AP Syllabus : What You Will Learn in Different AP Courses

The Advanced Placement (AP) program is a major opportunity that makes it possible to cover certain college courses and exams for college credits while still in high school. In essence, the syllabi of the AP subjects are more than blueprints of lessons and academic programs; they prepare students for academic success in college. The College Board curates the AP syllabus for every AP exam in a very effective manner. The AP syllabus is developed by high school teachers and college professors who work hand in hand.

AP currently offers 38 courses and tests. These start with basic subjects such as Calculus and Literature and include more specialized ones such as Computer Science and Environmental Science. Each AP syllabus is unique, but all share a common goal: to improve the learning processes and question students’ talents while strengthening their college academic learning.

AP Syllabus vs High School Syllabus

What sets the AP syllabus apart from standard high school courses is its emphasis on:

The ability to offer critical analysis of situations as well as solve problems.
Some of these students could handle college-level academic writing.
Self-responsibility for the identification of research opportunities.
Problem-solving methodologies
The professional experience in the subject matter of the content.

What You Will Learn in Different AP Courses: AP Syllabus

All AP exams have a specific AP syllabus based on different subjects.

Category of AP Exam	Name of AP Course	AP Syllabus for Course
AP Capstone	AP Capstone Diploma Program	A diploma program combining AP Research and AP Seminars to develop scholarly research. Analytical skills. Writing skills.
	AP Research	Advanced research methodology. Academic writing. Independent investigation skills resulting in a 4,000-5,000 word paper.
	AP Seminar	Critical thinking. Research analysis. Rvidence-based argumentation. Academic discourse skills.
Arts	AP 2-D Art and Design	Portfolio development focusing on 2-D design principles. Various media, and techniques in digital or physical formats.
	AP 3-D Art and Design	Three-dimensional artwork creation. Spatial relationships. Material manipulation. Sculptural concepts.
	AP Drawing	Drawing techniques. Mark-making. Line quality. Light and shade. Composition and artistic expression.
	AP Art History	Analysis of global art history spanning 250 works, cultural contexts, and artistic movements from prehistory to the present.
	AP Music Theory	Music Composition. Notation. Harmony. Rhythm. Sight-singing and aural skills development.
English	AP English Language and Composition	Rhetorical analysis. Argumentative writing. Critical reading of non-fiction texts.
	AP English Literature and Composition	Literary analysis. Critical reading of fiction. Poetry, drama, and analytical writing skills.
History and Social Sciences	AP African American Studies	African American history, culture, political movements, and contemporary issues.
	AP Comparative Government and Politics	Political systems. Governance structures. Comparative analysis of different countries.
	AP European History	European history from 1450 to the present, including cultural, economic, and political developments.
	AP Human Geography	Patterns of human population, migration, culture, language, religion, and urban development.
	AP Macroeconomics	National income. Price determination. Economic performance measures, and international economics.
	AP Microeconomics	Supply and demand. Market structures. Factor markets. Efficiency concepts.
	AP United States Government and Politics	U.S. political system. Constitutional framework. Civil rights and political institutions.
	AP United States History	U.S. history from the pre-Columbian era to the present, including social, political, and economic developments.
	AP World History: Modern	Global historical patterns, interactions, and developments from 1200 CE to the present.
Math and Computer Science	AP Calculus AB	Limits, derivatives, integrals, and their applications (one semester of college calculus).
	AP Calculus BC	Extended calculus concepts including series, and parametric equations (two semesters of college calculus).
	AP Computer Science A	Java Programming. Object-oriented design. Algorithms. Data structures.
	AP Computer Science Principles	Computing concepts. Programming fundamentals. Data processing. Digital innovations.
	AP Precalculus	Advanced algebraic concepts. Functions. Trigonometry. Preparation for calculus.
	AP Statistics	Data analysis. Probability. Sampling. Experimentation. Statistical inference.
Sciences	AP Biology	Cellular processes. Genetics. Evolution. Organisms. Ecology. Biological interactions.
	AP Chemistry	Atomic structure. Chemical reactions. Thermodynamics. Chemical equilibrium.
	AP Environmental Science	Environmental systems. Resource use. Pollution. Global environmental challenges.
	AP Physics 1	Mechanics. Waves. Sound. Basic electrical circuits (algebra-based).
	AP Physics 2	Fluids. Thermodynamics. Electricity. Magnetism. Optics. Nuclear physics (algebra-based).
	AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism	Advanced electricity and magnetism concepts (calculus-based).
	AP Physics C: Mechanics	Advanced mechanics concepts, including kinematics and dynamics (calculus-based).
World Languages and Cultures	AP Chinese Language and Culture	Mandarin language proficiency. Chinese culture, and communication skills.
	AP French Language and Culture	French language proficiency. Francophone cultures, and communication skills.
	AP German Language and Culture	German language proficiency. Germanic cultures, and communication skills.
	AP Italian Language and Culture	Italian language proficiency. Italian culture, and communication skills.
	AP Japanese Language and Culture	Japanese language proficiency. Japanese culture, and communication skills.
	AP Latin	Latin literature analysis. Roman culture, and classical literary devices.
	AP Spanish Language and Culture	Spanish language proficiency. Hispanic cultures, and communication skills.
	AP Spanish Literature and Culture	Analysis of Spanish and Latin American literature. Historical contexts, and cultural connections.

