FAQs for AP Courses

Q: Where can find the AP College Board Exam Policies and Guidelines?

A: This Link: Exam Policies and Guidelines.  Other helpful links to the College Board resources are on the AP Course Homepage.

Q: Do I need a College Board account?

A: Yes, you need to create a College Board account if you do not already have one. This is the same account for PSATs and SATs. Make sure your email address is a personal email address and not your school @nhps.net email account.

Q: What is the deadline for signing up to take the AP exam?

A: November 15, 2024

Q: What is the deadline for dropping an AP course?

A: March 15, 2025. 

Please note: If you withdraw after November 15th, a "W" will be placed on your transcript for the course, and you will be charged an unused exam fee since exams are ordered based on the November 15th deadline.

Q: If Wilbur Cross does not offer a course, can I still take it independently as an ISSP and take the exam?

A: No. You may be able to take it at a different school. Visit the AP Ledger to see what is available. You must contact the high school that offers the course, speak to their AP Coordinator, and ask if you can test there. There is no guarantee that they will allow this. If they do not allow it, Wilbur Cross cannot assist further.

Q: I am a transfer student enrolled in an AP Course at my previous school. What should I do?

A: If Cross offers the course, you can enroll in the class if there is space (the teacher contractual limit is 27) and transfer into the class through AP Classroom. See Mr. Grindrod, who will help with the process. 

According to the College Board, if Cross does not offer the course, you cannot take the course or exam at Cross since we do not have a teacher of record with an approved College Board syllabus. Visit the AP Ledger to see what is available. You must contact the high school that offers the course, speak to their AP Coordinator, and ask if you can test there. There is no guarantee that they will allow this. If they allow it, Wilbur Cross cannot assist further.

Q: Is summer work required for AP courses?

A: No. Summer work is suggested for skill building, skills practice, exposure, and enrichment purposes only. Engaging with summer work may be helpful in the course to give students additional background knowledge.  

Q: I did the summer work, got my PowerSchool schedule, and am not enrolled in the course. Can I enroll in the class?

A: This depends on available space in the class and the total number of courses where the student is enrolled at the beginning of the year. If there is space in the class and students can make a schedule change without risking their graduation, they can transfer into the class. Students will not be able to enroll in the class if they are already enrolled in the number of classes allowed per grade level or if they are enrolled in a class that meets at the same time that is required for their graduation.

Q: If I take an AP Course, do I need to take the AP exam?

A: Yes.  

Q: What happens if I take an AP Course and do not take the AP exam?

A: You will be charged an unused exam fee to Wilbur Cross High School and earn honors credit for the course. The AP designation and GPA boost will be removed from your transcript.

Additional Questions or Comments:

If you have additional questions that we should add to this site, please email Mr. Grindrod (brian.grindrod@new-haven.k12.ct.us). Our goal is to provide clear communication to families.

Additional FAQs can be found on the course selection website.