Advanced Placement (AP) exams give high school students the opportunity to earn college credit by passing tests in up to 30 subjects ranging from foreign languages to math, science and literature. These standardized tests quiz students on their knowledge of a particular topic and assign them a score between one and five. A five is the highest score available and indicates that the student is exceptionally proficient, while a three indicates that the student is qualified and an one indicates that the student is not recommended to opt out of classes in that subject. Many high schools offer AP specific classes to help students get a leg up on these challenging exams, however it is not necessary to take AP classes to register for the tests.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) program is not only a series of placement tests, but also a world-wide system of study. Students in the IB program can opt to earn the IB Diploma, which can grant certain privileges and benefits to the holder when applying to colleges both at home and abroad. To earn the diploma, each student must take six classes in a variety of fields. At the end of each class, students will take an IB exam in that subject and be graded on a scale of one through seven. A score of four is considered passing. Students can be granted college credit for each of these tests, whether they earn the full diploma or not. However, students must be enrolled in an IB class to take the exam.
The College-Level Exam Program (CLEP) tests are available for current college students who have the knowledge and proficiency within a certain subject to earn college credit. These tests, which can be set up through the admissions office or an advisor, enable students to take standardized tests in 33 different subjects with the opportunity of earning credits and making progress toward graduation without spending the time and money necessary to take a full course. CLEP tests can prove especially useful for those who are bilingual, but are required by their university to take a particular number of hours in a foreign language.