Advanced Placement

WHAT IS AP?
Advanced Placement is a unique learning experience that will help students succeed in college. Through AP's college-level courses and exams, students can earn college credit and advanced placement, stand out in the admission process, and learn from some of the most skilled, dedicated, and inspiring teachers.

A Different Kind of Class
From the moment you enter an AP classroom, you'll notice the difference—in the teacher's approach to the subject, in the attitude of your classmates, in the way you start to think. In AP classrooms, the focus is not on memorizing facts and figures. Instead you'll engage in intense discussions, solve problems collaboratively, and learn to write clearly and persuasively.

Find Your Passion
With 25 courses to choose from, including World Languages, Environmental Science, and Psychology, you'll be able to explore your interests and discover new passions. In AP classes, you'll study fascinating topics and ideas that just might become the foundation of your future college major or career.

WHY AP?

Taking AP also increases eligibility for scholarships and makes candidates more attractive to colleges: 

31 percent of colleges and universities consider a student's AP experience when making decisions about which students will receive scholarships. 

85 percent of selective colleges and universities report that a student's AP experience favorably impacts admissions decisions.

What to Expect in AP Courses?

• High expectations for critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, evidence, multiple perspectives, and clear written and verbal communication
• Tests, labs, and quizzes make up the largest percentage of a student’s grade, and students receive fewer grades in general
• Students should expect to spend at least one hour (on average) of homework per night, per AP class – sometimes more
• Summer work is required for many courses
• Courses receive a 1 point grade weight toward the GPA. Students must receive a C or higher and take the AP exam to receive the grade weight. The course letter grade does not change with the weight
• Taking an AP course is a commitment and drops are rarely allowed

PREPARING FOR AP

The College Board strongly encourages high schools offering AP programs to give all willing and academically prepared students the opportunity to participate in AP. In the same manner, the College Board maintains that all students should have access to academically challenging course work which can prepare them for AP success before they enroll in AP classes.

Brownsburg High School is committed to preparing students for AP through Pre-AP classes. Students must complete Pre-AP prerequisite courses prior to enrollment in AP. Transfer students and those wishing to enroll in AP without AP prerequisites must demonstrate readiness through assessment or other means. In such instances, placement in AP is not guaranteed. The student’s best assurance for placement in AP is through success in Pre-AP classes.

Pre-AP course curricula are aligned with AP and emphasize higher-order thinking skills in problem solving and critical analysis. As students transition from Pre-AP to AP, they are better prepared for the college level standard of work required for success.

How Are AP College Credits Awarded?

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EXAMS
AP course descriptions and AP exams are prepared by College Board Development Committees, which include college and university professors and experienced AP teachers throughout the world. Most exams take three hours, while those for one-semester courses take up to two hours. Specialists from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) assist the committees in drafting new Exams each year. All AP Exams (except Studio Art) contain both multiple-choice questions, which are scored by computer, and free-response questions, which require essay writing, problem solving and other skills. The free-response booklets are evaluated by faculty consultants, college professors and AP teachers. Each response is evaluated individually by a faculty consultant who has been specifically prepared to evaluate the questions carefully and consistently. Exam fees are $101 per course.
 

Exam Scoring
Each exam is scored on the following five-point scale:
5 - EXTREMELY WELL QUALIFIED
4 - WELL QUALIFIED
3 - QUALIFIED
2 - POSSIBLY QUALIFIED
1 - NO RECOMMENDATION

Comparability studies organized by the AP Program indicate an AP grade of 3 is comparable to a college course grade of B at many colleges and universities. At other universities, an AP grade of 3 is closer to a college grade of C. Public universities in the state of Indiana accept grades of 3 or above, but each determines which AP Exam grades to accept for credit and/or advanced placement. Visit http://www.collegeboard.org/apcreditpolicy