Advanced Placement (AP) Program Overview

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program, administered by the College Board, offers college-level courses and examinations to high school students. AP courses are designed to provide academic rigor, deepen subject mastery, and strengthen university applications.

Students who achieve qualifying scores on AP exams may earn university credit or advanced standing at many institutions worldwide.

Key Benefits of AP Courses

• Demonstrates academic excellence and intellectual curiosity

• Develops advanced critical thinking and analytical skills

• Enhances university application competitiveness

• Potential opportunity to earn post-secondary credit

• Prepares students for university-level coursework

AP Course Categories Overview

Category	Number of Courses	Courses Included
English	2	·       AP English Language & Composition ·       AP English Literature & Composition
Mathematics	3	·       AP Calculus AB ·       AP Calculus BC ·       AP Statistics
Computer Science	1	·       AP Computer Science A
Sciences	4	·       AP Biology ·       AP Chemistry ·       AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2 ·       AP Physics C
Social Sciences	5	·       AP World History: Modern ·       AP U.S. History ·       AP Macroeconomics ·       AP Microeconomics ·       AP Psychology
Capstone	2	·       AP Seminar ·       AP Research

AP Subject Areas & Course Descriptions

English

AP English Language and Composition

Since English Composition is a required course for all university students, AP English Language is one of the most widely taken AP subjects. This course focuses on logical writing, rhetorical analysis, and nonfiction reading. Students analyze a variety of nonfiction texts—such as articles, speeches, and essays—while exploring rhetorical situations, claims and evidence, reasoning and structure, and style. Through this process, they learn to read, write, and analyze effectively.

At some universities, students who earn a score of 3 or higher may receive college credit and have their English Composition requirement waived.

Exam Scope & Unit Weighting

Rhetorical Situation: Reading	11 – 14%
Rhetorical Situation: Writing	11 – 14%
Claims and Evidence: Reading	13 – 16%
Claims and Evidence: Writing	11 – 14%
Reasoning and Organization: Reading	13 – 16%
Reasoning and Organization: Writing	11 – 14%
Style: Reading	11 – 14%
Style: Writing	11 – 14%

AP English Literature and Composition

Unlike AP Language, which primarily asks questions about passages and arguments, AP Literature requires students to read and respond to essays or poetry. It emphasizes the ability to understand and analyze literary works. Students must read and analyze texts while exploring concepts such as characters, setting, structure, point of view, figurative language, and literary analysis.

As one of the most challenging AP courses for earning a score of 5, students who achieve a score of 3 or higher may receive college credit for an English Composition course at some universities.

Section 1 - Multiple Choice 45% of Score

Exam Scope & Unit Weighting

Short Fiction	42 – 49%
Poetry	36 – 45%
Longer Fiction or Drama	15 – 18%

Section 2- Free Responses 3 questions 55 % of Score

Exam Scope & Unit Weighting

Petry analysis	It is a format in which students read a passage of poetry, provide a poetic interpretation based on textual evidence, and respond to the prompt by developing a thesis.
Prose fiction analysis	It is a format in which students read a prose work (including plays) and write an essay presenting a literary interpretation supported by textual evidence.
Literary argument	It is a format in which students analyze how a literary concept or idea contributes to the interpretation of a literary work. They select one work from a provided list of approximately 40 texts or cite another prose or drama work they have read and develop an evidence-based argument in response to the given prompt.

Mathematics & Computer Science

AP Calculus AB / BC

AP Calculus AB covers first-year college-level calculus, focusing on fundamental concepts such as limits, derivatives, and definite integrals.

AP Calculus BC extends the content of AB by including advanced topics such as differential equations, sequences, and series, covering calculus at a first- to second-year college level.

