The Advanced Placement (AP) program developed by the College Board allows high school students to take college-level classes and get college credits during the years they spend in high school. Over 30 AP tests in more than 30 subjects, thus AP tests are practical in proving one's academic achievement and college preparedness.
AP tests benefit students willing to join highly-ranked universities, especially foreign ones. They provide avenues for students to prove subject knowledge, problem-solving skills, and work ethic. These exams benefit students who wish to earn credits to help reduce the cost of tuition or 'place' out of first-year courses.
Each AP test is tied to an AP subject, and the content of the test is the material that will be taught in a college course. The subjects range from arts, humanities, sciences, mathematics, languages, and social sciences, and this means that anyone, irrespective of the field of study or specialisation, will always find a set of exams they can attempt.
This blog will uncover the types of AP exams, their nature, formats, and ways to assist you if you are preparing for the exams to study abroad or bolster your college applications.
Types of AP Exams
AP tests are divided according to courses, including almost every course in high schools or colleges today. Here are the main types of AP exams that high school students typically take:
Category | Exam Subjects |
AP Arts | AP Art and Design (Drawing, 2D Design, 3D Design) |
AP English | AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition |
AP History and Social Science | AP U.S. History, AP World History: Modern, AP European History, AP Psychology, AP Human Geography |
AP Maths and Computer Science | AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles |
AP Sciences | AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C (Mechanics, Electricity & Magnetism) |
AP World Languages and Cultures | AP Spanish Language and Culture, AP French Language and Culture, AP German Language and Culture |
AP Capstone | AP Seminar, AP Research |
AP Economics | AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics |
AP Government and Politics | AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP Comparative Government and Politics |
AP Music Theory | AP Music Theory |
AP Exam Format
The structure of the AP test depends on the subject; however, all the AP tests are focused on evaluating your knowledge of the subject through several multiple-choice questions and free responses. Here's a brief breakdown of what you can expect from different types of AP exams:
Multiple-Choice Section: This section checks your skill of promptly answering questions on facts, choosing between options, and evaluating situations. Usually, it is the initial segment of the test and carries a good chunk of the mark.
Free-Response Section: This section means you must produce discursive essays or develop a problem-solving assignment to assess your further comprehension of the content. For instance, for AP Calculus, you might be posed with a series of mathematical evaluations, while for AP English Literature, a passage could be posed.
Scoring: AP exams are scored on a 1-5 scale, with 5 being the highest score possible. Generally, a score of 3 is considered passing, and many colleges, including those in other countries, award college credits for AP examination results.
Conclusion
The types of AP exams allow high school students to take on the challenge they require to be ready for college. If you are a student aiming to take an AP exam in arts, sciences, or languages, it is good to have information about the characteristics of the tests and the options open to you. If you plan on attending college overseas, it will also help improve your chances of credit transfers should you excel in your AP tests.
Having done a lot of work on the AP exams, coming up with a focused test prep is crucial to achieving the best. Therefore, the secret to scoring high in Economies linked to your exams starts today: AP exam preparations for those who wish to study in other countries or university entrance exams.
Explore more: Best Exams to Study Abroad