• AP courses strengthen your college applications by showcasing your ability to handle challenging material and your commitment to academic growth.
• Successfully completing AP exams can earn you college credit and advanced placement, saving time and money in college.
• AP courses provide rigorous, college-level coursework that can enhance your critical thinking and study skills.

There are currently 38 AP courses offered by the College Board.

Arts

• AP Art History
• AP Music Theory
• AP Studio Art: 2-D Design
• AP Studio Art: 3-D Design
• AP Studio Art: Drawing

English

• AP English Language and Composition
• AP English Literature and Composition

History & Social Sciences

• AP Comparative Government and Politics
• AP European History
• AP Human Geography
• AP Macroeconomics
• AP Microeconomics
• AP Psychology
• AP United States Government and Politics
• AP United States History
• AP World History: Modern

Math & Computer Science

• AP Calculus AB
• AP Calculus BC
• AP Computer Science A
• AP Computer Science Principles
• AP Statistics

Sciences

• AP Biology
• AP Chemistry
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
• AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based
• AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
• AP Physics C: Mechanics

World Languages & Cultures

• AP Chinese Language and Culture
• AP French Language and Culture
• AP German Language and Culture
• AP Italian Language and Culture
• AP Japanese Language and Culture
• AP Latin
• AP Spanish Language and Culture
• AP Spanish Literature and Culture

Yes, you can take AP courses outside your school. You can take AP courses online through accredited providers such as the College Board’s AP Online Providers, or through community colleges. Online courses offer flexibility and a wide range of subjects, making them a great alternative for students whose schools have limited AP offerings.

To register for an AP exam outside your school:

1. Contact AP Services for Students to find a nearby school that administers the exam.
2. Get permission from the school to test there.
3. Follow their registration process and pay the exam fee.

If your school does not offer the AP course you want, consider:

• Enrolling in an online AP course. College Board’s AP Course Ledger lists authorized secondary school courses offered worldwide.
• Taking the course at a local community college.
• Self-studying for the AP exam using textbooks and online resources.

For students aiming to attend top universities, achieving high scores on AP exams is often essential. Generally, top universities look for AP scores of 4 or 5. However, the specific score requirements can vary depending on the university and the program you are applying to. It’s important to check the AP credit policies of the universities you are interested in to understand how they value AP scores and which scores are necessary for credit or placement.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but competitive students aiming for top universities often take between 5-12 AP courses throughout high school. Balance is key; consider your ability to handle rigorous coursework while maintaining good grades and participating in extracurricular activities.

Engineering

• Calculus AB or BC
• Physics C: Mechanics and/or Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
• Chemistry
• Computer Science A
• Statistics

Business

• Calculus AB or BC
• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Statistics
• Computer Science Principles

Pre-Med

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics 1 or Physics 2 (or Physics C)
• Calculus AB or BC
• Psychology

Computer Engineering

• Calculus AB or BC
• Physics C: Mechanics and/or Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
• Computer Science A
• Computer Science Principles
• Statistics

Psychology

• Psychology
• Statistics
• Biology
• English Language and Composition
• English Literature and Composition

Biomedical Engineering

• Calculus AB or BC
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics C: Mechanics and/or Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
• Statistics

Aerospace Engineering

• Calculus AB or BC
• Physics C: Mechanics and/or Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
• Chemistry
• Computer Science A
• Statistics

Nursing

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Psychology
• Statistics
• English Language and Composition

Architecture

• Calculus AB or BC
• Physics 1 or Physics 2
• Art History
• Studio Art: 2-D Design or 3-D Design
• Environmental Science