AN INTRODUCTION TO THE�AP - ADVANCED PLACEMENT �PROGRAM

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Howell High School

AP BASICS

• AP courses are college-level courses offered in high school.
• Courses reflect what is taught in introductory college courses.
• Students can register for AP Exams in the Fall for Spring testing (in May), measuring their mastery of college-level work.
• Students can typically earn college credit and/or placement into honors or advanced courses when they score a 3 or higher on an AP Exam.
• Some colleges/universities require a specific score for college credit
• check with your college of choice!

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Current HHS AP Courses & AP Exams Offered

History & Social Science

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• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Psychology
• United States Government and Politics
• United States Comparative Government
• United States History

English

• Language and Composition
• Literature and Composition

Mathematics & Computer Science

• Statistics
• Calculus AB
• Calculus BC
• Computer Science Principles
• Computer Science A

Sciences

World Languages

Arts

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Physics I (Algebra-based)
• Physics C: Mechanics

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• French Language
• Chinese Language
• Spanish Language (*most common*)
• Spanish Literature

• Art History
• Studio Art (Drawing: 2D, 3D)

AP AT HHS

• During the 2024-2025 school year, 407 HHS students were enrolled in at least one AP course
• In May 2025, 515 AP Exams were administered
• Additional supports provided to students
• Use your My AP Dashboard for great resources to prep for the AP Exams

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BENEFITS OF TAKING AP

Benefits of Taking AP

WHY TAKE AN AP CLASS?

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

Experience with College curriculum

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.

Boost GPA (APs carry weight!)

HHS offers a GPA boost to students who take AP courses. �This helps students stand out on college applications and stay motivated to take AP courses.� Example: � Traditional Class: A = 4.0 / A- = 3.667 / B+ = 3.333 / B = 3.0

AP Class: A = 4.4 / A- = 4.034 / B+ = 3.667 / B = 3.3

AP: College Advantage

Taking AP courses in high school could give you an advantage in college. Depending on your AP Exam score (1-5), college credit and/or placement might be granted.

Earn College Credit

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

Stand Out to Colleges

“AP” on your high school transcript shows colleges you’ve tackled college-level work.

Earn Placement in Advanced or Honors Courses

Your AP score can let you skip introductory courses in college.

Save Money and Time

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

CREDIT AND PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Each college and university has its own policies regarding AP credit and placement.
• Find colleges that grant credit, placement, or both for AP Exam scores at collegeboard.org
• Search by course or college
• Data for each college includes a direct link to that college’s website detailing AP credit and placement policies
• A statement from the college or university about its AP policy

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Sign-in to access AP Resources

myap.collegeboard.org

• AP Classroom is an online resource that helps students improve their performance all year long.
• It’s mobile friendly, so students can access it anytime, anywhere, once they’ve joined the class online.
• AP Classroom includes:
• AP Daily Videos
• Practice Questions
• Personal Progress Checks
• Progress Dashboard

AP DAILY VIDEOS

• Short learning videos on every topic in every unit for targeted support to help students build knowledge and skills
• Roughly eight minutes in length
• Two or three videos for every topic and skill pairing within a given unit
• Led by expert AP teachers
• Accessible anytime from anywhere by students to get answers to questions the moment they have them

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

• Topic Questions provide students with practice applying the content and skills for each topic within a unit.
• Topic Questions give teachers and students just-in-time feedback and insights into student misunderstandings.
• Students can complete these quick checks for understanding from their cell phone, a tablet, and a computer.
• Responses give students and their teachers insights into how they’re progressing in the course.

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PERSONAL PROGRESS CHECKS

• Real-time feedback on the topics and skills in each unit as the teacher unlocks progress checks
• Formative assessments of college-level knowledge and skills designed to:
• gauge student progress over time
• highlight areas of strength
• identify areas students need to work on or get support for
• Personal Progress Checks are assigned at the end of each unit, after students have learned the unit’s topics and skills

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Student Progress Dashboard

• Enables students to view their progress, unit by unit
• Allows students to celebrate successes and focus on areas of growth

AP EXAMS

AP Exams

ABOUT AP EXAMS

• Standardized exams that measure how well students have mastered the content and skills of a specific AP course
• Fall registration (Google Form emailed to every AP student)
• Payment due and Tests are Ordered in October
• Cost of AP Tests are set by College Board
• Approximately $100/exam �(college credits start at $120/hour at community colleges)� *Reduced Exam Fees are available to those who qualify
• Refunds are available after the May test dates are completed;�there is a fee deducted from the refund amount once a test is ordered
• Administered by schools worldwide every year in the spring
• Created and scored by teams of AP teachers and college professors
• Score Range: 1 - 5

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MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT AP

Myth #1 – AP courses are for students who always get good grades.

Reality – You don’t need to be top of your class to be an AP student, but you’ll want to be prepared for the AP course you choose. AP courses ask that you come willing to do your best work.

Myth #2 – AP courses are too hard and stressful.

Reality – AP classes can be challenging, but that doesn’t mean you’re not up to the task. If you’re willing to work hard and if you’re prepared academically, you should be able to succeed in an AP course.

Myth #3 – I don’t think I’ll score high enough on the AP Exam to earn college credit.

Reality – Many colleges grant credit, placement, or both based on a 3 or higher on an AP Exam.

Myth #4 – Taking AP courses could hurt my GPA.

Reality – Taking AP courses show colleges that you’re willing to challenge yourself academically. The extra weight calculated for an AP class will likely improve your GPA, if earning a B- or higher in the AP course.

Myth #5 – I’m not sure AP is for me. How do I know if I’m ready?

Reality – If you think you’re ready to take an AP course, then you’re ready to advocate for yourself—talk to a teacher or counselor.

Myth #6 – The final step in your AP journey is taking the AP Exam.

Reality – Every year that you take AP Exams, you can send one score report for free to the college, university, or scholarship organization of your choice. Be sure to take this important last step.

NEXT STEPS

• Decide which AP course(s) are right for you:
• What subjects do you enjoy most?
• Which subjects do you excel in?
• Have you completed the course prerequisites?
• Talk to your teachers and counselor if you are still unsure
• Speak with other students who have taken AP courses
• Register for AP Classes when Selecting Courses in Class Choice

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