AP Frequently Asked Questions

An AP course is comparable to a course taught at any college or university.  AP courses are much more rigorous than high school college prep courses.  In all AP courses, students learn how to think critically and write clearly.

Committee members, sponsored by the College Board, put together a set of topics and objectives for each AP course.  Our AP teachers use these topics and objectives as a guideline for their curriculum.  The AP exams which are administered during the first weeks of May are comprised of problems from these objectives.  If a student passes an AP exam, then he/she may receive college credit.

In order to be permitted to use College Board's AP designation, all Parkview AP teachers have submitted syllabi for their courses, which have been approved by College Board.

Earn College Credit and Advanced Placement

• Receive recognition from more than 3,600 colleges and universities that annually receive AP Exam scores. Over 90% of 4-year colleges in the U.S. provide credit and/or advanced placement for qualifying scores.
• Have time to move into upper-level courses in your field of interest, pursue a double major, or study abroad.
• Design a college experience that suits you and gives you the flexibility to get the most out of your college years.

Stand Out in the College Admissions Process

• Demonstrate your maturity and readiness for college.
• Show your willingness to take the most rigorous courses available to you.
• Emphasize your commitment to academic excellence.

Gain Skills that Will Help You Succeed in College

• Get a head start on college-level work.
• Improve your writing skills and sharpen your problem-solving techniques.
• Develop the study habits necessary for tackling rigorous course work.

Broaden Your Intellectual Horizons

• Be part of a community of students and educators who are passionate, curious, and committed to academic excellence
• Engage in intense discussions, solve problems collaboratively, and learn to write clearly and persuasively
• Take courses that are developed by leading professors to reflect the level of learning happening at colleges throughout the country.

(from Explore AP from the College Board)

Advanced Placement courses are just that: advanced. So, expect a challenge. You might find that your grade is lower than you are used to in an honors or CP class, and for that reason Gwinnett County Schools gives students ten extra points at the end of each semester’s AP class grade. A grade of 75 becomes an 85 at the end of the semester with the ten points added, for example.

Expect to have more work each night than in non-AP courses, often an hour for each AP course for each hour spent in class. Students who have a job and work more than 20 hours a week or spend more than three hours a day with extracurricular activities or sports will find time management a challenge.

While colleges look for students to challenge themselves with AP courses, it is also important to consider what you are comfortable with. Some highly motivated, high achieving students can manage five and six AP courses while other students may find two to three to be an appropriate challenge for them. 

By enrolling in and passing each semester of an AP course, you earn high school credit. In order to receive college credit, you must take the AP exam in that course in May and earn a 3 or higher. You must check with the college you are interested in attending to know what they accept for credit. More information: Getting Credit and Placement – AP Students | College Board

While there is no fee for the class, there is a fee for the test. Currently, students may take their first test for only and administrative fee of $10; every other test they take that year is $91. So, if you are taking three AP classes this year, you would pay $10+$91+91. Students who are eligible for free or reduced lunch also get a reduction on their test fees. 

HOPE Scholarships require a 3.0 average. In the HOPE Scholarship calculation, the extra ten points are not counted, but you get an extra 0.5 points added for AP courses.

For example, if your grade in the course is an 85, with the ten points you will have a 95 on your transcript. HOPE does not count the extra 10 points, but calculates the 85 as 3.0. Then, 0.5 is added since it is an AP course, which would make your grade in the course for HOPE calculations 3.5.

AP exam registration will begin during semester 2. Please watch your email and ParentSquare/StudentSquare account for details about when and how to register for exams. If you have questions about AP testing, please contact susan.estock@gcpsk12.org.