more scores be withheld or canceled. When you go online you will be able to see your entire score report and score-send history. If you wish to send additional score reports to colleges, universities, and scholarship programs you can do so online for a fee .
What if I want to take an exam for a course that I am not enrolled in?
Students can elect to take exams for courses they are not taking and are currently offered by our school, but it is the family's responsibility to notify the AP Coordinator of this wish by November 1 and to pay the required exam fee of $99, so the exam will be ordered before the deadline. It is also the student's responsibility to prepare for these self-study courses. Please note that self-studying may help a student earn college credit but it will not award credit for the high school course. Exam fees can be paid at K12paymentcenter.com. Please be sure to indicate the exam requested and email the AP Coordinator to confirm receipt of the payment. After this step, the AP Coordinator will make sure students are officially in the ordering system. No late exam orders will be accepted.
What if I have a conflict on the day of my AP exam?
College Board provides a list of acceptable reasons to take a late AP exam. Please note that some conflicts incur a late exam fee of $40-$80, and some do not. If a late exam fee is incurred, it is the family's responsibility to notify the coordinator of the conflict by April 15 and to pay the fee prior to the ordering of the late exam. If an exam has already been ordered, an unused exam return fee may also be charged to the family depending on the circumstances. Please note that oversleeping, getting caught in traffic, and misreading the exam schedule do not qualify for a late exam. Students who miss an exam for these reasons, will pay the exam fee and will not be able to take the late exam. Additionally, due to staffing and space limitations we can only provide a late exams for the reasons provided below:
College Board-approved reasons for taking a late exam that do not incur a fee include:
-Emergency-Serious injury, illness or family tragedy (doctor's note or parent written verification required)
-Religious holiday/observance (parent written verification required)
-A conflict with another AP exam
-A conflict with a district sponsored academic contest/event or athletic event (written notice either in email or handwritten required)
-An accommodations conflict
College Board-approved reasons for taking a late exam that do incur a fee include:
-Student has a once-in-a-lifetime family conflict that is unavoidable (wedding, etc.). Please note that if approved, the family will have to pay a $40 late testing fee to College Board for this reason.