AP class

What It Means

An AP class is a high school course in the Advanced Placement program run by the College Board. Each course leads to an AP Exam, scored 1 to 5. A college may give credit, let a student skip an introductory course, or both, for a high enough score; each college sets its own rule.

How Parents Say It

• "He's taking three AP classes junior year."
• "I got a 4 on AP Bio, so I skip the intro course."
• "Is AP Lang weighted at our school?"

The Breakdown

Worked example. A junior plans three AP Exams in 2027, at College Board's 2027 base fee for U.S. schools:

What the score means. AP Exams are scored 1 to 5. College Board's score table calls a 5 "extremely well qualified" and a 3 "qualified". The American Council on Education and College Board recommend that colleges give credit for a 3 or higher, but each college sets its own policy. Look up each college's AP credit policy before counting on a credit.

How it shows on a GPA. Many high schools weight AP grades, adding points on their own scale. Buhata's weighted GPAWeighted GPAA grade point average that gives extra points for harder courses such as honors, AP or IB, on a scale each school or district sets. See more page shows how to work that out.

How the exam is given. College Board now gives most AP Exams in its Bluebook testing app, either fully digital or hybrid digital depending on the course. Its page "How AP Exams Are Administered by Course" lists which.

Good to Know

For 2027, College Board's base AP Exam fee is $99 per exam at schools in the U.S., U.S. territories and Canada, and $129 elsewhere. A student with significant financial need can get a $37 College Board reduction, and schools are expected to give up their $9 rebateRebateMoney paid back to you after you've paid full price, such as a mail-in rebate from a store or manufacturer; a return of part of a payment. See more, bringing the cost to $53; some states pay more on top. College Board's fee pages also list a late feeLate feeA charge added when a payment arrives after its due date, set by the card agreement, lease or contract and limited by federal or state rules. See more for exams ordered after its deadline, so ask the AP coordinator when the school needs your order.

Related Terms and Categories

• Weighted GPA

  A grade point average that gives extra points for harder courses such as honors, AP or IB, on a scale each school or district sets.

• Dual enrollment

  A high school student taking a college course for college credit, through a college or a program the high school runs with one.

• Scholarships

  Money for school that a student doesn't repay, usually awarded for grades, skills or abilities by a college, employer, community group or state.

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