AP

Advanced Placement® : The Basics

Essential information on college-level courses, exams, and credit policies

College Board AP Program

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College-Level Rigor

AP® courses are high school classes designed to match top introductory college coursework.

• Experience college academics early
• Taught by trained high school faculty

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Optional AP Exams

Exams take place at the end of the course to measure mastery of college-level material.

Scoring Scale: 1 to 5

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Earning College Credit

A score of 3 or higher typically earns credit and/or advanced placement.

Some institutions require a 4 or 5 for specific course credit.

Search AP Credit Policies →

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State Law Mandate Illinois Public Universities Policy

Illinois state schools are required by law to award college credit for any AP Exam score of 3 or higher. (Out-of-state and private universities set their own individual credit policies).

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College-Level Content

Students learn rigorous college-level content and skills.

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Valued in Admissions

Taking AP is valued in the college admission process, as it is seen as rigorous coursework.

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Rewarding Experiences

AP courses offer interesting and deeply rewarding academic challenges.

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Earn College Credit

Opportunity to earn valuable credit and advanced placement in college.

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Essential Skills

Builds critical thinking, confidence, time management, and study skills essential for college.

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Fast-Track Success

Move to upper-level college courses sooner upon university enrollment.

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English

English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition

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History & Social Sciences

Comparative Government and Politics, Human Geography, Psychology, United States Government and Politics

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Math & Computer Science

Precalculus, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Computer Science A, Computer Science Principles, Cybersecurity, Statistics

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Sciences

Biology, Chemistry, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Physics C: Mechanics

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World Languages

French Language and Culture, German Language and Culture, Spanish Language and Culture

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Music

Music Theory

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Art

Art Studio 2-D Design & Art History (always offered during course selection, but we have never had enough students request the courses to be able to offer them).

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Business

AP Business with Personal Finance

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AP Exams are administered by schools worldwide on set dates in May each year. Duration: 2.5 – 4 Hours

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Exam Structure

• Multiple-choice questions
• Free-response items:
• Essays
• Problem solving
• Document-based questions
• Oral response

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Digital & Hybrid

• Most exams are delivered digitally.
• Some courses use a hybrid model combining digital and paper.
• Get specific details on format from your AP teacher or AP coordinator.

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Specialty Sections

• Listening and Speaking components are required for:
• World Languages exams
• Music Theory exams

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For course-specific exam information:

https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/course-index-page

AP® Exams at NCHS

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672

Exams Taken

Participation

In 2026, 294 students took 672 AP exams at NCHS.

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89%

Scored 3 or Higher

High Achievement

89% of NCHS students scored a 3 or above on their AP Exams in 2026.

Over the last 5 years at NCHS, consistently at least 80% of students scored 3+.

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130

AP Scholars

Academic Excellence

130 students achieved AP Scholar status in 2026.

Average score of 3.92 across all scholar exams.

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AP Scholar Awards Recognition

The AP Program offers several AP Scholar Awards to recognize high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and exams.

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$105

Standard Fee / Exam

General Exam Fee

The current exam fee is $105 per exam.

The cost could increase in coming years with College Board’s changing fees.

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$20

Reduced Fee / Exam

Financial Assistance

Assistance is available for eligible students with financial need:

• Free/Reduced Lunch Status lowers the exam fee, considerably. Currently $20
• Free/Reduced Lunch Status students will mark the financial need box within the Total Registration website

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Financial Need Registration Note

Eligible Free/Reduced Lunch Status students must ensure they mark the financial need box on the Total Registration website during registration to receive the reduced $20 fee.

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Online Registration Portal

Registration steps and payment are completed online

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Semester 1 & Full Year AP Courses

October 1st – October 31st

Registration runs during this window every year.

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Semester 2 Only Classes

February 1st – February 28th

Select social studies courses only. Runs annually.

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STRICT POLICY: No late registrations allowed! Full payment & both steps below must be fully completed by deadline or exam will be canceled.

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Student Legal Identity

Students must register with their own full legal name, address, and date of birth – NOT the parent’s info.

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Total Registration Email Requirement

Students should use an email in Total Registration that they check OFTEN! All exam communication will take place via email.

They will receive test schedules, locations, maps, and any emergency information through their email only!

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College Board Account Tip

For College Board accounts, it is best to use a personal email, as students lose access to their school email upon graduation.

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Off-Campus Exam Locations (will vary)

• Heartland Community College
• Eastview Christian Church
• ISU Bone Student Center

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NCHS (Special & Late Testing)

• Late exams and/or students with special testing accommodations only (must be pre-approved).
• Some accommodations exams may be given off campus, depending on space.

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Transportation Policy

Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from each AP exam.

In April, students registered for AP exams will receive the following VIA EMAIL ONLY:

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Individualized Schedule

Personalized testing timetable specific to each student

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Location & Parking

Maps and venue details for assigned exam sites

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What to Bring

Required materials, approved supplies, and ID

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What NOT to Bring

Prohibited items and unauthorized devices

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Critical Test Day Guidelines

• Practice your transportation route ahead of time to ensure test day is smooth and stress-free.
• Pay close attention to specific building names and classroom numbers where testing will take place.
• Strict Attendance Policy: No late students are allowed into the testing room under any circumstances.

AP Exam Procedures

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Arrival & Timing

• Arrive 20–30 minutes early; doors open 15–20 minutes before the 8:00 AM testing window.
• Strict Policy: Late students cannot be admitted per College Board guidelines.

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Multiple Exams in One Day

• Students taking 2 exams on the same day are expected to take both on that day per College Board.
• Bring a snack/lunch for the quick break between exams.
• Schedule conflicts will be handled directly by the coordinator.

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Absences & Late Testing

• Missed exams require verified emergency/reasons discussed directly with the coordinator. Illness requires a doctor's note.
• Late exams occur on specific national test dates and cannot be rescheduled.
• Some late exam requests incur an additional fee (~$40).

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Exams Not Offered by Unit 5

• Unit 5 only offers exams for courses included in our curriculum.
• To take an unoffered exam, students are responsible for finding another testing site and registering separately.

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Score Release

AP Exam Scores are released in July directly to the student’s College Board account.

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Sending to Colleges

To send scores to colleges, students will submit their request through their College Board accounts.

Note: College Board charges a fee to send scores per school.

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Account Access Support

If your student has trouble accessing their College Board account, contact College Board directly.

NCHS counselors have no information or access to student accounts.

Each college and university has its own policies regarding AP® credit and placement. Find info at www.collegeboard.org/apcreditpolicy (also available on the NCHS Counselors website under AP).

College Board AP Credit Policy Search Portal

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Flexible School Search

Search by school name or browse alphabetically to locate specific higher education institutions quickly.

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Direct Institutional Links

Includes direct links to each school’s official web page detailing AP credit and placement guidelines.

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Official Policy Statements

Access verified statements directly from colleges and universities regarding AP score requirements.