ADVANCED PLACEMENT

AP classes prepare high school students for college

 The Advanced Placement Program gives students a chance to take college courses while in high school. The courses are comparable to introductory college courses. The program offers 38 courses in seven areas. AP exams are given each May, with scores ranging from 1 to 5. 

Students who score 3 or higher may receive credit from the college they attend or may be able to skip introductory college courses. Even if students don’t do well on the exams, having AP classes on their transcripts may help them get admitted to the college of their choice. 

Scores of 3 or higher may also qualify students at certified Kentucky high schools for Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) bonus awards. To qualify, a student must have been eligible for free or reduced-price lunches during any year of high school. 

Plus, AP classes are weighted higher when KHEAA computes GPAs for regular KEES awards. 

Schools that want to offer AP courses to their students must have the courses approved by the AP Program. Teachers design their own AP courses within guidelines that ensure the class will meet college-level standards. However, the exams are provided by the AP Program and are written by the same committees that provide the guidelines. AP is offered by the College Board, the provider of the SAT. For more information about the AP Program, visit https://ap.collegeboard.org/.