Advanced Placement (AP) Courses and Testing

The main advantage of taking an AP course is advanced preparation for college. Additionally, students who score well on AP exams may receive college credit while still in high school. The AP exams are given every year in May. Scores are reported to the colleges designated by the student and range from 1 (no recommendation) to 5 (extremely qualified). Each college determines the scores to be accepted for credit. Colleges may award three, and sometimes six, hours of credit per test. It is the responsibility of the student to check with the colleges in which they are interested in to see if they accept AP exams for credits.

The Illinois Board of Higher Education provides a list of all Illinois public universities accepting AP credit and links to their’ AP policies and score charts. Click here for more information.

AP classes are college-level courses that are more challenging and rigorous. AP classes require students to be energetic, involved, and motivated.

Students who succeed in AP courses generally do well in college as a result of rigorous academic preparation. AP classes are weighted on a 5.0 scale. It is not advised to take numerous AP courses without serious consideration and teacher recommendations. Doing poorly in an AP course will affect your GPA.

• AP Biology
• AP Chemistry
• AP Physics C Mechanics 
• AP Physics C E&M 
• AP Environmental Science 
• AP English Language and Composition
• AP English Literature and Composition 
• AP Government and Politics 
• AP European History
• AP U.S. History 
• AP Macroeconomics
• AP Microeconomics
• AP Psychology
• AP Calculus AB/BC
• AP Statistics
• AP Computer Science
• AP French
• AP German 
• AP Spanish 
• AP Music Theory 
• AP Studio Art
• AP Art History

If you elect to take the AP examination in the spring, the fee is $96 per exam for 2019. Students may qualify for financial assistance from The College Board if necessary. Please see your school counselor to see if you qualify.

No. We recommend you discuss this with your AP teacher. Furthermore, if you do poorly on the exam, your score will not adversely affect your chances of college admittance (but doing poorly in the course will).