1. What is AP? AP stands for Advanced Placement. AP courses are college level courses offered at the high school level for which students can earn college credit or placement. We currently offer 22 different AP courses.

2. McKinney North High School received a Gold Performance Awardfrom TEA for our 2009 AP Scores. Only 111 out of 8,317 high schools in Texas were given this award.

3. Why Take AP Exams? Students whose AP grades exempt them from introductory college classes typically do better in subsequent higher-level courses than those students who actually take the introductory college course. (College Board Research)

4. AP and College Success™ Students who take AP courses and exams are much more likely than their peers to complete a bachelor’s degree in four years or less. Source: AP and Dual Enrollment. College Board, 2009. Study conducted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and UT at Austin.

5. Earn academic scholarshipsor awards Some of the most competitive scholarship awards value AP Exam grades: “Having the AP Exam grade can make the difference when it comes down to awarding precious scholarship dollars.” —Edwina Harris Hamby, Dean of AdmissionFisk University

6. Feedback from AP Scholars My AP classes in high school were just as hard as my college classes that I have now. Time management and self-discipline are crucial for college….something my AP classes helped me with. I was able to register for college as a sophomore this semester – I got to register in front of all my friends and I actually got classes when I wanted them! Even though I did not pass one of my AP exams, I felt very prepared for my college class and made one of the top scores in that class at college.

7. What is considered passing for the AP exams? AP scores are given as a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Receiving a 3, 4, 5 is considered passing. Some colleges may only accept 4, 5’s ….it depends on the college and the major.

8. AP Credit and PlacementPolicy Information Information about AP credit and placement policies at many colleges and universities is now available on the College Board’s Web site: www.collegeboard.com/ap/ creditpolicy

9. AP Credit Policy: Texas A&M

10. Course Registration for next year Some AP courses have required summer reading Be aware that AP courses have “open” enrollment, but that there are strict guidelines in the contract regarding exiting the course Help your child choose courses wisely with consideration for his or her overall schedule and areas of passion

11. PreAP & AP contact person Deanne Pratt dpratt@mckinneyisd.net 469-742-4351