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How does college credit from AP tests work?
I'm in high school hoping to go into either a health or law profession after college. I am currently undecided about which university I want to go to and what my major will be. #college #college-advice
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Richard’s Answer
There have been many good answers on this thread so far. I would like to add, however, that the minimum score needed depends on the college. For example, some colleges only accept scores of four and five. You should try to get the best score on the exam i.e. not doing the bare minimum so you will be in a position to earn credit regardless of which school you attend.
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Annah’s Answer
The answer to this question will vary for each college/university. This information can usually be found on the college/university website. For general information though, I know that you have to score at least a 3 on the AP final exam in order to earn the college credit (if you score higher, the credit may account for two entry-level courses). This college credit will only put you ahead when choosing your 4-year college as most post-graduate institutions will not see this as a disadvantage/easy way out of doing college work.
Look into the university you are interested in and research their specific policy concerning AP hours.
Annah recommends the following next steps:
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Elise’s Answer
You should be able to find out more information about AP credit at each school you are interested in. Try Googling or contact admissions at colleges you might apply to and see what their policy for AP credit is. Schools give credit for different courses and different scores. Even if a college doesn't accept AP credit or doesn't accept the class you took, AP classes can still be helpful for learning the material before you get to college. For instance, if you take AP Biology but don't get college credit, you may still be better off because you may already know some of the material and will do better in the intro level classes
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Riley’s Answer
All the majors in college will require specific general education prerequisites before you can start taking courses specifically made for your major, this is where AP credits come in. When your advisor is looking at your transcripts and helping you build your first schedule, they will look at the courses you took and be able to tell you which courses are eligible to cover which credits. For example, I came into college with an AP world history credit, which was used to cover the history credit that I needed. By coming in with several of your prerequisites satisfied already by your AP classes, you will get a head start and be able to save money by not taking certain classes in college.
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David’s Answer
Majority of college and university will consider you AP test score if you scores above 4 or 5 and most classes will be all the beginning college course as we called them class 90 to 110 which are college 101 courses. Most AP classes will be like English, Math, History, Science and etc. but how many of these AP test you have take and the result is above 4 or 5 will the college takes are college credit will be depend on the College and University you are applying for or getting into. Yes, the AP test score will be good to help you knock out couple college course to save money but it is really depend on the college and university to accept the score and credit the course credit for your college credit. Overall, ask the college and university about these credit and see if they will accept and credited you for it.
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John’s Answer
Hi Harry,
I think everyone in this thread has provided really good insight to your question. The only thing I would add is that in my experience, the credits will also vary depending on what college you enroll in at your university. For a while, I was considering an engineering degree, and when I went to do a campus visit, I was told that it was mandatory that I take physics at the university, regardless of how I did on the physics AP exam. However, when I switched into the business college they said that the Physics AP credit would cover one of the science class credits in the university core. All this to say, it will further depend on what degree you are pursuing, but I would reach out to your potential colleges individually and try to clarify their stances on AP credits depending on which educational path you are hoping to enroll in.
I think everyone in this thread has provided really good insight to your question. The only thing I would add is that in my experience, the credits will also vary depending on what college you enroll in at your university. For a while, I was considering an engineering degree, and when I went to do a campus visit, I was told that it was mandatory that I take physics at the university, regardless of how I did on the physics AP exam. However, when I switched into the business college they said that the Physics AP credit would cover one of the science class credits in the university core. All this to say, it will further depend on what degree you are pursuing, but I would reach out to your potential colleges individually and try to clarify their stances on AP credits depending on which educational path you are hoping to enroll in.
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Simeon’s Answer
Essentially, if you get a good enough score on an AP test, usually a 4 or a 5, but sometimes 3s, you can send that score to colleges you're considering and they will tell you how many courses you don't have to take because the AP score will be counted as credit. I got a 5 on a math AP test and it counted for two math classes from my undergrad. Altogether, my AP scores covered a whole semester's worth of credit for me, so I was able to graduate a whole semester early from undergrad.
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