Exam Scope & Unit Weighting

Limits and Continuity	4 – 7%
Differentiation: Definition and Fundamental Properties	4 – 7%
Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions	4 – 7%
Contextual Applications of Differentiation	6 – 9%
Analytical Applications of Differentiation	8 – 11%
Integration and Accumulation of Change	17 – 20%
Differential Equations	6 – 9%
Applications of Integration	6 – 9%
Parametric Equations, Polar Coordinates, and Vector-Valued Functions	11 – 12%
Infinite Sequences and Series	17 – 18%

AP Statistics

AP Statistics is a college-level introductory statistics course for high school students. The exam is administered by the College Board.

Rather than focusing only on calculations, the course emphasizes data analysis, statistical reasoning, and clear written explanations.

Compared to AP Calculus, the mathematical difficulty is lower, but conceptual understanding and the ability to explain reasoning in words are extremely important.

Exam Scope & Unit Weighting

Exam Structure

• Total time: 3 hours

• Section I: 40 multiple-choice questions (90 minutes)

• Section II: 6 free-response questions (90 minutes)

Exploring Data	15 – 23%
Sampling & Experimentation	12 – 15%
Probability & Random Variables	20 – 30%
Statistical Inference	30 – 40%

AP Computer Science A

This course is slightly more advanced than AP Computer Science. It primarily focuses on Java programming, but the exam tests students’ understanding of the theoretical aspects of programming. Topics such as recursion, algorithmic complexity, and computability—abstract concepts that are not tied to any specific programming language—are emphasized.

Exam Scope & Unit Weighting

Primitive Types	2.5 - 5%
Using Objects	5 - 7.5%
Boolean Expressions and if Statements	15 - 17.5%
Iteration	17.5 - 22.5%
Writing Classes	5 - 7.5%
Array	10 - 15%
Array List	2.5 - 7.5%
2D Array	7.5 - 10%
Inheritance	5 - 10%
Recursion	5 - 7.5%

 Sciences

AP Biology

AP Biology is a popular course for students interested in the life sciences. Key topics include biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, the origin of species and evolution, ecology, and physiology. Because it covers the breadth of biology, the course requires studying a wide range of material. Unlike other science subjects that emphasize conceptual understanding, AP Biology is largely memorization-based, making it a course that students with strong memorization skills can tackle even if full comprehension is challenging.

Exam Scope & Unit Weighting

Chemistry of Life	8 – 11%
Cell Structure and Function	10 – 13%
Cellular Energetics	12 – 16%
Cell Communication and Cell Cycle	10 – 15%
Heredity	8 – 11%
Gene Expression and Regulation	12 – 16%
Natural Selection	13 – 20%
Ecology	10 – 15%

AP Chemistry

AP Chemistry is a first-year college-level general chemistry course covering a wide range of topics, including atomic structure, chemical reactions, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, and equilibrium. This course teaches chemical principles through experimental investigation and helps students develop practical skills that can be applied in real-world contexts.

Exam Scope & Unit Weighting

Atomic Structure and Properties	7 – 9%
Compound Structure and Properties	7 – 9%
Properties of Substances and Mixtures	18 – 22%
Chemical Reactions	7 – 9%
Kinetics	7 – 9%
Thermochemistry	7 – 9%
Equilibrium	7 – 9%
Acids and Bases	11 – 15%
Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry	7 – 9%

AP Physics 1

AP Physics 1 is an introductory course that explores the fundamental principles of physics. This 60-hour course focuses on conceptual understanding and covers topics such as Newtonian mechanics, work and energy, momentum, waves and sound, and basic electric circuits. Through this course, students learn physics principles and concepts through hands-on experiments and develop strong problem-solving skills.

Exam Scope & Unit Weighting

Kinematics	10 – 15%
Force and Translational Dynamics	18 – 23%
Work, Energy, and Power	18 – 23%
Linear Momentum	10 – 15%
Torque and Rotational Dynamics	10 – 15%
Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems	5 – 8%
Oscillations	5 – 8%
Fluids	10 – 15%

AP Physics 2

AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based, college-level introductory physics course. Students build their understanding of physics by studying concepts such as systems, fields, interactions of forces, change, conservation, and waves. The course covers additional topics beyond those studied in AP Physics 1.

