If you wish to take an AP exam for a course not offered at El Capitan, search the AP Course Ledger to find a school that offers it. When you find one, call that school to ask for the name of the AP Coordinator. Email that person and ask about being included in their test administration.

If the answer is no, keep looking on the Course Ledger and contacting schools. Updated lists of which schools are offering the course will be posted on the Course Ledger in November. If you find one after the order deadline, a school may still accept your test order with a late fee.
If the answer is yes, that AP Coordinator will need to provide a code for an Exam-Only section (class) on the College Board website, where you will create an account if necessary, log in, and indicate that yes, you intend to take the test. They will also need to collect your payment and any required forms from you.

About the AP program

What is AP?

The Advanced Placement Program offers students the opportunity to take college-level courses and exams in high school and earn college credit, advanced placement, or both at many colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world. They follow a specific set of curriculum in preparation for an exam in early May. By earning college credit in high school and skipping introductory courses in college, you can save time and money as they work toward a college degree.

Student Presentation

An Edge in College

Taking AP courses in high school could give you an advantage in college by letting you:

Earn College Credit

Your AP score could earn you college credits before you even set foot on campus.

Earn Advanced Placement

Your AP score can let you skip introductory courses in college and can increase your pay in the armed forces.

Save Money and Time

Earning credit or placement can open up time on your schedule or even let you graduate early.

Stand Out to Colleges

Students who take AP courses send a signal to colleges that they’re serious about their education and that they’re willing to challenge themselves with rigorous coursework.[1]

A Head Start in High School

Research consistently shows that AP students are better prepared for college than students who don’t take AP. They’re more likely to enroll and stay in college, do well in their classes, and graduate in four years. Taking AP can help you:

Get a Taste of College

Get familiar with college-level work—and boost your confidence by tackling it.

Develop College Skills

Time management, critical thinking, scholarly writing—AP courses help you hone the skills you’ll need in college and career.

Discover Your Passion

Studying a subject in depth could give you new insights and even put you on the path to a career. Learn to tap your creativity and your problem-solving skills to address course challenges.

College Admissions Leaders Support AP Students

These admissions officers from colleges across the country have encouraging words for students taking AP Exams this year.

Benefits of Taking AP Exams

By taking an AP Exam, you'll gain an advantage on your path to college.
Research shows that students who receive a score of 3 or higher on AP Exams typically experience greater academic success in college and have higher graduation rates than their non-AP peers.[3]
Research shows that students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a college degree on time[4]—which means they avoid paying for, for example, a fifth year of tuition.