Some high schools offer AP classes to prepare students for the exam. AP teachers introduce students to the expectations of the exam and offer tips on how to succeed. Taking an AP course might better ensure a passing score on the exam, although you can study for the AP exam on your own.
AP exams are offered in 34 subjects, including languages, history, social sciences, geography, sciences, mathematics, art and music. The components of each exam vary from subject to subject. For example, the English literature exam tests students on literary interpretation and essay writing, while the exam for the course "U.S. Government & Politics" expects students to know about not only the structure of the U.S. government but the various political beliefs that color American politics.
Register through an AP teacher at your school. If AP is not offered at your school, register online through the College Board (collegeboard.org) and take the exams at a nearby participating school. You must pay a fee to take an AP exam. Bring No. 2 pencils for multiple choice questions and black or blue pens for short and long answer questions. Have your school code and social security numbers, an appropriate calculator for a math or science exam, a ruler for a physics exam, and photo identification if you take the test at another school. No notes, cheat sheets, portable music players or cell phones are allowed.
AP exams are rated out of a score of five, with five being the top score. On your exam paper, indicate the universities or college to receive your scores. AP exam graders will also send the scores to you and your high school. Different universities require different AP exam scores for acceptance.