ADVANCED PLACEMENT-AP COURSES

Students may self-study on their own in their attempt to earn college credit. About 50% of the nation's 21,265 high schools offer AP course work. In 1999, more than 704,000 students in over 12,000 schools took over one million tests. One in three students takes at least one AP course prior to graduation from an American high school. Each test costs $82 ($52 per test if student is qualified for fee reductions) to take and is administered in early May; the tests are designed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). AP Facts

Course descriptions and outlines are available at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/subjects.html or http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/courses/descriptions?course=all&posted=1 The exams are scored on a 1 to 5 scale (5=Extremely Well-Qualified, 4=Well Qualified, 3=Qualified, 2=Possibly Qualified and 1=No Recommendation); most colleges/universities will grant credit for a 3 or above; Ivy League schools and other prestigious school like Stanford may require a 4 or above for credit. Each college/university has their own policies. There are 34 assorted advanced placement tests in 19 subject areas. There is also an Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID). Here are the subjects and tests:

ENGLISH

AP English/English Language/English Literature/International English Language-2 sections: Section I-55 questions (1 hour)-45%; Section II-3 essays (2 hours)-55%. International English Language has 2 sections: Section I-80 questions (85 minutes)-50%; Section II-Writing (80 minutes) and Speaking (15 minutes)-50%.

SCIENCE

Biology-2 Sections: Section I-120 questions (90 minutes)-60%; Section II-4 mandatory essays (90 minutes)-40%.

Chemistry-2 Sections: Section I-75 questions (90 minutes)-45% (no calculators); Section II-Part A-2 problems (1 required/40 minutes), Part B-5 of 8 options in one required question/1 other required question/2 of 4 other questions-(50 minutes)-55%.

Physics B: Physics C: Mechanics/Electricity & Magnetism-2 Sections: Section I-35 questions (45 minutes)-no calculators-50%; Section II-3 questions (45 minutes) with calculators-50%.

Environmental Science-2 Sections: Section I-100 questions (90 minutes)-60%; Section II-4 mandatory questions (90 minutes)-40%.

MATHEMATICS

Calculus AB-2 Sections: Section I-Part A-no calculator-28 questions (55 minutes); Part B-Graphing Calculator required-17 questions (50 minutes)-50%; Section II-6 problems (90 minutes)-Graphic Calculator required-50%/Calculus BC-same format as above.

Statistics-2 Sections: Section I-35 multiple-choice questions (90 minutes)-50%; Section II-6 free-response questions (90 minutes)-50%.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Economics-Microeconomics/Macroeconomics-2 Sections: Section I-60 questions (70 minutes)-66.66%; Section II-3 required essays with a 10 minute reading period(120 minutes)-33.33%.

European History-2 Sections: Section I-80 questions (55 minutes)-50%; Section II-2 essays (115 minutes inlcudes a 15 minute reading period)-50%.

Comparative Government & Politics/U.S. Government & Politics-2 Sections: Section I-60 questions (45 minutes)-50%; Section II-4 mandatory essays (100 minutes)-50%.

Psychology-2 sections: Section I-100 questions (70 minutes)-66.66%; Section II-2 essays (50 minutes)-33.33%.

U.S. History-2 Sections: Section I-80 questions (55 minutes)-50%; Section II-2 essays after 15 minute reading period (115 minutes)-50%.

Human Geography-3 questions-60 minutes

World History-70 multiple choice questions in 55 minutes-3 essay questions-50, 40 and 40 minutes

COMPUTER

Computer Science A/Computer Science AB (C++)-2 Sections: Section I-40 questions (75 minutes)-50%; Section II-4 questions (105 minutes)-50%. (Large Integer Case Study)

LANGUAGES

Chinese-New for 2006-2007

AP French/French Language/French Literature-2 Sections: Section I-82 questions (84 minutes)-50%; Section II-Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (15 minutes)-50% for Language portion. Literature portion-2 sections: Section I-68 questions (80 minutes)-40%; Section II-Directed Textual Analysis/1 essay (100 minutes)-60%.

German Language-2 sections: Section I-65 questions (80 minutes); Section II-Writing (50 minutes) and Speaking (20 minutes).

Italian-New for 2005-2006

Japanese-New for 2006-2007

Latin-Vergil/Literature-2 Sections: Section I-45 questions (50 minutes)-40%; Section II-15 minute reading period-4 Vergil questions or 3 of 9 Catullus questions (105 questions)-60%.

Russian-New for 2005-2006

Spanish/Spanish Language/Spanish Literature-2 Sections: Section I-90 questions (90 minutes)-50%; Section II-Writing (60 minutes) and Speaking (20 minutes)-50% for Language portion. Literature portion has 65 questions in Section I (80 minutes)-45% and Section II-3 essays (100 minutes).