The units included in this course and on the exam are as follows:

Exam Scope & Unit Weighting

Thermodynamics	15 – 18%
Electric Force, Field, and Potential	15 – 18%
Electric Circuits	15 – 18%
Magnetism and Electromagnetism	12 – 15%
Geometric Optics	12 – 15%
Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics	12 – 15%
Modern Physics	12 – 15%

AP Physics C (Mechanics / E&M)

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is a semester-long, calculus-based, college-level physics course. It is especially suitable for students planning to major in physical sciences or engineering. Students develop their understanding of physics by studying concepts such as change, interactions of forces, fields, and conservation principles.

Exam Scope & Unit Weighting

Electric Charges, Fields, and Gauss's Law	15 – 25%
Electric Potential	10 – 20%
Conductors and Capacitors	10 – 15%
Electric Circuits	15 – 25%
Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism	10 – 20%
Electromagnetic Induction	10 – 20%

AP Physics C: Mechanics

AP Physics C: Mechanics is a calculus-based, college-level physics course, particularly suited for students planning to major in physical sciences or engineering. Through classroom instruction, in-class activities, and inquiry-based experiments, students develop a deep understanding of physics concepts while exploring topics such as change, interactions of forces, fields, and conservation laws.

Exam Scope & Unit Weighting

Kinematics	10 – 15%
Force and Translational Dynamics	20 – 25%
Work, Energy, and Power	15 – 25%
Linear Momentum	10 – 20%
Torque and Rotational Dynamics	10 – 15%
Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems	10 – 15%
Oscillations	10 – 15%

 Social Sciences

AP World History: Modern

AP World History: Modern is a college-level history course that examines global developments from c. 1200 CE to the present. The exam is administered by the College Board.

The course focuses on historical thinking skills, including comparison, causation, continuity and change over time (CCOT), and argument development. Students are expected to analyze primary and secondary sources and write evidence-based essays.

Exam Format & Weighting

Section I (60%)

• Part A: 55 Multiple-Choice Questions (40%) — 55 minutes

• Part B: 3 Short-Answer Questions (20%) — 40 minutes

Section II (40%)

• 1 Document-Based Question (DBQ) — 25% — 60 minutes

• 1 Long Essay Question (LEQ) — 15% — 40 minutes

The Global Tapestry (c. 1200–1450)	8–10%
Networks of Exchange (c. 1200–1450)	8–10%
Land-Based Empires (c. 1450–1750)	12–15%
Transoceanic Interconnections (c. 1450–1750)	2–15%
Revolutions (c. 1750–1900)	12–15%
Consequences of Industrialization (c. 1750–1900)	12–15%
Global Conflict (c. 1900–Present)	8–10%
Cold War & Decolonization (c. 1900–Present)	8–10%
Globalization (c. 1900–Present)	8–10%

AP U.S. History

AP U.S. History (commonly called APUSH) is a college-level survey course that explores the political, social, economic, and cultural development of the United States from c. 1491 to the present. The exam is administered by the College Board.

The course emphasizes historical thinking skills, including:

• Argument development

• Use of evidence

• Causation

• Comparison

• Continuity and change over time (CCOT)

• Document analysis

Strong reading comprehension and structured essay writing are essential for success.

Exam Format & Weighting

Total Exam Time: 3 hours 15 minutes

Section I — 60%

• 55 Multiple-Choice Questions (40%) — 55 minutes

• 3 Short-Answer Questions (20%) — 40 minutes

Section II — 40%

• 1 Document-Based Question (DBQ) — 25% — 60 minutes

• 1 Long Essay Question (LEQ) — 15% — 40 minutes

Period 1: 1491–1607	4 – 6%
Period 2: 1607–1754	6 – 8%
Period 3: 1754–1800	10 – 17%
Period 4: 1800–1848	10 – 17%
Period 5: 1844–1877	10 – 17%
Period 6: 1865–1898	10 – 17%
Period 7: 1890–1945	10 – 17%
Period 8: 1945–1980	10 – 17%
Period 9: 1980–Present	4 – 6%

AP Macroeconomics / Microeconomics

AP Economics is divided into two main areas: Microeconomics and Macroeconomics.

