AP (Advanced Placement)

— AP Exam

Why Does ACE Recommend Taking the AP?

AP (Advanced Placement) is a program developed by the College Board (CB) in collaboration with high school and university educators across the United States. Designed as college-level courses for high school students, AP classes are roughly equivalent in difficulty to a first-year university course.

Although AP scores are optional in college applications, they remain an important admissions factor. Strong AP results help applicants stand out in a highly competitive international pool. For students aiming for top-ranked and highly selective majors, ACE recommends completing at least 10 AP subjects with high scores, as this demonstrates strong academic preparation and alignment with program expectations—especially for students who are not enrolled in the IB curriculum or are applying to universities that do not consider SAT scores.

High AP scores (commonly 4 or above) can also earn students university credit or scholarships. This allows them to waive required courses, reduce future course load, and explore more advanced or specialized academic interests once in college.

— About AP

Quickly Understand AP Exam Content

Even if students have not taken AP courses, they are still eligible to register for AP exams. As long as there are no major scheduling conflicts between exam subjects, students may register for multiple exams.

AP exams are divided into 7 major subject categories, covering a total of 39 subjects:

Science	AP Biology	AP Chemistry	AP Environmental Science	AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based	AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based	AP Physics C: Mechanics	AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism	AP Computer Science A	AP Computer Science Principles
Math	AP Calculus AB	AP Calculus BC	AP Statistics	AP Precalculus
History and Social Sciences	AP U.S. History	AP World History: Modern	AP European History	AP United States Government and Politics	AP Comparative Government and Politics	AP Macroeconomics	AP Microeconomics	AP Human Geography	AP Psychology
English	AP English Language and Composition	AP English Literature and Composition
World Languages and Cultures	AP Chinese Language and Culture	AP French Language and Culture	AP German Language and Culture	AP Italian Language and Culture	AP Japanese Language and Culture	AP Latin	AP Spanish Language and Culture	AP Spanish Literature and Culture
Art	AP Art History	AP 2-D Art and Design	AP 3-D Art and Design	AP Drawing	AP Music Theory
Capstone Program	AP Seminar	AP Research

AP exams are divided into two sections. The first section consists of multiple-choice questions, while the second section includes free-response questions. The format and question types vary by subject. There is no penalty for incorrect answers, and the free-response section places greater emphasis on students’ analytical and critical thinking skills.

The highest possible AP score is 5, with the scoring scale as follows:

5 – Extremely well qualified (A+ / A)

4 – Well qualified (A− / B+ / B)

3 – Qualified / Passing (B− / C+ / C)

2 – Possibly qualified

1 – No recommendation

A score of 3 or above is generally considered a passing score. If AP scores are used to strengthen college applications, the American Council on Education (ACE) recommends earning at least a score of 4.

Starting in May 2025, AP exams will introduce a digital testing format. Exams will be administered through the Bluebook app. However, subjects that require paper-based responses, portfolios, or speaking assessments will continue to use their original testing formats.

— AP Key Point

Key Strategies for Taking AP Exams Recommended by ACE

AP exams are considered optional components in the college application process. Other important factors include SAT scores, grade point average (GPA), extracurricular activities, and competition experience. In other words, successful college applications require more than just strong AP results. Within the limited time of secondary education, students must balance both academic performance and extracurricular commitments.

Therefore, ACE recommends that parents plan early to avoid being forced into difficult trade-offs due to time pressure in the later years of high school. In addition, parents can develop effective strategies for achieving high AP scores based on the student’s current grade level, academic readiness, and future goals.

AP Prep. Begins
G8.Jul
First AP Exam
G9.May
AP Prep. Begins
G9.Jul
Second AP Exam
G10.May
AP Prep. Begins
G10.Jul
Third AP Exam(Last for College Applications!)
G11.May
Final AP Prep.
G11.Jul
Foruth AP Exam (For College Credit Only!)
G12.May

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From a timeline perspective, AP exams are offered only once per year. Even if students begin preparing as early as the summer between Grade 8 and Grade 9, they will have only three to four exam opportunities in total. If a student’s goal is to apply to top-ranked universities in the United States, ACE strongly recommends achieving high scores in more than 10 AP subjects.

G8 – G9

In the context of college applications, students from China, who share the same native language as students from Taiwan, are often evaluated and compared together. Most Chinese students who have already decided to pursue higher education in the United States begin building their AP subject foundations as early as Grade 7.

ACE uses this example to emphasize that AP scores are one of the key factors in competing for admission to top universities. Amid students’ busy academic planning, ACE recommends starting AP preparation during the summer between Grade 8 and Grade 9.

If students have clear academic or career goals, they should prioritize AP subjects that align with the intended major or department requirements. If no specific goals have been set, ACE suggests starting with subjects that students are more likely to perform well in, such as AP Environmental Science or AP Psychology.