AP Scores and What They Mean

AP Score for Exam	Remark	Equivalent Grade for the College Course
5	Extremely well qualified for the course. (You will get credit for the course.)	A or A+
4	Very well qualified for the course. ( You will get credit for the AP course.)	B, B+, or A-
3	Qualified for the course. ( You might get credit for the AP course in your college.)	B-, C+, or C
2	Maybe qualified for the course.	—-
1	No recommendation.	—-

AP Exam Fees

Description	Location	Cost per Exam
AP Exam (except AP Research and AP Seminar)	For DoDEA schools, the U.S., Canada,	$99 (~INR 8327.75)
AP Seminar or AP Research Exam taken anywhere	Everywhere	$147 (~INR 12365.44)
AP Exam (except AP Research and AP Seminar)	For Candidates outside the U.S.	$129 (~INR 10851.31)

Tips for Success in AP Exams

Time management is of the essence when it comes to finishing your AP syllabus. Below are a few tips to cover AP syllabus:

Structured Study Approach	Create a daily revision schedule with dedicated time slots. Review old textbooks and notes systematically. Incorporate both traditional and recent study resources to cover the entire AP syllabus. Make focused notes aligned with the AP exam pattern.
Utilize AP Classroom Resources	Access AP Classroom through your College Board account. Take advantage of personalized study reports. Track progress and identify AP syllabus areas needing improvement. Access practice materials and assessment tools.
Leverage Digital Learning Tools	Watch AP Daily Videos for topic-wise learning. Use AP Daily: Practice Sessions recordings. Access AP Daily: Live Review sessions. Use on-demand video resources for flexible learning. Review previous years’ recorded sessions.
Practice and Assessment	Take regular practice tests and keep your time under check. Focus on both multiple-choice and long questions. Review and understand scoring rules. Practice time management during mock exams. Analyze performance and make changes to study strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much do you have to score to get a 5 point in an AP exam?

In most exams, a 70 to 75 % in an exam translates to a 5 point in an AP exam. This means that as long as you have a decent chunk of the AP syllabus covered, you can easily get good scores.

Is a score of 3 considered a pass in an AP exam?

According to the College Board, a score of 3 is considered a pass in an AP exam.

Can you retake AP exams?

Although you can retake AP exams, they are taken only once a year. So you have to wait a year to take them again after brushing up your AP syllabus.

How long do the AP exams usually last?

AP exams usually last around 2 to 3 hours. Longer exams with multiple sections tend to last at most 3 hours.

Can you delete AP exam scores?

Yes, you can delete AP scores. Even if you have taken the AP exam and you have a valid score, you can request the College Board to delete the score. The scores will be deleted from the records permanently.

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