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Compare Aid Awards

When all financial aid award letters are in, compare aid awards and find the best package for your family.

Expert Advice

"Freshmen need to work out their program of study even before they begin high school to ensure they will have room in their schedules to cover all the courses colleges require."
Iris Schrey, Counselor, William Jones College Prep

Meet AP® Exams

Taking the College Challenge with the AP Program

AP courses are college-level courses in a wide variety of subject areas that students can take while still in high school. They offer your child challenging course work and a taste of what college classes are like.

AP Exams

At the conclusion of an AP course, students have the opportunity to take the corresponding AP Exam. AP Exams are two- to three-hour exams, given in May. They are made up of multiple-choice and free-response (essay) questions. They're scored on a scale of 1 to 5.

The fee for each exam is $87. If your family has financial need, you or your child may want to contact the AP Coordinator at your child's school about a fee reduction.

AP Course Difficulty

AP courses are usually more demanding than regular high school courses. Most AP classes are comparable to first-year college courses. They aren't easy, but they aren't impossible either.

Benefits of Taking an AP Course

The extra effort and time your child puts into an AP course are definitely worth it. Consider these benefits:

  • AP courses offer the opportunity to study a subject in depth, at the college level, thus better preparing your child for college work.
  • On receiving a qualifying score on an AP Exam, your child may be eligible for credit, advanced placement or both at a majority of colleges in the United States.  
  • The AP Program offers a number of AP Scholar Awards to students for outstanding performance on AP Exams. This achievement is noted on the student’s AP score report and recognized by colleges.

Enrolling in an AP Course

First, your child should contact an AP teacher, the school’s AP Coordinator or the school counselor to discuss enrolling. Your child needs their input, and yours, to decide whether taking an AP course would be a positive educational experience. It is important to be sure that your child can handle the workload.

Signing Up for an AP Exam

Ask your child's AP teacher or school AP Coordinator when in May the AP Exam is being offered at school, and how to register for it.

You and your child can visit our student guide to the AP Program to see the complete AP subject list and read course descriptions.