ART/MUSIC

Art/History of Art/Studio Art-2 Sections: Section I-Part A: 4 sets of questions based upon slides (16 minutes), Part B: 86 questions (44 minutes)-40%; Section II-Part A: 4 short essays based upon slides (60 minutes), Part B: 2 essays-30 minutes each (60 minutes)-60% for history portion. For Studio Art portfolio, computer-generated art may be submitted for the general portfolio, but not the drawing portfolio. Maximum number of slides is 16 for both portfolios.

Music Theory-3 Sections: Section I-81 questions (90 minutes)-45%; Section II-6 exercises (60 minutes)-45% and Section III-2 sight-singing exercises (8 minutes per candidate)-10%.

Mr. Taylor has discovered several websites that may assist self-motivated students to succeed on these exams. They are:

AP Biology http://apbio.biosci.uga.edu/whatsnew/index.html and http://www.users.nac.net/challoran/apbio.htm and http://www.sc2000.net/~czaremba/ and http://www.c4.net/dyhsci/clapbio.htm and http://www.guilford.k12.ct.us/~faitschb/ http://www.winterwren.com/apbio/home/links.html and http://biology.about.com/od/apbiology/ and http://www.sirinet.net/~jgjohnso/ and http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Los_Angeles_HS/Faculty/Langton/Biology.htm and http://www.accessexcellence.org/TC/AP/ and http://www.jdenuno.com/APBiology/APBIO.htm andhttp://k12.albemarle.org/Instruction/apbiology/

AP Chemistry www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/8130 and http://www.shs.nebo.edu/Faculty/Haderlie/apchem/apchem.html and http://www.apchemistry.com/ and http://www.tvgreen.com/apchem/apchem.htm and http://members.tripod.com/~EppE/ and http://www.sciencegeek.net/APchemistry/index.shtml and http://www.chemmybear.com/ and http://www.chemistrycoach.com/home.htm

AP Physics http://www.frontiernet.net/~jlkeefer/aphysics.htm and http://apphysicsb.homestead.com/ and http://www.iguanasuite.net/physics/ and http://home.hockaday.org/HockadayNet/academic/physics/apphysics/taylorsclass.html and http://members.aol.com/swayne/Blueskies.html and http://dgende.homestead.com/tutorial.html and http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/gstimson/APphysics.htm and http://www.lewport.wnyric.org/mgagnon/apmain.html and http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/vnhs/physics/_apphysics.html and http://www.la.mvla.k12.ca.us/Curric/Science/APPhysics/

AP Environmental Science http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/cvisco/apenviro.htm and http://www.longwood.k12.ny.us/lhs/science/apes/ and http://www.geocities.com/aidnas02/ and http://www.villagegreen.net/vg/teachers/sikes/apenv/ and http://www.unckless.com/envsci/ and http://www.pacificap.org/bapes.htm and http://www.usoe.k12.ut.us/curr/science/core/AP/APpage.html

AP Calculus http://mathforum.org/sum95/mike/calc_AP.html and http://www.batesville.k12.in.us/physics/calcnet/ and http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/6432/ and http://homepages.seresc.net/~sray/alvirne.html and http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Lab/2619/ and http://www.calculus-help.com/index.html and http://users.adelphia.net/~sismondo/ and http://mrsroberts.com/MrsRoberts/Calculus/calculus.htm and http://www.mecca.org/~halfacre/MATH/calc.htmand http://mathforum.org/epigone/ap-calcand http://peggymullins.tripod.com/apcalculus.htmand http://www.alohaschool.net/apcalc/and http://www.hsd.k12.or.us/schools/ghs/staff/abel/homework/hwresource.htmland http://math.rice.edu/~lanius/misc/calcu.html

Calculus www.calculus.net Math Tutorials

AP Statistics www.bbns.org/us/math/ap_stats and http://www.newbedford.k12.ma.us/srhigh/apstats/apstats.htm and http://www.lhs.logan.k12.ut.us/~jsmart/stats.html and http://mathforum.org/epigone/apstat-l and http://www.marymount.k12.ny.us/marynet/StudentResources/technology/ClIXEbiz98/ahvm/html/apstat.htm and http://a-s.clayton.edu/apstatfaq/ and http://www.woodward.edu/faculty/us/math/apstat/ and http://www.webb.org/math/starnes/ap_statistics.htm and http://mysite.verizon.net/ploe/id17.html and http://www.deeannef.com/apstat.htm and http://www.keypress.com/fathom/fathom1/AP_Statistics.html and http://www.ccds.charlotte.nc.us/mcgrail/apsres.htm

