About the AP Subject Exam

What is AP?

AP is a rigorous academic programme that enables motivated students to undertake courses equivalent to those taken in universities while still in secondary or high school. The College Board offers 38 different AP exams, where each exam has its own specifications. 

AP examinations are assessments used to gauge a person’s knowledge of a specific subject. By passing one of these tests, you can demonstrate that your level of knowledge is equivalent to that of a college student who has successfully completed the relevant coursework. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are a terrific method to obtain college credit while still in high school and preparing for college.

Read further to know what each AP subject entails in terms of their examination.

General sections for the exams:

There are two sections for each AP subject. 

• Multiple Choice: Individual, stand-alone questions as well as groups of questions that pertain to the same visual or data presentation are both included in the multiple-choice portion
• Free Response: There are three lengthy essay questions (10 points each) and four short answer questions in the free response section (worth 4 points each)

AP SCIENCES:

AP Chemistry:

Your knowledge of the scientific principles taught in the course units as well as your capacity to plan and explain chemical experiments will be evaluated on the AP Chemistry Exam.

Section 1: Multiple Choice Total number of question: 60  Time duration: 1 hr 45 minutes Weightage: 50% of the score

Section 2: Free response Total number of question: 7  Time duration: 1 hr 45 minutes Weightage: 50% of the score

Notes:

• A scientific or graphing calculator is recommended for both sections of the exam.  
• You will be provided with a periodic table and a formula sheet that lists specific and relevant formulas for use on the exam.

Here are a few universities that accept college credit if you score a 5 in AP Chemistry:

• Carnegie Mellon University
• Cornell University
• Harvard University
• Tufts University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Vanderbilt University

AP Biology:

Your comprehension of the biological ideas presented in the course units, as well as your capacity to use the scientific process and interpret data, will be evaluated on the AP Biology Exam.

Section 1: Multiple Choice Total number of question: 60  Time duration: 1 hr 30 minutes Weightage: 50% of the score

Section 2: Free response Total number of question: 6  Time duration: 1 hr 30 minutes Weightage: 50% of the score

Notes:

• A four-function calculator (with square root), scientific, or graphing functions can be used throughout exam

Here are a few universities that accept college credit if you score a 5 in AP Biology:

• Columbia University
• John Hopkins University
• Harvard University
• Princeton University
• Northwestern University
• Tufts University

AP Physics 1:

Your knowledge of the scientific ideas presented in the course units as well as your proficiency in using algebra to solve problems involving Newtonian physics, energy, and other topics will be evaluated on the AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based Exam.

Section 1: Multiple Choice Total number of question: 50  Time duration: 1 hr 30 minutes Weightage: 50% of the score

Section 2: Free response Total number of question: 5  Time duration: 1 hr 30 minutes Weightage: 50% of the score

Notes:

• You can use a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator throughout the exam, and you will be provided with tables of commonly used physics equations and formulas.

Here are a few universities that accept college credit if you score a 5 in AP Physics 1:

• Brown University
• Cornell University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Princeton University
• Northwestern University
• Vanderbilt University

AP Environmental Science:

Your comprehension of the environmental ideas presented in the course units as well as your capacity to create research studies to address environmental issues will be evaluated on the AP Environmental Science Exam.

Section 1: Multiple Choice Total number of question: 80  Time duration: 1 hr 30 minutes Weightage: 60% of the score

Section 2: Free response Total number of question: 3  Time duration: 1 hr 10 minutes Weightage: 40% of the score

Notes:

• Calculators are permitted for use in all sections of the exam.

Here are a few universities that accept college credit if you score a 5 in AP  Environmental Science:

• Brown University
• Colorado College
• University of Miami
• Swarthmore College
• Northwestern University
• Bard College

AP MATH AND COMPUTER SCIENCE:

AP Calculus AB:

The AP Calculus AB Exam will assess your knowledge of the mathematical ideas taught in the course units as well as your aptitude for selecting the best formulae and methods for solving problems and for expressing your results using the appropriate notations.

Section 1: Multiple Choice Total number of question: 45  Time duration: 1 hr 45 minutes Weightage: 50% of the score

Section 2: Free response Total number of question: 6  Time duration: 1 hr 30 minutes Weightage: 50% of the score

Notes:

• A graphing calculator is permitted for parts of the exam.

Here are a few universities that accept college credit if you score a 5 in AP  Environmental Science:

• Duke University
• Harvard University
• Princeton University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Stanford University
• Yale University
  

AP Computer Science A:

Your understanding of the programming ideas covered in the course modules as well as your ability to read and write computer programme code will be tested on the Computer Science A Exam.

Section 1: Multiple Choice Total number of question: 40  Time duration: 1 hr 30 minutes Weightage: 50% of the score

Section 2: Free response Total number of question: 4  Time duration: 1 hr 30 minutes Weightage: 50% of the score

Here are a few universities that accept college credit if you score a 5 in AP  Environmental Science:

• Cornell University
• John Hopkins University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Westminster University
• Vanderbilt University
• University of Michigan

AP SOCIAL SCIENCES:

AP Microeconomics:

Your ability to identify economic principles and models, explain given economic outcomes, predict the results of certain economic situations, and model economic events using graphs or other visual representations will all be tested on the AP Microeconomics Exam.

