Browse the Hall of Fives or Past Projects pages to see what topics and studies students have carried out in the past!
AP Research 2020-2021 (In-Person)
AP Research 2020-2021 (Distance)
About the AP Capstone Diploma Program
AP Capstone is a diploma program from College Board based on two year-long AP Courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. It is a rigorous and rewarding two-year program that equips you with skills that are at the core of every college course. Studies show that AP Capstone scholars earn higher grades their freshman year of college. It boosts your other AP scores and you can add AP Capstone Certificate/Diploma Candidate under the Honors and Distinctions section on college applications. Upon successful completion of your AP Research paper, you can apply and submit it to a peer-reviewed journal for publication.
There are two AP awards that you can earn:
If you earn a score of 3 or higher on both AP Seminar and Research exams, you will receive the "AP Seminar and Research Certificate."
If you pass AP Seminar and Research and four additional AP Exams during high school, you will receive the "AP Capstone Diploma."
AP Exams Overview
AP Seminar Performance Tasks
Completed in class:
(2) Individual essays - a research report and a synthesis essay
(1) Group presentation graded by Ms. Dinh
(1) Individual presentation graded by Ms. Dinh
On the day of the AP exam:
(1) Short response test - read an argument and answer (3) prompts
(1) Essay test - review given sources and write a synthesis essay
AP Research Performance Tasks
(1) Academic paper completed in class, in chunks, over the course of the year
(1) Individual presentation graded by Ms. Dinh
A-G Requirements and College Credit
AP Seminar and AP Research each satisfy 1 year of the G (Elective) requirement of the A-G requirements for UC and CSU eligibility. A grade of C or better is required to meet the requirement. AP Seminar and AP Research focus on collaboration, academic research, writing, and presentation skills needed in every college course, not just the content of one specific subject. Therefore, colleges and universities typically award college credit for AP Seminar and AP Research as general elective credit. For more information on how AP Capstone transfers to specific colleges, visit https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-capstone/higher-education-support.