Advanced Placement (AP)

The AP Program offers college-level courses and exams that you can take in high school.

Research consistently shows that AP students are better prepared for college than students who don’t take AP, regardless of their exam score. They’re more likely to enroll and stay in college, do well in their classes, and graduate in four years. Taking AP can help you:

• Get a Taste of College. Get familiar with college-level work—and boost your confidence by tackling it.
• Develop College Skills. Time management, critical thinking, scholarly writing—AP courses and exams help you hone the skills you’ll need in college and career.
• Discover Your Passion. Studying a subject in depth could give you new insights and even put you on the path to a career.
• Boost your GPA. Taking an AP course and exam can boost your GPA. 

Taking AP courses and exams in high school could give you an advantage in college by letting you:

• Earn College Credit and Placement. Your AP score could earn you college credits before you even set foot on campus. In fact, most AP students who enroll in four-year colleges start school with some credit.
• Save Money and Time. Earning credit or placement can open up time on your schedule or even let you graduate college early.
• Stand Out to Colleges. “AP” on your high school transcript shows colleges you're motivated to succeed, and taking the exam demonstrates your commitment to tackle and complete college-level work.
• Keep Your Options Open. Earning college credit with AP can give you the flexibility to change majors, pursue a second degree, study abroad, or seek internships.

Nearly all colleges and universities in the United States grant credit and placement for qualifying AP scores. Use College Board's tool to find colleges you’re interested in and see what you could earn with AP.