Section 1: Multiple Choice Total number of question: 60  Time duration: 1 hr 10 minutes Weightage: 66% of the score

Section 2: Free response Total number of question: 3  Time duration: 1 hr  Weightage: 33% of the score

Notes:

• A four-function calculator is permitted for use on both sections of the exam.

Here are a few universities that accept college credit if you score a 5 in AP Microeconomics:

• Carnegie Mellon University
• Dartmouth University
• Emory University
• Harvard University
• Princeton University
• John Hopkins University

AP Human Geography:

Your comprehension of the geographical ideas presented in the course modules, as well as your capacity to analyze maps, geospatial data, infographics, and more, will be evaluated on the AP Human Geography Exam.

Section 1: Multiple Choice Total number of question: 60  Time duration: 1 hr  Weightage: 50% of the score

Section 2: Free response Total number of question: 3  Time duration: 1 hr 15 minutes Weightage: 50% of the score

Here are a few universities that accept college credit if you score a 5 in AP Human Geography:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Northwestern University
• Bard College
• The College of New Jersey
• Wellesley College
• St Michael’s College
  

AP Psychology:

Your comprehension of the psychological ideas presented in the course units as well as your capacity to analyze behavioral research are evaluated in the AP Psychology Exam.

Section 1: Multiple Choice Total number of question: 100  Time duration: 1 hr 10 minutes Weightage: 67% of the score

Section 2: Free response Total number of question: 2  Time duration: 50 mins  Weightage: 33% of the score

Here are a few universities that accept college credit if you score a 5 in AP Psychology:

• Duke University
• Georgetown University
• Emory University
• Harvard University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Northwestern University

AP ENGLISH:

AP English Language and Composition:

Your comprehension of the literary ideas taught in the course modules, as well as your capacity to analyze texts and create written arguments based on your interpretations, will be tested on the AP English Language and Composition Exam.

Section 1: Multiple Choice Total number of question: 45  Time duration: 1 hr  Weightage: 45% of the score

Section 2: Free response Total number of question: 3  Time duration: 2 hrs 15 mins Weightage: 55% of the score

Here are a few universities that accept college credit if you score a 5 in AP English Language and Composition:

• Carnegie Mellon University
• Columbia University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Harvard University
• Northwestern University
• Georgetown University

AP ARTS:

AP Art History:

Your comprehension of the art historical ideas taught in the course modules, as well as your capacity to evaluate and contrast works of art and set them in historical perspective, will be examined on the AP Art History Exam.

Section 1: Multiple Choice Total number of question: 80  Time duration: 1 hr  Weightage: 50% of the score

Section 2: Free response Total number of question: 6  Time duration: 2 hrs Weightage: 50% of the score

Here are a few universities that accept college credit if you score a 5 in AP Art History:

• Carnegie Mellon University
• Brown University
• Duke University
• Harvard University
• Emory University
• Northwestern University

AP WORLD LANGUAGES AND CULTURES:

AP French Language and Culture:

Your ability to use the language and communication skills you learned in class as well as your knowledge of French-speaking cultures will be evaluated on the AP French Language and Culture Exam.

In Section IA: Multiple Choice Total number of question: 30  Time duration: 40 mins  Weightage: 23% of the score	In Section IB: Multiple Choice with Audio Total number of question: 35  Time duration: 55 mins Weightage: 27% of the score
Section IIA: Free response Written Total number of question: 2  Time duration: 1 hr 10 mins  Weightage: 25% of the score	Section IIB: Free response Spoken Total number of question: 2  Time duration: 18 mins Weightage: 25% of the score

Here are a few universities that accept college credit if you score a 5 in AP French Language and Culture:

• Dartmouth University
• Princeton University
• Duke University
• Harvard University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Stanford University
• Yale University

I hope reading this blog has given you a clearer idea on the AP Subject examination and which colleges accept credits with a minimum score of 5. 

All the best!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is an AP Subject Exam?

A: An AP Subject Exam is an exam that assesses a student’s knowledge and skills in a specific subject area at a college-level. It is offered by the College Board as part of the Advanced Placement (AP) Program.

Q2: What subjects are covered in AP Subject Exams?

A: AP Subject Exams are offered in a variety of subjects, including English, math, science, social studies, and world languages.

Q3: How is an AP Subject Exam scored?

A: AP Subject Exams are scored on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being the highest score. The scores are based on a combination of multiple-choice and free-response questions, and are intended to reflect a student’s level of mastery of the subject.

Q4: What are the benefits of taking an AP Subject Exam?

A: Taking an AP Subject Exam can provide several benefits, including the opportunity to earn college credit or advanced placement, demonstrating proficiency in a subject to college admissions officers, and preparing students for the rigors of college-level coursework.

Q5: How can someone prepare for an AP Subject Exam?

A: Someone can prepare for an AP Subject Exam by reviewing the content and skills covered in the exam, practicing with sample questions and exams, seeking guidance and feedback from their teacher, and engaging with a variety of sources and materials related to the subject.