There has long been a rumor circulating that Advanced Placement tests offer little value for students planning to attend highly selective colleges. In this article, we look at several highly selective colleges’ current AP test policies.
While APs are common in most U.S. public and private high schools, some elite high schools are moving away from an emphasis on AP curriculum and testing. Some high schools find that the AP curriculum is overly restrictive of teachers and fosters a teaching-to-the-test philosophy at odds with quality education. Others argue that the College Board’s AP program helps equalize opportunity and access to challenging courses for U.S. students.
Homeschoolers face unique challenges accessing AP test sites. While homeschoolers can register for the ACT or SAT online through company websites, no such system exists for AP test registration. Homeschool parents must individually contact public and private schools in their area and see if they have extra space, which will allow a homeschooler to sit for the test. In a few states, access to AP testing is guaranteed for homeschoolers, which is required by state law. However, in most states, homeschool parents are left in a difficult situation, having to beg local schools to allow their students to take tests.
High Schools and Colleges Dropping APs
A few notable US colleges have dropped credits for AP exams. These schools include Brown, Dartmouth, Caltech, Amherst, and Williams. Students applying to these colleges may still find that the colleges recognize the rigor of their AP high school work for admissions purposes, but they do not grant credits for AP exams. In some instances, APs may still be used to determine placement for some subjects.
While some colleges do not offer AP credits, some students may be surprised to learn that the majority of public and private colleges in the U.S. continue to offer credit for APs. Each college sets its own individual policies for awarding credit, and it often revises these policies annually.
AP scores are also helpful to US applicants who plan to apply to colleges in Canada, the UK, or Europe. Many universities have specific admissions requirements for US students, including submitting qualifying AP or IB exam scores.
AP Scoring and Subjects
AP test scores are on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest score a student can receive on the exam. Students do not automatically earn college credits by taking the exam or earning a particular score. Rather, each individual college sets its policies for awarding AP credits. Colleges typically look at how the AP curriculum aligns with the expectations for each of their department’s introductory courses.
Most colleges in the US offer credit for scores of 3, 4, or 5. Some only offer credits for higher scores of 4 or 5; in some cases, just 5s receive credit. AP tests are available in every core subject area (math, English, science, social science, foreign language) and in specialized subjects such as computer science, art, and music theory.
AP Credit Policies
To evaluate the value of APs for earning college credit, I surveyed credit policies for one AP course at several highly selective colleges. BC Calculus is a test taken by over 130,000 students each year. The course covers roughly the content of two semesters of college calculus. Let’s look at the credit value of BC Calculus at several highly selective colleges.
Listed below are the college name, required AP score to receive credit, and credits awarded (course credits). Note colleges regularly revise their AP policies, so be check the college’s website for the most up-to-date information.
Carleton College
– Required Score: 4 or 5
– Credits Awarded: 12 credits Math 111, 121
Cornell University
– Required Score: 4 or 5 (5 required for engineering majors)
– Credits Awarded: 8 credits (4 credits for Math 1110 and 4 credits for Math 1120)
Duke University
– Required Score: 4 or 5
– Credits Awarded: 2.0 credits (equivalent to Math 21)
Emory University
– Required Score: 4 or 5
– Credits Awarded: 6 credits (equivalent to Math 111 and Math 112z)
Stanford University
– Required Score: 4 or 5
– Credits Awarded: 5= 10 quarter units (equivalent to Math 19, 20, and 21), 4= 6 quarter units (equivalent to Math 19, 20)
Johns Hopkins University
– Required Score: 3, 4, or 5
– Credits Awarded: 3 or 4= 4 credits (equivalent to AS.110.08), 5= 8 credits (equivalent to AS 110.08 and AS 110.09)
Georgia Tech
– Required Score: 4 or 5
– Credits Awarded: 6 credits (equivalent to Math 1551, 1552)
Yale University
– Required Score: 4 or 5
– Credits Awarded: 4=1 credit (equivalent of MA 115 or MA 116). 5= 2 credits (equivalent of MA 115, MA 116, MA 118)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
– Required Score: 5
– Credits Awarded: 12 units (equivalent to Math 18.01)
Carnegie Mellon University
– Required Score: 4 or 5
– Credits Awarded: 4 = 10 units (equivalent to 21-120), 5 = 20 units (equivalent of 21-120 and 21-122)
University of Michigan
– Required Score: 4 or 5
– Credits Awarded: 4= 2 credits (equivalent to Math 120) 5=4 credits (equivalent to Math 120 and Math 121)
This survey confirms that many highly selective colleges continue to value the AP curriculum and award credit to students who earn strong scores on AP tests. Students in some majors will find this will fully meet their math requirements during college.
Some exams are considered more rigorous and more likely to earn credit than those in other subject areas. Each college decides how they will use these credits. Some universities exempt students from core requirements, some offer general credits, and some determine the type and amount of credits awarded based on student performance in subsequent courses. Colleges can also set their caps on the total number of AP credits used toward a college degree. In these situations, students may find they hit limits of credits after four or five qualifying AP scores.
Final Thought
Whether AP scores result in less time in college or not, many homeschoolers find them helpful in demonstrating “outside validation” of the student’s transcript for admissions purposes. AP scores can provide a standardized measure of academic achievement, which may make admissions officers more comfortable admitting students with unconventional transcripts. APs aren’t a fit for every homeschooled student, though. Some may find they get equally strong preparation through self-created or dual enrollment courses.
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