Advanced Placement Exams 2024: How to Secure Top Score – Revealed!

Starting back in the 1950s, the Advanced Placement Exam or AP Exam has been a steadfast companion to students interested in studying abroad for 60+ years.

So, if you want to pursue a degree from your dream university, you have landed at the right place.

In this blog, we offer comprehensive insights about the exam, covering everything from its definition and eligibility criteria to the syllabus, subjects, exam dates, cost, score range, and more!

What is the AP Exam?

Advanced Placement Exam or AP Exam is a standardised entrance exam for high school students who wish to study in universities in the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, or any other country to pursue undergraduate studies. These exams are administered by the College Board globally and cover a wide range of disciplines.

Why Take Advanced Placement Exams?

1. Most universities offer college credit or advanced placement to students who perform well in AP exams. This way, you will get college credits even before college admission. It means you can skip introductory courses and accelerate your academic progress.
2. A strong performance in the AP Exam gives you an edge over others in the college admission process, making you a more competitive candidate.
3. AP test scores are globally recognised and accepted by universities worldwide, offering students flexibility and opportunities for international education.
4. AP Exam is an indirect way to Potential Cost Savings. By earning college credit through AP exams, students may reduce the overall cost of their college education by completing prerequisite courses in advance.
5. AP courses are rigorous and focus on critical thinking, analytical writing, and problem-solving skills. All these qualities help students brace for their higher studies.

Eligibility Criteria for AP Exam

Before applying for Advanced Placement Exams, ensure that you fulfil the below-mentioned eligibility requirements:

1. The applicant must be below the age of 21.
2. The AP exam is typically taken by students in standard 11 or 12 or even earlier if prepared.
3. Students generally enrol for AP courses at their high schools before taking the exams. However, enrolling for the specific AP course is not mandatory to take the AP exam.
4. You should have a valid passport.
5. You can take the AP exam only once a year. However, you can reappear for the exam next year.
6. Some courses have special AP Exam Policies, so students must check with their counsellor or the AP teacher to ensure they fulfil all the exam requirements.

AP Exam Cost

The cost of taking an Advanced Placement (AP) exam varies depending on the country and is subject to change. Below is a brief overview of the AP exam costs in different regions, along with a few other charges that you should know about:

How to Apply for the AP Exam?

Preparing for the AP Exam is not a cakewalk. It requires adequate planning, effective study techniques, proper strategy, and creating a plan.

To help you out, here is the AP Exam preparation strategy that you can follow to score the best results:

1. Choose the Subject: The first step of the process is to decide on the subject. AP exams are offered across various disciplines ranging from Science and Calculus to Biology and History. So, choose the course in which you are interested.

2. Begin Early: The best tip to win any race is to begin early. Having adequate time helps you study well, revise the concepts, and give mock tests. So, start your AP Exam preparation on time.

3. Get familiar with the Exam Format: There are different types of questions asked in the AP Exam. So, get familiar with the exam format, time constraints, and scoring criteria by practising sample AP exam papers.

4. Follow a routine: As a student, it is easy to get distracted. So, have a structured study plan where you allocate sufficient time for each subject and focus on the area that needs more effort.

5. Take Mock Tests: One of the best ways to perform well in the exam is to practise as many mock tests as possible. It helps in assessing your weak areas, getting accustomed to the pace of the actual test, helping in time management, and more.

Syllabus for AP Exam

AP exams are conducted across various disciplines (38 to be precise) ranging from Arts and Science to Maths and Computers, offering the opportunity to dive deeper into their subject of interest. Below is a detailed overview of the disciplines covered by the AP Exam, along with their subjects.

Advanced Placement Exams Dates

Now that you know all the crucial details regarding the AP Exam. The next important thing to consider is the Advanced Placement Exams Dates. So, AP exams take place every year in May. For this year (2024), the AP exams are set to be administered over two weeks in May, from May 6–10 and May 13–17.

What is the Score Range and Marking System for the AP Exam?

The marking system for AP exams is on a scale of 1 to 5, with each score having a different interpretation.

Who Accepts the AP Exam?

Talking about the AP Scores and College Admission, Most renowned universities and colleges in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, etc accept AP exams.

Here are a few of the top universities abroad accepting the Advanced Placement Exams:

• Princeton University
• Harvard University
• Columbia University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Yale University
• Stanford University
• University of Chicago
• University of Pennsylvania.

So, by now, we hope you have a complete idea about Advanced Placement Exams. It is an excellent way to fulfil your dream of getting admission to the best foreign university. Plus, what's better than reducing your financial costs as well? The best part about Advanced Placement Exams is that they are accepted by almost all the top universities, from Harvard to Princeton to Stanford.

So, grab your chance and apply for the Advanced Placement Exams to fulfil your study abroad dream.

For any further doubts or questions regarding any study abroad, do get in touch with our counsellors at AECC and turn your dream of studying abroad into reality !!

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