<p>I’m sorry for those of you who may think I’m a total numbskull (so what if I am?), but I was wondering about AP exams and how the whole process works. I’m homeschooled so I don’t know a whole lot about AP, but I know that it’s very helpful in getting into a good college. I’d appreciate it if someone could describe what an AP exam is, how often they’re given, and if, as a homeschooled student, I’d be able to take the exam without taking a class for it. Any website link which has this info is also appreciated. Thank you.</p>
<p>It’s not helpful for getting in. It’s helpful if they accept good scores and place you out of intro-level classes.</p>
<p>I’m not sure about homeschooling and APs (like whether you are technically able to or not), but AP courses are not required. My school offers no AP courses, yet many students take them and many students get 5s, most get 4s or 5s. So taking an official AP course is not a prerequisite to doing well! </p>
<p>The AP tests your mastery of the course material at a college level. It is graded on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest. On some tests you need 80% to get a 5 (English Language, I believe). On others, 50% will suffice (Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism). The percentage of students who get each score also varies by individual test. They are administered in May every year, and there is one makeup date in late May (or early June, I don’t know). The exams typically last 3-4 hours, except for a few that last 1.5 hours (Physics C: Mechanics and Physics C: E&M). They are available for tons of different subjects, from History to Art History and from English Language to Latin. They are also typically somewhat challenging at least, because you are supposedly taking a college-level test, although they seem a bit too easy for that in my opinion. Anyway, they are more challenging than the SAT IIs (usually), so there is some indicator for you.</p>
<p>They are usually composed of two sections that have equal weight in the final score: Multiple Choice and Free Response. The MC is self-explanatory. The FR differs greatly by test. On Humanities tests, you will typically be writing essays. On math/science ones, you will typically be solving problems that require you to show your work. It is different for each test. On Language tests, there might be an essay, but also an oral examination component to the FR section as well.</p>
<p>Check collegeboard.com for more information.</p>
<p>When in doubt, look up Wikipedia!
[Advanced</a> Placement Program - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Placement_Program]Advanced”>Advanced Placement - Wikipedia)
:)</p>
<p>Thanks. So when is the exam given? Can I take it any time of the school year?</p>
<p>The tests are given kind of at the beginning of may.</p>
<p>Here’s the direct link to the College Board’s website on AP tests. it will answer all of your questions:</p>
<p>[AP:</a> About the Advanced Placement Program](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Get the Most Out of AP – AP Students | College Board)</p>
<p>Beginning of May…ugh… well then nevermind the whole post. This sucks… Thanks worriedmom.</p>
<p>Are you a rising senior? You can still take them. </p>
<p>Again, I say that they do NOT HELP in admissions by any significant amount, ESPECIALLY because you are homeschooled and they do not assume that you have tons of resources to take the AP tests. They DO help in college course placement. Take them anyway.</p>
<p>I will be a senior this year, and will fit in as many AP courses as I can, but if they don’t help me get into a good college, then I won’t worry too much about not being able to take the exams before sending my college apps in.</p>
<p>Well, you can’t so you shouldn’t worry about them. 
But, it will still be worth it to take them if you want to be placed out of intro-level courses.</p>