AP Computer Science http://www.programcpp.com/APCS/and http://www.cs.duke.edu/~ola/ap.html and http://www.lhps.org/scarbeau/aplink.htm and http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~mjs/apcs.html and http://www.gahronline.org/Teachers/APCS%20Website/APCS%20Java%20Main.htm and http://www.niles-hs.k12.il.us/davrut/apcs/ and http://www.intuitor.com/student/AP_CompSci_I_Syl.htm and http://cs.colgate.edu/APCS/ and http://www.geocities.com/academyofit/cs.html and http://www.cs.duke.edu/~ola/ap.html

AP Comparative Government http://www.hopkins.k12.mn.us/pages/high/acad/SS/APCompGov/CompGP.html and http://www.socialstudieshelp.com/APGOV_Class_Page.htm and http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/online/usonline/AP%20Government/AP%20Government%20Lessons.htm and http://mrwally2.tripod.com/ and http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/North_Hollywood_HS/programs/cschiller/gov.html and http://www.quia.com/pages/apgovreview.html and http://ssweb.hewlett-woodmere.net/ap_government.htm and http://www.hopkins.k12.mn.us/pages/high/Acad/SS/tchrs.html

AP Economics http://pittsford.monroe.edu/staffweb/apecon/ and http://www.ih.k12.oh.us/hsslonim/ap_economics/APEconhome.htm and http://www.harvardwestlake.com/academics/usmath/econ/links.html and http://plunkonomics.com/ap_economics.htm and http://koak.org/nelson/apecon/index.htm and http://teacherweb.ftl.pinecrest.edu/crawfor/ and http://members.aol.com/capstone88/apeconomicsreview.htm

AP Psychology http://www.appsychology.net/ and http://library.campbellhall.org/secondary%20pages/Cheat%20Sheets/2003-2004%20Cheat%20Sheets/ap_psychology.htm and http://www.apa.org/ed/hscontents.html and http://academics.tjhsst.edu/psych/ and http://myschoolonline.com/folder/0%2C1872%2C999-126152-1-45389%2C00.html

AP United States History http://www.valley.net/~MrDz/us-links2.htmand http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Pantheon/9910/ and http://www.mury.k12.ut.us/mhs/apus/ and http://www.historyteacher.net/AHAP/AHAPCourseMainPage.htm and http://www.apstudent.com/ushistory/links.php and http://www.orange.k12.oh.us/teachers/ohs/TJordan/Pages/APSyllabus.html and http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/1715/worksheet.html and http://dir.yahoo.com/Arts/Humanities/History/U_S__History and http://www.polytechnic.org/faculty/gfeldmeth/USHistory.html and http://members.aol.com/MrDonnHistory/American.html and http://home.att.net/~betsynewmark/APUSH.html and http://www.hanoverhigh.org/departments/socialstudies/pampage4.html and http://www.academicinfo.net/histusteach.html

AP European History http://www.vanguard.org/faculty/barber/ap1.htm and http://www.historymentor.com/ and http://www.fresno.k12.ca.us/schools/s090/lloyd/european_history_index.htm and http://www.historyteacher.net/APEuroCourse/APEuro_Main_Weblinks_Page.htm and http://members.cox.net/jpharmon/euro.html and http://ap_history_online.tripod.com/ and http://www.homestead.com/chaffeyaphistory/european.html and http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/gstimson/APEurolinks.htm and http://www.apeuropeanlahs.org/

AP Human Geography http://geography.about.com/cs/advancedplacement/ and http://teacherweb.ftl.pinecrest.edu/snyderd/APHG/ and http://teacher.cgs.k12.va.us/epowell/ap_human_geography.htm and http://users.mlc.net/chs/geo/

AP World History http://members.cox.net/jpharmon/world.html and http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/project/pvteye/.www/AP_world.html and http://mrtavernia.com/apclassroom/AP%20Contract.pdf and http://www.aasd.k12.wi.us/Staff/Hermansenjoel/Homepage/wh.htm and http://www.historyteacher.net/ and http://www.geocities.com/cindie70/AP_World_History.html

AP Latin http://www.txclassics.org/aplatin.htm and http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/aplinks.html and http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/aplatinexam/ and http://www.quia.com/pages/pvilatin4.html and http://www.hoocher.com/vergil.htm and http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/DIS/OHSICS/forlang/latin.htm

AP English Composition and Literature http://home.cfl.rr.com/eghsap/ and http://members.tripod.com/~Karlyncoleman/ and http://staffweb.brownsburg.k12.in.us/~cneukam/ap_english.html and http://www.teachnlearn.org/APLangMain.htm

AP French http://www.ascdirect-usa.com/frenchlinks.htm and http://www.yale.edu/aatfct/ap.html and http://www2.ignatius.edu/faculty/turner/apfrlit.htm and http://globegate.utm.edu/french/globegate_mirror/frlesson.html and http://www.marincatholic.org/French/frenchquatre.html

