What is AP (Advanced Placement)?
Advanced Placement (AP) is a program created by the College Board to assess and challenge the academic aptitude and merit of students in terms of college-level coursework while still in their high school years. In this competitive landscape of education, students are always on the look for opportunities for upskilling themselves into higher levels of merit and confidence.
The Advance Placement (AP) program allows high schools to offer college-level courses to high school students. It also enables the students to garner college credits and advanced placement opportunities by enrolling in courses. These courses require the students to take the standardized tests after completing their high-school level Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
This program covers a wide range of subjects, such as English, mathematics, social studies, sciences, foreign languages, etc. These subjects are taught on a level that is parallel to the college-level studies, enabling the university-level courses to be offered at the secondary level to the students pursuing advanced placement opportunities. Grade 9 and above students are eligible to take up Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
This blog explains the Important AP Exam Dates And Benefits
Quick Facts About Advanced Placement (AP):
There are 7 major subject areas where the Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered to students. The key feature of this program is that every AP course for a certain subject is crafted in such a way that it mimics one college course in that particular subject.
An assessment is conducted at the end of each AP course called the Advanced Placement (AP) exam. These assessments are evaluated on a score range of 1 to 5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest possible score one can achieve. These AP exams are conducted annually in May at designated examination centers.
AP Exam Dates 2024 :
The Advanced Placement (AP) exams in 2024 will be administered over two weeks in May:
· May 6-10
· May 13–17
Following is the schedule for Week 1 and Week 2 of the Advanced Placement (AP) exam for 2024:
<Week 1 Schedule>
AP Art and Design: The due date and time for the AP Art and Design exam is Friday, May 10, 2024 (8 p.m. ET). The students pursuing AP Art and Design must submit three portfolio components as a final assessment in the AP Digital Portfolio.
<Week 2 Schedule>
Start Times:
The Advanced Placement (AP) exams have local commencement timings and the duration may be up to one hour after the official commencement time. During the regularly scheduled exam administration, the exams can be commenced between:
· 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. local time for exams in the morning session
· 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time for exams in the afternoon session
· 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. local time for the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exams.
Benefits of the AP Program:
- Academic Rigor: The AP program and the courses associated with intense rigor. As they navigate through college-level curricula and courses while being in secondary school, students can develop critical thinking ability, problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and cognitive reasoning contributing to their all-round development.
- College Credit: One of the most significant advantages of the AP program is the opportunity for students to earn college credit. Many colleges and universities offer credit for advanced placement to students who perform well and achieve high scores on the AP assessments. This can significantly save time and tuition costs, thereby allowing students to skip through the introductory-level college courses.
- College Preparation: AP exams are a great opportunity for students, providing students with a preview of the increasing academic demands on higher levels of education in colleges and universities. Through the experience of navigating challenging coursework and standardized testing, students gain valuable preparation for the academic rigors of higher education.
- College Applications: College and university admissions require a series of evaluation processes such as standardized tests, interviews, and checks to identify and confirm the grit and merit of students for the coursework they applied for. Completing AP courses and earning high scores demonstrates a student’s commitment to academic excellence and can strengthen their college applications.
Tips to Succeed In AP Exams:
Here are 5 tips to ensure success in AP Exams:
- Practice: No amount of energy or enthusiasm can be sufficient if there is not enough practice on the subjects and assessments. Familiarize with the concepts thoroughly and engage in dedicated and focused practice sessions reinforcing the concepts and principles of the subjects to be well-prepared for the exam.
- Start Early: Plan accordingly for an AP program at an early stage. Evaluate the Pros and Cons involved in enrolling in an AP program and make a calculated decision. Once decided, start off early to gain a greater edge and advantage over time and energy. Students who start early demonstrate higher levels of competence and energy in terms of actively pursuing a course and advancing deeper into the subjects.
- Organized Efforts: Plan meticulously the amount of time, effort, and resources required for each of the subjects involved, craft a schedule, and stick by it throughout to ensure consistency and commitment to the course. This allows a disciplined approach toward achieving the goal, whether a higher score or admission into a desired college and university.
- Seek Support: One of the most important requirements for a thorough and stress-free preparation for exams is support. It is essential to seek support whenever required, whether from the online AP tutor, friends, family, seniors, or peers. With the right guidance and adequate support, one can ace the course in full vigor and confidence.
