The AP Program - Resources for Parents and Families

Sep 20, 2026

Upload by Sarah

Advanced Placement (AP) is an academic program enabling motivated and prepared high school students to pursue college-level studies, with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both. AP Exams are administered each year in May, and a score of 3 or higher can typically lead to college credit or placement. The guide addresses common myths, explains benefits in admissions and financial outcomes, highlights lifelong skills, and provides practical tips for AP success with resources and support options for families.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

What Is AP?

Myth vs Reality

Benefits of AP

Exploring the Benefits

Tips for AP Success

AP Resources and Support

The AP® Program: Resources for Parents and Families I chose to take AP courses because I love to challenge myself ... I feel thoroughly prepared for college because of the rigor of my AP classes. Anica, Senior, Denver In 2013, over 1 million U. S. public high school graduates took at least one AP Exam.1 What Is AP? The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program® (AP® ) enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies — with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement or both — while still in high school. AP Exams are given each year in May. A score of 3 or higher on an AP Exam can typically earn students college credit and/or placement into advanced courses in college. Myth Reality | AP is for students who always get good grades. | AP courses are for any student who is academically prepared and motivated to take on college-level courses. | | --- | --- | | Taking AP courses could hurt my child’s GPA. | Many schools use GPA weighting to acknowledge the additional effort required by AP. In addition, a decision to take an AP course shows admission officers a willingness to take on the academic challenge of college-level course work and expectations. | | AP courses are too stressful. | It’s no secret that AP courses are challenging, but the support students receive from their classmates and teachers can help ease their worries. | | I don’t know if my child will score high enough on theAP Exam to get college credit. | You don’t need to score a 5. Many colleges grant credit— and placement as well — based on a 3 or better on an AP Exam. | Did your child take the PSAT/NMSQT®? Performance on this test can be an indicator of success in specific AP courses. Talk to your child’s counselor for details or go to [collegeboard.org/quickstart](collegeboard.org/quickstart). Benefits of AP 1 AP can set students apart in the college admission process. Students who take AP courses send a signal to colleges that they’re serious about their education and that they’re willing to challenge themselves with rigorous course work. Eighty-five percent of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions2. 2 The financial benefits of AP are important to consider. Students who take five years or more to graduate can spend $21,500 for each additional year in college, to cover tuition, fees, living expenses, transportation and other costs3. Research shows that students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a college degree on time4. 3 AP teaches more than subject-area facts. Students build skills that last a lifetime. AP courses give students access to rigorous college-level work, but with the support of highschool teachers and peers. Students build confidence and learn the essential time management and study skills needed for college and career success. Students have the opportunity to dig deeper into subjects that interest them, develop advanced research and communication skills, and learn to tap their creativity and their problem-solving and analytical skills to address course challenges. AP students learn what will be expected of them in college. Exploring the Benefits College credit for qualifying APExam scores Competitive advantagesin the college admission and scholarship process Better preparation for college-level work An opportunity to deeply explore subjects students enjoy Opportunities to advance further and faster once a student is enrolled in college Tips for AP Success Sometimes all it takes is a little encouragement. Often, students don’t believe that they’re AP “material.” But the truth is that many students have the ability and motivation to succeed in AP courses, if they give themselves a chance. Students do need solid academic preparation and, of course, the commitment to meet the challenge head on. Parents can build students’ confiden

FAQs

What does the AP Program let students do while still in high school?

AP enables willing and academically prepared students to pursue college-level studies in high school, with opportunities to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both.

How do AP scores typically affect college credit or placement?

AP Exams are given each year in May, and a score of 3 or higher can typically earn students college credit and/or placement into advanced courses in college.

How can parents help their child succeed in AP courses?

Parents can encourage students to consider courses aligned with interests and strengths, set reasonable expectations for outside reading and research, support study plans with home study spaces, and discuss course mapping with counselors early on.

Sep 20, 2026

Upload by Sarah