Advanced Placement
AP at a Glance
AP at a Glance
The Advanced Placement Program® (AP) enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies while still in high school. The program consists of college-level courses developed by the AP Program that high schools can choose to offer, and corresponding exams that are administered once a year. See how your school can offer AP courses.
Fast Facts
BenefitsTaking AP courses and exams can help students:
Fast Facts
- There are 38 AP courses in seven subject categories.
- Each AP course is modeled on a comparable introductory college course in the subject. Learn how AP courses are developed.
- Each course culminates in a standardized college-level assessment, or AP Exam.
- AP Exams are given in May each year at testing locations all over the world.
- Schools must be authorized by the AP Course Audit to offer approved AP courses and use the AP designation.
BenefitsTaking AP courses and exams can help students:
- Stand out on college applications. AP courses on a student’s transcript shows that they’ve challenged themselves with the most rigorous courses available to them. And success on an AP Exam shows that they’re ready for college-level coursework.
- Earn college credit and/or skip introductory courses in college. Most four-year colleges and universities in the United States—as well as many institutions in more than 100 other countries—grant students credit, placement, or both for qualifying AP Exam scores. Search credit policies by college.
AP Proctor Resources for Exam Administration
AP Proctor Resources for Exam Administration
AP Digital Exams Proctor Exam Day Guide (coming soon)
AP Exam Instructions for foreign language & culture exams, music theory exam, and Spanish literature exam only
AP Coordinator Resource Library
AP Coordinator Resource Library
Important Updates from College Board
Important Updates from College Board
Setup, Enrollment & Ordering Resources
Setup, Enrollment & Ordering Resources
Managing Registration & Ordering
Managing Registration & Ordering