AP German http://www.uni.edu/becker/German2.html and http://sps.k12.mo.us/khs/german/germany/teacher/apfragen.htm and http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/DIS/OHSICS/forlang/esp_stud/germstud.htm

AP Italian http://italian.about.com/ and http://www.italian.emory.edu/links/Italy_Today/Teaching_Italian/ and http://home.earthlink.net/~dgaetani/id37.html and http://eleaston.com/ and http://www.sussex.ac.uk/languages/1-6-4-4.html

AP Japanese http://www.sabotenweb.com/bookmarks/language.html and http://www.mala.bc.ca/~furutak/resource.htm and http://www.jflalc.org/teaching/ and http://www.lib.duke.edu/ias/eac/japanesestudies.html and http://www.indiana.edu/~japan/ and http://www.sabotenweb.com/bookmarks/teachers.html

AP Russian http://learningrussian.com/ and http://eleaston.com/russian.html and http://www.ruslan.co.uk/

AP Spanish http://www.learnalanguage.org/apspanish/ and http://www.quia.com/pages/saintjosephap.html and http://www.geocities.com/apspanishlit/ and http://powayusd.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/teachers/dmarques/AP%20Spanish%20Literature/AP%20Spanish%20Literature.htm and http://www.espanole.org/lang and http://fcweb.pickens.k12.sc.us/~boganrs/AP%20Spanish and http://sandersonhs.wcpss.net/ap_spanish.htm and http://home.pacbell.net/gpeterma/apspanlit.html and and and

AP Studio Art http://www.fmhs.cnyric.org/clay/artists/AP/AP.html and http://www.odf.org/Arts%20PresentationBook.PDF and http://www.westboylstonschools.k12.ma.us/advanced_placement_studio_art.htm and http://gwhs.kana.k12.wv.us/art/apstudioart.html and http://www.pacificap.org/bart.htm and http://www.zimmerworks.com/ap.htm and

AP Art History http://www.ursuline.org/faculty/lefler/ and http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/North_Hollywood_HS/programs/cschiller/art.html and http://mywebpages.comcast.net/llefler/ch7review.htm and http://mail.holynames-sea.org/DKarp/Art%20History%20Web/ and http://www.mungu.org/art/ and http://www.jminette.com/ap%20art%20history.htm

AP Music Theory http://www.lincoln.leon.k12.fl.us/classes/band/APMusicTheoryCourseDescription.html and http://eserver.org/music/theory.html and http://smr_arts.tripod.com/SMR_Band/id3.html and http://www.lhsmusic.com/APTheory/aptheory_homepage.htm

General:

http://www.geometry.net/Test_Prep_Central/AP.htm

http://www.tutor.com/search/select_subject.asp?SubjectID=4384

http://www.pahomeschoolers.com/courses/

Apex offers several (14) Advanced Placement courses online: http://www.apexlearning.com/SUBJECTS/ap_subs.htm 800-453-1454

Discussing AP Testing: A "no-no," but not policed

Finding Best High Schools: Rationing AP

PLAN Test and success in an AP-Advanced Placement course: The American College Testing program did a study correlating the results of the PLAN test and success in an AP course (i.e. achieving a 3 or better on the exam). Here are the results! This is my summary:

PLAN Composite AP English Literature AP U.S. History AP Calculus
32 100% 98% 95%
31 99% 97% 94%
30 99% 96% 92%
29 98% 94% 90%
28 97% 91% 87%
27 96% 87% 84%
26 93% 82% 80%
25 89% 76% 76%
24 83% 68% 70%
23 75% 60% 64%
22 64% 50% 58%
21 51% 41% 51%
20 39% 32% 44%
19 27% 24% 38%
18 19% 18% 32%
17 12% 13% 26%
16 8% 9% 21%
15 5% 6% 17%
14 3% 4% 14%
13 2% 3% 11%
12 1% 2% 8%
11 1% 1% 7%
10 0% 1% 5%

Advanced Placement International Diploma (APID)

For the 2004-2005 school year, a student must achieve a 3 or higher in four AP exams within three content areas: two exams in English/Foreign Language content, one in mathematics/science content and one in social studies, arts, etc. For the 2005-2006 school year, the qualification will change to add the global perspective requirement with one additional exam in Comparative Government and Politics or World Human Geography. Students must indicate AP International Recognition on their AP answer sheets.

An example of a student who would qualify would be someone who scored a 3 or higher on AP English Literature, AP Spanish, AP Calculus AB and AP European History for the 2004-2005 school year. In order to achieve the AIPD with Honors, a student would need to average 3.5 on all five exams, and submit an acceptable essay of 1000-1500 words on an aspect of world global awareness or intercultural understanding.

The AIPD is similar, but different from the International Baccalaureate. Here is a list of IB schools. There are no high schools in Michigan offering the IB program at present.