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Teens
& College:
My Questions (So Far)
What
is the difference between Regular Honors classes, AP classes and the International
Baccalaureate (IB)?
Regular
honors courses are developed to help meet the needs of accelerated
students. Honors classes are by design more intense and more demanding
than a "regular" class on the same topic. Honors classes offer
the same curriculum that non-honors classes offer but are more challenging.
Honors courses are faster paced and cover topics more in-depth. However,
these classes are not usually considered to be equivalent to college-level
work, which is why they will not earn college credit.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are developed with the
help of the College Board. These courses are more difficult and involve
more work than standard classes. AP courses require hours of work outside
of class. AP courses are considered college-level courses, so they allow
the student to earn college credit. In order to get college credit, you
must earn a specific score on the AP exam, which is administered at the
end of the course.The exams are graded on a 1 to 5 scale (5 is the highest)
and 3 is passing. Colleges sometimes—but not always—give units
of credit for scores of 3 or higher or allow students to take higher level
courses in that subject area.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is offered
at schools in many different countries, including the United States. The
International Baccalaureate Organization works with schools, governments,
and international organizations to develop challenging programs for students.
The IB Diploma Program (DP) is offered to highly motivated students during
their final two years of high school. The DP is a demanding course of
studies that leads to examinations in six subject areas. You must achieve
a specific score on the examinations in order to gain college credit.
What
are are the benefits to taking honors & AP courses?
You
can gain an edge in the college admission process. College admission
officers look for students who take rigorous courses. |
You
can earn college credit. If you take AP or IB courses, you may be
able to get college credit depending on how you score on a comprehensive
examination in the subject. Most colleges will give credit for scores
of 3 or higher on AP exams (AP range is 1-5) and scores of 5 or
higher on IB exams (IB range is 1-7). |
You
can boost GPA if you are calculating it. Because honors classes
are more difficult than non-honors classes, the grades earned in
honors courses at most schools are given an extra grade point. With
the standard four-point grading scale, A = 4 grade points, B = 3
grade points, C = 2 grade points, and so on. With the honors scale,
A = 5 points, B = 4 points, and C = 3 points. Therefore, when these
grade points are averaged with your regular grades, your overall
GPA could be higher than 4.0. |
You
can develop study habits that will prepare you for college. College
courses are more rigorous than standard high school classes. By
taking the more challenging honors classes in high school, you will
be better prepared to succeed in college. |
Why Advanced Placement?
The Advanced Placement Program offers high school students the opportunity
to receive college credit for their work during high school. This can
save time and money when students go to college. The College Board develops
and maintains courses in various subject areas. The College Board allows
the homeschooled student and others who have not taken a course at a high
school to take the exam.
Do
Colleges Really Care if Students Take Honors and AP Courses?
YES! When colleges analyze high school transcripts, they pay attention
to the grades that students make, but they also ascertain the levels of
the courses. If you peruse the admission processes at the colleges your
student wants to attend, you will find the statements that they make regarding
these classes.
Can
I take the AP Examination if I haven't taken an AP course?
Yes. If you are a homeschooled student or attend a school that does not
offer AP, you can still take the exams by arranging
to test at a participating school. The AP exams offer a great opportunity
to earn college credits before you even start. Gaining AP credits will
help lessen your course burden in college.
What
subjects can my student take AP tests in?
The College Board Advanced Placement Program offers 37 courses
in 22 disciplines. You can review the official AP Course Descriptions
[in PDF format] for the most up-to-date information about each course
and exam [Here].
You will need to know what tests you want to take when you schedule.
Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Chinese Language
and Culture, Computer Science A, Computer Science AB, English Language
and Composition, English Literature and Composition, Environmental Science,
European History, French Language, French Literature, German Language,
Government and Politics: Comparative, Government and Politics: United
States, Human Geography, Italian Language and Culture, Japanese Language
and Culture, Latin Literature, Latin:Vergil, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics,
Music Theory, Physics B, Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Physics
C: Mechanics, Psychology, Spanish Language, Spanish Literature, Statistics
Studio Art: 2-D Design, Studio Art: 3-D Design, Studio Art: Drawing, United
States History, World History.
What are the steps
required to register for an AP test?
-
Call AP Services [numbers
at the college board website] no later than March 1 to get the names
and telephone numbers of AP Coordinators at local schools.
- Contact
the AP Coordinators at the local schools identified by AP Services no
later than March 15. Identify the tests you want to take. They will
tell you when and where your student needs to appear for testing.
What
are the SAT Subject tests?
Subject Tests (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests) are designed to measure
your knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as your
ability to apply that knowledge. Students take the Subject Tests to demonstrate
to colleges their mastery of specific subjects Many colleges use the Subject
Tests for admissions, for course placement, and to advise students about
course selection.
What's the difference between the SAT
Subject tests and the AP tests?
The SAT Subject Tests do not have a specific recommended curriculum like
the APs. In general, AP tests have nothing to do with college admissions.
They're used to determine if your student will receive college credit
for the tests he passed. AP tests are scored 1 to 5 (or 1 to 6, depending
on the test), and although a score of 3 is considered passing, some schools
require a 4 or 5 for you to receive college credit. Through AP Exams,
your student has the opportunity to earn credit or advanced standing at
most of the nation's colleges and universities. AP Grade Reports are sent
in July to the college designated on the answer sheet and to your student.
Each report is cumulative and includes grades for all the AP Exams your
student has ever taken, unless you have requested that one or more grades
be withheld from a college or canceled. .
