The university preparation program in the USA, Canada and the UK is Advanced Placement (AP). Advantages for admission, how to pass the exam and enroll, prices and schools.
Advanced Placement (AP) is a deep academic study of various subjects within schools in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, designed to prepare high school students for university admission. This article will elaborate on the importance of Advanced Placement courses, their key advantages for university readiness, the included subjects, and the enrollment process.
Advantages
University preparation. AP courses enhance your understanding of your chosen field and help you quickly adapt to university-level teaching. Students also cultivate skills applicable across various industries — time management, goal setting, and teamwork.
Higher admission chances. A study conducted by AP organizers revealed that 85% of select colleges and universities exhibit a greater inclination towards admitting candidates who have completed AP courses[1].
ECTS credits. Various universities offer credits for AP completion, allowing you to finish your degree earlier or transition directly from foundational to advanced subject levels.
Financial benefits. The College Board, administrator of SAT and AP, highlights that 31% of US universities emphasize AP exam results when awarding scholarships. Successfully completion of AP courses enhances the likelihood of securing financial aid.
Advanced university placement. After completing AP courses, you may have the opportunity to enroll in the second year of study at an American or Canadian university, depending on exceptional exam results and course availability.
Disadvantages
Cost. Not everyone is accustomed to the idea of paying for secondary education. In the United States and Canada, annual secondary education costs can start from 20,000 USD, occasionally surpassing even the expenses of studying at a university or college.
Limited applicability. While AP courses can be taken in other countries, their advantages are primarily concentrated within the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Enrolling in these countries provides more substantial benefits.
No guaranteed admission. The AP program does not promise university admission. Instead, it instills confidence in your knowledge and readiness for higher education.
Requires time and effort. Taking multiple AP courses, which often entails at least 2 hours of daily commitment, can adversely impact overall academic performance.
Prolonged admission process. Many schools require submitting applications a year in advance, extending the admission process.
AP curriculum
Within the AP program, students in grades 11-12 can choose several disciplines closely aligned with their prospective specialization. These subjects are explored in greater depth compared to others, corresponding to university-level complexity. Each course lasts a full school year.
The Advanced Placement (AP) program includes 38 subjects, although specific offerings vary by school.
Normally, students dedicate between 2 to 7 hours per week per subject during a session. The number of disciplines to be pursued is at the discretion of the student. However, it's advisable not to exceed five subjects, as doing so might adversely impact overall academic performance and the quality of education.
How to choose subjects
Exam outcomes play a pivotal role in guiding your subject selections, showcasing where your strengths lie. For instance, following the completion of SAT, PSAT, or NMSQT exams, your personal account will highlight your AP Potential and suggest the most suitable courses to consider.
At the end of the course, students can choose to take an optional exam for each subject and receive a grade ranging from 1 to 5 points. University admissions tend to place more value on results of 3 points or higher, surpassing the importance of a mere completion certificate.
AP Capstone Program
In 2014, the AP Capstone program was introduced alongside traditional AP course offerings. Its objective is to foster research aptitude and collaborative proficiencies. This program is accessible in both public and private schools throughout the United States and Canada, as well as other educational institutions around the world.
AP Capstone is a two-year program that includes two one-year courses: AP Seminar (practical) and AP Research (research-oriented).
Unlike the standard AP courses, Capstone offers a broad, interdisciplinary curriculum. While the conventional Advanced Placement courses delve into the comprehensive study of specific subjects like biology, history, or physics, AP Capstone can help develop various skills for studying any field:
Critical thinking
Teamwork
Research skills
Public speaking
Starting with AP Seminar and ending with a self-guided inquiry during AP Research, the program delves into a detailed exploration of diverse subjects. This includes writing essays, delivering individual and collaborative presentations, and conducting research tasks.
AP Capstone can also potentially earn you university credits, depending on the disciplines studied and content covered. Further details about the program can be found on the AP Course Ledger website.