• Microeconomics focuses on decision-making processes of consumers and producers in markets, analyzing the behavior of individual economic agents.

• Macroeconomics addresses topics such as economic growth, unemployment, and inflation, emphasizing the analysis of the economy as a whole.

This course helps students understand the fundamental principles of economics and develop economic reasoning skills.

Exam Format (for both Micro and Macro):

• Multiple-Choice: 60 questions, 1 hour 10 minutes

• Free-Response: 3 questions, 1 hour

Exam Scope & Unit Weighting

Micro

Unit 1: Basic Economic Concepts	12 – 15%
Unit 2: Supply and Demand	20 – 25%
Unit 3: Production, Cost, and the Perfect Competition Model	22 – 25%
Unit 4: Imperfect Competition	15 – 22%
Unit 5: Factor Markets	10 – 13%
Unit 6: Market Failure and the Role of Government	8 – 13%

Macro

Basic Economic Concepts	5 - 10%
Economic Indicators and Business Cycle	12 - 17%
National Income and Price Determination	17 - 27%
Financial Sector	18 - 23%
Long-Run Consequences of Stabilization Policies	20 - 30%
Open Economy - International Trade and Finance	10 - 13%

AP Psychology

AP Psychology is a popular course because it is relatively less challenging compared to other AP subjects. It is equivalent to a college-level introductory psychology course, making it suitable for students interested in psychology or sociology. The course studies human behavior and mental processes in a systematic and scientific way. Topics covered include human behavior, sensation, perception, learning, cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, abnormal behavior and therapy, and social psychology.​

Exam Scope & Unit Weighting

Biological Bases of Behavior	15 – 25%
Cognition	15 – 25%
Development and Learning	15 – 25%
Social Psychology and Personality	15 – 25%
Mental and Physical Health	15 – 25%

Capstone Program

AP Seminar

AP Seminar is a foundational course in the AP Capstone Program, administered by the College Board.

Unlike traditional AP courses, AP Seminar does not focus on a specific subject area. Instead, it develops essential academic skills:

• Research and inquiry

• Source analysis and evaluation

• Argument development

• Evidence-based writing

• Presentation and teamwork

Students investigate real-world issues from multiple perspectives and learn to construct well-supported arguments.

Assessment Components & Weighting

AP Seminar does not follow a traditional AP exam structure. Instead, the score is based on performance tasks and a short written exam.

Performance Task 1: Team Project & Presentation	20%
Performance Task 2: Individual Research-Based Essay & Presentation	35%
End-of-Course Written Exam	45%

AP Research

AP Research is the second course in the AP Capstone Program, administered by the College Board.

It is a year-long, independent research course in which students design, conduct, analyze, and present an original research project on a topic of their choice.

Unlike content-based AP courses, AP Research focuses entirely on:

• Independent inquiry

• Research methodology

• Data collection and analysis

• Academic writing

• Presentation and oral defense

Students produce a 4,000 – 5,000-word academic research paper and formally present their findings.

Assessment Components & Weighting

AP Research does not have a traditional written exam. The entire score is based on the submitted research project and presentation.

Academic Paper	75%
Presentation & Oral Defense	25%

Assessment Structure

AP courses culminate in a standardized examination each May. Exams are scored on a 1–5 scale:

• 5 – Extremely well qualified

• 4 – Well qualified

• 3 – Qualified

• 2 – Possibly qualified

• 1 – No recommendation

Many universities grant credit or advanced placement for scores of 4 or 5.