Having
AP credits doesn't affect admission into college. SAT subject tests, on
the other hand, can affect admission chances at the schools which require
them. SAT subject tests are often required or strongly recommended when
applying to some of the more selective colleges.
Except
for Studio Art and Music Theory, all AP exams have multiple-choice questions
and an essay or problem solving section. All SAT subject tests have multiple-choice
questions with no essays. You can retake both tests. AP exams are only
given once a year in May, while most SAT subject tests are given throughout
the year.
Subject
Tests fall into five general subject areas and you can review the descriptions
here:
English
- Literature
History - U.S. History (formerly American History and
Social Studies), World History
Mathematics - Mathematics Level 1 (formerly Mathematics
IC), Mathematics Level 2 (formerly Mathematics IIC)
Science - Biology E/M, Chemistr, Physics
Languages - Chinese with Listening, French, French with
Listening, German, German with Listening, Spanish, Spanish with Listening,
Modern Hebrew, Italian, Latin, Japanese with Listening, Korean with Listening
When should my student take SAT Subject
Tests?
Most students take Subject Tests toward the end of their junior year or
at the beginning of their senior year. Take tests such as World History,
Biology E/M, Chemistry, or Physics as soon as possible after completing
the course in the subject, while the material is still fresh in your mind.Most
teens suggest on the test message boards, the best advice is to
take the AP exam first (in May of your junior year), followed soon after
by the SAT subject tests (which many claim are much easier).
The reason is that you'll then only have to study once (with maybe a refresher).
Which SAT Subject Tests should you take?
Before deciding which tests to take, make a list of the colleges you're
considering. Then take a look at what they require.
What is the High School Profile?
When high schools send student transcripts to colleges, they enclose a
copy of the School Profile. This profile tells colleges basic information
about the school: address, phone number, special programs at the school,
how the GPA is computed, what type of schedule the school uses, how many
teachers and administrators are on staff, how many students the school
has, and the specific courses students must take in order to receive diplomas.
The profile must also list the specific Honors classes and AP classes
the school offers. As a result, when colleges look at the courses and
grades of an individual student, they will compare them to the courses
which the school offers.
When
Should My Teen Take the PSAT/NMSQT® ?
The
National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition
for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students
enter the National Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National
Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®)—a test which
serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.4 million entrants each
year.
Student Entry Requirements
- They
must take the PSAT/NMSQT® no later than the third year in grades
9 through 12.
-
They must be enrolled full time as a high school student, progressing
normally toward graduation or completion of high school, and planning
to enroll full time in college no later than the fall following completion
of high school.
-
They must be a citizen of the United States; or be a U.S. lawful permanent
resident (or have applied for permanent residence, the application for
which has not been denied) and intend to become a U.S. citizen at the
earliest opportunity allowed by law.
Sophomores
can take the PSAT for practice, but in order for it to count for National
Merit Scholarship, students have to be Juniors.
Taking
the PSAT if you are a homeschooled student
If
you are a home-schooled student, contact a principal or counselor
at a local public or independent high school to make arrangements
to take the PSAT/NMSQT at their school. Be sure to contact them,
by phone or letter well in advance of the mid-October test dates.
The recommended timeframe to do this is during the June prior to
the school year your wants to take the test. If you're a home-schooled
student, your PSAT/NMSQT score report is sent directly to your home
address. You will need to have your state's home school code in
the "school code" to complete the basic information section
on the answer sheet. |
How
Score Reports Are Delivered
If you are in a Public or Private School, score reports are mailed
to your high school principal in December. Each school decides how
and when to distribute the scores to students. PSAT/NMSQT scores
are not available by phone or online. If you're a homeschooled
student, your PSAT/NMSQT score report is sent directly
to your home address. |
If
you are a Finalist
Of
the 1.4 million entrants who take the test, some 50,000 with the
highest PSAT/NMSQT® Selection Index scores (critical reading
+ mathematics + writing skills scores) qualify for recognition in
the National Merit® Scholarship Program. In February, some 15,000
Semifinalists are notified by mail at their home addresses that
they have advanced to Finalist standing. High school principals
are also notified and provided with a certificate to present to
each Finalist.
In
April, following the fall test administration, high-scoring participants
from every state are invited to name two colleges or universities
to which they would like to be referred by NMSC. In September, these
high scorers are notified through their schools that they have qualified
as either a Commended Student or Semifinalist. If
you're a homeschooled student, you are
notified, by letter sent
directly to your home address. |
What
is The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)?
The
College-Level Examination Program® or CLEP provides students of any
age with the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement through
a program of exams in undergraduate college courses. There are 2,900 colleges
that grant credit and/or advanced standing for CLEP exams. Before you
take a CLEP exam, check directly with the college or university you plan
to attend to make sure that it grants credit for the CLEP exam(s) you
wish to take, and review the specifics of the institution's CLEP policy.
At the time you take the exam, you can indicate in test software the college,
employer, or certifying agency that you want to receive your CLEP test
scores. There is no additional cost for this service — your exam
fee covers it. If you did not indicate a score recipient institution at
the time of your exam and you want to request your CLEP scores, you can
do so by ordering a CLEP Transcript. This Transcript is a cumulative score
report of all the CLEP exams you have taken and the scores you earned
in the last 20 years.
CLEP exams are developed and evaluated independently and are not linked
to each other except by the Program's common purpose, format, and method
of reporting results. For this reason, direct comparisons should not be
made from one CLEP exam to another. Nor are CLEP scores comparable to
SAT® scores or scores of other tests that use similar scales.[read
more]
The
exams offered: [read
on]
Find
colleges granting credit for CLEP: Colleges
Granting CLEP Credit
CLEP
Official Study Guide
|