Advanced Placement
Preparing Every Student for College
Starting with Pre-AP (Advanced Placement)**
Pre-AP is based on the following two important premises. The first is the expectation that all students can perform well at rigorous academic levels. This expectation should be reflected in curriculum and instruction throughout the school such that all students are consistently being challenged to expand their knowledge and skills to the next level.
The second important premise of Pre-AP is the belief that we can prepare every student for higher intellectual engagement by starting the development of skills and acquisition of knowledge as early as possible. Addressed effectively, the middle and high school years can provide a powerful opportunity to help all students acquire the knowledge, concepts, and skills needed to engage in a higher level of learning.
**College Board suggests students taking Pre-AP courses before enrolling in the vigorous work of an AP course.
Pre-AP is based on the following two important premises. The first is the expectation that all students can perform well at rigorous academic levels. This expectation should be reflected in curriculum and instruction throughout the school such that all students are consistently being challenged to expand their knowledge and skills to the next level.
The second important premise of Pre-AP is the belief that we can prepare every student for higher intellectual engagement by starting the development of skills and acquisition of knowledge as early as possible. Addressed effectively, the middle and high school years can provide a powerful opportunity to help all students acquire the knowledge, concepts, and skills needed to engage in a higher level of learning.
**College Board suggests students taking Pre-AP courses before enrolling in the vigorous work of an AP course.
AP through College Board offers high schools the ability to offer AP courses in multiple subject areas. Each course is developed by a committee composed of higher education faculty and expert AP teachers who ensure that the course reflects college- and university-level expectations. These committees define the scope and goals of the AP course, articulating what students should know and be able to do upon completing it. The committees' work is informed by data collected from a range of colleges and universities to ensure that AP courses and exams reflect current scholarship and advances in the discipline. The committee then works with ETS (Educational Testing Service) to develop multiple-choice and free-response exam questions. Committee members also write and review the course description for each subject.
AP courses are taught by highly qualified high school teachers who use the AP Course Descriptions to guide them. The course descriptions outline the course content, describe the curricular goals of the subject, and provide sample exam questions. While the course descriptions are a significant source of information about the course content on which the AP Exams will be based, AP teachers have the flexibility to determine how this content is presented.
AP courses are taught by highly qualified high school teachers who use the AP Course Descriptions to guide them. The course descriptions outline the course content, describe the curricular goals of the subject, and provide sample exam questions. While the course descriptions are a significant source of information about the course content on which the AP Exams will be based, AP teachers have the flexibility to determine how this content is presented.
AP Exams
Each AP course (each course lasts an entire school year) culminates with a nationally coordinated exam.
-AP exams for each course are prepared by the College Board Exam Development Committee.
-Most AP exams consist of a multiple choice section and a free-response section.
-Foreign language exams also include listening and speaking portions.
-Studio Art exams are based on a portfolio.
-Exams are typically three hours in length.
-Exams fees are set by the College Board. The state of Arkansas currently pays the exam fee for students who are present the day of the
AP exam.
-Exams are given in May on a prescribed national schedule.
Each AP course (each course lasts an entire school year) culminates with a nationally coordinated exam.
-AP exams for each course are prepared by the College Board Exam Development Committee.
-Most AP exams consist of a multiple choice section and a free-response section.
-Foreign language exams also include listening and speaking portions.
-Studio Art exams are based on a portfolio.
-Exams are typically three hours in length.
-Exams fees are set by the College Board. The state of Arkansas currently pays the exam fee for students who are present the day of the
AP exam.
-Exams are given in May on a prescribed national schedule.
How are exams graded and scores reported?
Each AP exam grade is a weighted combination of the student's score on the multiple choice section and on the free-response section.
The final grade is reported on a 5-point scale:
5=extremely well qualified
4=well qualified
3=qualified
2=possibly qualified
1=no recommendation
Exam scores are sent in July to the college/university designated on the student's answer sheet, to the student's secondary school, and to the student.
How are AP grades reported on a transcript? (Students must complete the AP course and take the AP exam in order to receive the weighted grade on their transcript.)
Because of the rigor of AP courses, all AP courses carry weighted grades.
A=5 B=4 C=3 D=2 F=0
AP HONOR WALL
Students who participate the AP Program may be honored by the College Board in the following manner:
AP Scholar--Granted to students who receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams on full-year courses.
AP Scholar with Honor--Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams on full-year courses.
AP Scholar with Distinction--Granted to students who receive an average grade point of 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams on full-year courses.
AP National Scholar--Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 4 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on 8 or more exams on full year-year courses.
Each AP exam grade is a weighted combination of the student's score on the multiple choice section and on the free-response section.
The final grade is reported on a 5-point scale:
5=extremely well qualified
4=well qualified
3=qualified
2=possibly qualified
1=no recommendation
Exam scores are sent in July to the college/university designated on the student's answer sheet, to the student's secondary school, and to the student.
How are AP grades reported on a transcript? (Students must complete the AP course and take the AP exam in order to receive the weighted grade on their transcript.)
Because of the rigor of AP courses, all AP courses carry weighted grades.
A=5 B=4 C=3 D=2 F=0
AP HONOR WALL
Students who participate the AP Program may be honored by the College Board in the following manner:
AP Scholar--Granted to students who receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams on full-year courses.
AP Scholar with Honor--Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams on full-year courses.
AP Scholar with Distinction--Granted to students who receive an average grade point of 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams on full-year courses.
AP National Scholar--Granted to students who receive an average grade of at least 4 on all AP exams taken, and grades of 4 or higher on 8 or more exams on full year-year courses.