Advanced Placement
The Advanced Placement (AP) Program offers qualified TASIS students the opportunity to take college-level courses in a high school setting. Students who participate in the program not only gain college-level skills, but they may also earn college credit based on AP exam scores.
More than 3000 U.S. colleges and universities (or over 90 percent) give credit and advanced placement to AP students. Some 50 percent of U.S. colleges and universities offer sophomore standing to students who have a sufficient number of qualifying grades (usually 3 or higher).
TASIS offers Advanced Placement courses based on student enrollment and the availability of qualified teachers. Last year the following were offered: Art History, Biology, Calculus AB, Economics, English Language and Composition, English Literature and Composition, European History, French Language, French Literature, Physics, Spanish Language, and US History. In 2008, 53 students took a total of 90 exams: 27% of scores were 4 or above; 9% earned top scores of 5. All students who take AP courses are encouraged to take the examinations in that subject.
International Recognition: Because an American high school diploma alone is generally not considered equivalent to a European secondary school diploma, AP exams have long been used to enable students to enter directly into European universities upon graduation from TASIS. Traditionally the most popular European destination for TASIS graduates has been the United Kingdom. The British university system regards AP exams as equivalent to A levels. TASIS students normally take three or more AP exams to be competitive at the most selective British universities.
Over the last decade increasing numbers of universities throughout the world have begun to use AP exam results in the admissions process. Along with Britain, most countries recognizing the AP usually require three AP exams with qualifying scores (3 or above). Universities in Germany and Austria require four exams, while students intending to matriculate at a Swiss university must pass five AP exams in order to be eligible for direct admission upon graduation from TASIS. At present AP exam results are used as admissions criteria for universities in over 19 countries outside of the USA, including: - Australia - Ecuador - Mexico - Austria - Egypt - Poland - Belgium - France - Switzerland - Canada - Germany - The Netherlands - Colombia - Ireland - United Kingdom - Cyprus - Israel - Denmark - Lebanon
AP language examinations are often accepted as sufficient proof of required language fluency. At American-style universities outside the USA, college credit and advanced placement is typically granted for satisfactory AP scores. Some universities may require particular examinations for certain intended courses of study.
More specific information about the AP program and the admissions policies of individual universities may be obtained from the College Counselor.