Differences between AP and IB programs
Both Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) prepare students for higher education. Their primary value lies in nurturing critical thinking, exploration of diverse subjects, and a commitment to knowledge acquisition. However, they differ significantly in terms of content and structure. Review the differences between these two programs below:
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Advanced Placement (AP)
Program content
General education program with several compulsory subjects
Students choose and focus on subjects necessary for university admission
Structure
Year-round program for students in all grades. Mandatory exams at the end of each year
One-year program for students in grades 11-12. Optional exams at the end of the course
Participation in the AP exam is optional. Many students undertake the program to deepen their knowledge and engage with subjects they plan to study at the university. However, the opportunity to receive ECTS credits and gain an advantage in university admissions relies on successfully completing the exam.
The exam is graded on a scale of five points, where 5 is the highest and 1 is the lowest.
Favorable exam results can earn students ECTS credits. Different universities set their own criteria for credit allocation — some consider a score of "3" sufficient, while others require a "5". Achieving a "5" could streamline admission to esteemed institutions like Ivy League and Russell Group universities, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Birmingham, Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, and others[2]. The maximum number of academic credits that can be earned is up to 90 credits.
Furthermore, excellent scores can grant immediate entry to the second year of university studies, depending on institution policies and course availability. A complete list of universities and credit attainment conditions are available on the official AP website.
Exams can be taken independently of AP courses. Resources and training videos on the official website can help in preparation. However, foreign students might find it challenging to self-prepare due to the specific nature of the assignments.
Held in May, the exam is in the form of a timed test, lasting from 1.5 hours to 3 hours and 15 minutes, depending on the subject. Results are typically announced in July. If, for any reason, the exam cannot be taken at school premises, it can be administered at home — details should be confirmed with the designated AP coordinator appointed at the beginning of the program.
For exact exam dates within each subject and full topic coverage, refer to the official website.
To receive credits or enroll in advanced courses, students must independently submit their results to universities.
Note
Passing the AP exam stands as an accomplishment that increases the likelihood of university admission. The certificate obtained from the exam does not serve as a substitute for a high school diploma.
AP courses can be taken at around 650 educational institutions, with a majority situated in the United States and Canada. In other countries, the program is accessible through private institutions.
Every school offering AP courses must undergo auditing and obtain a license. You can find an official list of verified educational institutions in the AP Course Ledger section on the official website.
To partake in the program, first secure enrollment in the 11th or 12th grade at a school in the United States, Canada, or another participating country. Subsequently, proceed to apply for a course in your chosen subject.
Documents for enrollment:
Two copies of transcripts with translations in English
Language proficiency certificate TOEFL / DET (Duolingo)
SSAT / PSAT / ACT / SAT certificate with a minimum score of 1210
Teacher recommendations
Essay
Registration fee payment — 100 USD
Application deadlines vary and depend on the school. Some schools offer year-round admissions, while others might have deadlines in October or February. Enrollment decisions are typically made within three months. To attend an American school, an F1 visa is required.
Many American schools allow prospective students to take advantage of campus visits, engage with students and educators, and explore the curriculum beforehand. For those unable to visit physically, virtual tours are often available on school websites.
Step-by-step admission process
Application submission
Fill out an application on the website of your chosen school. Following this, a specialist will contact you to address any questions and clarify necessary details.
Counselor interview
Be prepared to discuss your choice of the school and expectations for your education.
Examination stage
Determine your language proficiency and take the SAT exam to assess your readiness.
Application finalization
Finalize your application through the SAO system (Standard Application Online) or the portal provided by your chosen school.
AP courses are mostly provided at no cost. However, attending school in the United States and Canada incurs significant expenses, and the program is exclusively offered at educational institutions. The tuition fee depends on factors such as school offerings, facilities, reputation, and other considerations. Annual costs range from 20000 to 60,000 USD. At institutions such as Fairmont School, additional fees may apply to AP programs — approximately 2,500 USD.
Tuition costs at schools with AP courses
School
Cost per year
Montverde Academy, United States
20,370 USD
Perkiomen School, United States
39,900 USD
Fairmont School, United States
41,650 USD
Appleby College, Canada
49,810 USD
Schools such as Montverde Academy and Perkiomen School in the United States offer financial aid and scholarships for academic achievement.
Studying abroad with UniPage
Want to study at a foreign university but don't know where to start? We can help!
Our specialists will find a university, arrange your documents, fill out the applications, and stay in touch until you receive an offer.
