Each year, hundreds of thousands of students take Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school. These courses go beyond the typical college preparatory course work and are identical to similar courses taught at the college level. These courses not only bulk up a college applicant’s transcript, but can also save students (and their parents) thousands on the cost of college.

The College Board, which also administers the SAT test, gives high school students an opportunity to earn college credits by taking AP tests. Students need not take an AP course in high school (but doing so is strongly recommended) to test out of more than 30 different classes. Home schooled students are also eligible and should coordinate with their home district for test taking.

Common tests include Calculus, Psychology, Biology, English Literature and History (both US and World). A full list of the programs is also available online at www.tinyurl.com/apsubject.

Most tests are administered in the spring of a student’s senior year, though some students may have an opportunity to begin classes during their junior year. Almost all colleges accept the tests for credit but students should verify a few key points with their admissions representative.

AP tests are scored in a range from 1 to 5, with 5 being the top score. Most colleges require a student score at least a 4 or 5 for college credit but some, less selective, schools will accept a 3.

Students should also make sure that the test they take has a corresponding class at the school of their choice. They should also make sure the credit will apply to their course of study.

Each test costs $86 for the 2008-09 school year and most colleges will apply the credit to the student’s transcript at no cost. Some colleges may charge a fee in lieu of credit but doing so is discouraged.

The College Board offers a credit of $22 for economically disadvantaged students and some schools may forgo their $8 administration fee.

Tests for older
students

AP tests are designed for high school students, but older students (including many adults) can test out of college classes through two programs: CLEP and DSST.

The College Level Examination Program tests students on material taught in 34 college-level classes. Administered by the College Board, the CLEP program is designed for independent study and for students who may have extensive knowledge in a specific subject. A complete list of tests is available at www.tinyurl.com/cleptests

Students should coordinate with their college to determine what CLEP tests are accepted and whether the tests would apply to their degree. Many community and state schools have aggressive CLEP programs that can allow students to test out of as many as 30 credits. For example, the University of Phoenix, a private online- and campus-based school, allows students to test out of up to six English credits from just one test.

Costs for the test are $72 and are usually administered on campus. Locally, HACC and University of Phoenix allow students to take the test regardless of what school the student attends. Schools may charge an administration fee (the College Board recommends $15) for the test.

The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests were created for the Department of Defense as an educational program for soldiers and civilian personnel. Today the tests are available to all students. The program is not as well established as the CLEP program but it is increasing in popularity.

Subject tests (37 in all) range from general education classes like College Algebra and Astronomy to very specific tests like Substance Abuse and Management Information Systems.

As with CLEP, students should be careful to coordinate their tests with their degree requirements. Unlike CLEP, tests are administered by a Prometric, a private firm. Locally, students can test in Harrisburg, York and Lancaster.