When should I take AP exams?

Students need AP (Advanced Placement Program) scores before applying to study in the US, so they should take the exams in 11th grade, or even 10th grade, according to experts.

The AP information session held on the afternoon of October 18th at the US Embassy in Hanoi attracted many parents and students planning to study abroad. AP is a college-level course and exam program for high school students organized by the College Board in the US. The AP program consists of 38 courses in 7 different fields, helping students become familiar with and have the opportunity to complete some college credits while still in high school.

Haike Zhao, deputy director of international affairs at the College Board, said that AP test results are accepted by more than 3,300 educational institutions in over 60 countries. Universities worldwide recognize AP scores in admissions and accept credits earned through AP programs.

AP exams offer an advantage in college admissions, saving time and tuition. Taking AP exams during high school also helps students develop strong skills, build confidence, and explore their passions.

"Research indicates that students with AP scores of 3 or higher have more successful academic experiences in college and higher graduation rates than their peers without such scores," said Zhao.

Mr. Haike Zhao (standing) and Ms. Doan Nguyen Van Khanh at a sharing session about AP at the US Embassy in Hanoi on October 18. Photo: Binh Minh

Currently, Vietnam has 20 high schools offering AP programs, mostly international and bilingual schools. Since 2018, the number of Vietnamese students enrolled has increased by over 200%, reaching nearly 1,100. Public school students wishing to take the AP exam must register through a school that administers the test. However, starting this year, they can register to take the exam directly with IIG, the first organization authorized by the College Board in Vietnam.

According to Ms. Doan Nguyen Van Khanh, Deputy General Director of IIG Vietnam, the AP exam schedule for next year will take place in two sessions: May 6-10 and May 13-17. In addition to the regular exam sessions, there will be another session after May 17 for candidates who missed it due to health reasons. The regular exam fee is VND 4,750,000 per subject, and VND 5,720,000 per subject (plus a surcharge of VND 970,000) for the later session. Results will be available in July.

In addition to the registration period from September to November, there is a later deadline of February 29, 2024, for those who need more time to prepare.

For students who don't attend AP schools, Mr. Zhao and Ms. Khanh advise them to identify which AP courses they want to take, then enroll in a tutoring center, hire a specialized teacher, or self-study using AP website resources or online materials.

According to the College Board, AP courses are popular and chosen by students in different countries. For example, in the US, students often study English Language, American History, English Literature, World History, or US Politics and Government. Meanwhile, Vietnamese students mainly choose Calculus BC, Psychology, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and Probability and Statistics.

According to College Board regulations, candidates are not allowed to retake the same subject in the same year. For example, if you take an exam in May but don't do well, you won't be allowed to retake it the following month; you'll have to wait until May of the following year.

AP scores are part of the application process for studying abroad, helping admissions committees better understand the applicant's personality and strengths. After an applicant is accepted, each school will have a different conversion method for AP scores into school credits.

"AP is used in both admissions and credit transfer," said Mr. Zhao.

Ms. Khanh noted that unlike the SAT (a standardized test used for college admissions in the US), which can be taken multiple times to achieve a desired score, with AP, admissions committees will focus on your progress and development over the years rather than aiming for a specific score.

For example, in 9th grade, you didn't do well on the Precalculus exam. Instead of retaking it, in 10th and 11th grade, you take the Calculus exam to show that you've improved over the past two years and are now taking this advanced math subject.

"This would demonstrate clearer progress," Ms. Khanh suggested.

Aside from a few top schools that require students to achieve a maximum score of 5 in AP, many others do not have such a requirement.

"Schools will prefer it if you demonstrate that you study a diverse range of subjects. You might excel in one subject and get a 5, but only a 3 or 4 in another. Admissions committees will look at the applicant holistically, rather than judging you on just one test," Ms. Khanh explained.

In response to a parent's question about when students should take AP exams, Ms. Khanh said that students need AP scores before applying for overseas studies, so they can take them in 11th grade, or even 10th grade. Many 12th-grade students still take AP exams after receiving their university application results. At that point, the purpose of the exam is no longer for admission but for credit conversion.

In the US, most universities don't require students to choose a major in their first year. You have the first year, or even the first two years, to take many classes and choose courses that suit you.

"If you've taken AP exams, the credits are transferred, and you don't have to take some basic courses, giving you more time to explore other subjects and find those that better suit your major," Ms. Khanh said.

Pham Ngoc Phuc, a 10th-grade student majoring in Russian at Hanoi - Amsterdam High School for Gifted Students, attended the sharing session with a friend to gain more information about AP courses. Phuc plans to apply for a scholarship to study in the US but has not yet taken AP courses.

"It was very helpful. I had researched AP before, but interacting directly with the organizers here made me understand the benefits and things to keep in mind better," Phuc said, adding that he will study subjects related to Mathematics to pursue a Computer Science degree.

Dawn

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