G10 – G11

At this stage, most students already have clear target universities and intended majors, and earning AP scores becomes an essential part of their academic planning. With only three (or even fewer) exam opportunities, ACE first recommends that students evaluate their current academic workload, SAT preparation progress, and the AP subject requirements of their target programs to determine which AP exams should be prioritized.

If AP elective courses are available at the student’s school, ACE strongly encourages enrollment, as strong performance in these courses can also be used to enhance college applications.

G12

Students who take AP exams in Grade 12 should be especially aware that their scores may not be released in time for college applications. For students who have already been admitted to a university, ACE recommends taking AP exams that are eligible for college credit within their intended major.

Doing so can reduce tuition costs and allow students to free up time to pursue advanced coursework or focus on career development.

Guidelines for Selecting AP Subjects — ACE Recommendations

For students interested in biomedical or life sciences, ACE recommends preparing AP Mathematics and Biology-related subjects.

For students interested in business, ACE suggests focusing on AP Mathematics and economics-related subjects within the social sciences.

For students interested in law, ACE recommends preparing AP English and social science subjects.

For students pursuing science, engineering, or technology (STEM) fields, ACE advises strong preparation in AP Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science.

Overall, ACE emphasizes that solid preparation in mathematics and language-related subjects is essential, complemented by additional discipline-specific AP courses to demonstrate academic strengths and subject proficiency.

— ACE Can Help

How Does ACE Help You Achieve High AP Scores?

The College Board has conducted surveys on the role of AP in college admissions, and the results show that 85% of colleges and universities prefer applicants who submit AP scores.

With extensive experience in AP instruction, ACE provides comprehensive support—from initial planning to achieving top scores. ACE can help you:

young-college-students-come-back-study 2

Help students select the most suitable combination of AP subjects

Expert instructors teach proven strategies for achieving high scores in AP subjects and provide in-depth analysis of common mistakes

Participate in ACE-designed mock tests to become familiar with AP exam formats and master effective test-taking pace

Reduce anxiety associated with both short-term intensive preparation and long-term exam planning

AP scores are not mandatory for college applications, but they can give students a competitive advantage. AP exam strategies vary depending on the intended major. ACE helps students identify which AP subjects will best support their applications to their dream universities and programs.

English	Math	History	Social Science	Science	Computer Science	Language
AP Language	AP PreCalclus	AP US History	AP Psychology	AP Biology	AP Computer Science A	AP Spanish
AP Literature	AP Calculus	AP World History	AP Government	AP Chemistry	AP Computer Science Principles
	AP Statistics	AP Europe History	AP Microeconomics	AP Physics
			AP Macroeconomics	AP Environmental Science

ACE offers the following AP courses. For questions or inquiries about additional subjects, please contact ACE Official LINE directly.

ENGLISH	MATH	HISTORY	SOCIAL SCIENCE	SCIENCE	COMPUTER SCIENCE	LANGUAGE
AP Language	AP PreCalclus	AP US History	AP Psychology	AP Biology	AP Computer Science A	AP Spanish
AP Literature	AP AP Calculus	AP World History	AP Government	AP Chemistry	AP Computer Science Principles
	AP Statistics	AP Europe History	AP Microeconomics	AP Physics
			AP Macroeconomics	AP Environmental Science

Contact ACE to plan your test strategy

— AP Schedule

AP Exam Schedule & Locations

Because there are many AP exam subjects, exams are held during a two-week period each year, typically in the first and second weeks of May. Score reports are released in July.
If scheduling conflicts occur, students may apply for a late-testing (make-up) exam.

May 5 – May 9, 2025
May 12 – May 16, 2025

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AP exams are offered at testing centers in northern, central, and southern Taiwan. However, available test locations may vary each year, and some centers may not be open to students from other schools.
For the most up-to-date list of available testing centers in Taiwan, please refer to the official website.

Note:

*College Board (CB):
Founded in 1900, the College Board is a nonprofit educational organization with a membership of more than 3,800 colleges and universities. It provides standardized assessments for higher education admissions, including the SAT.

*AP Scores as One of the Criteria for U.S. College Admissions:
In addition to AP exams, U.S. college admissions evaluations also consider SAT scores, grade point average (GPA), TOEFL scores, extracurricular activities, and other factors.

*Universities That Do Not Require SAT Scores:
In recent years, many colleges and universities in the United States have announced that they no longer require SAT scores for admissions. The University of California (UC) system was among the first to officially adopt a test-optional / test-free policy.

*College Credit and Placement:
In addition to most colleges and universities in the United States, AP scores can also be used for college credit or placement at institutions in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries.
However, whether AP credits can be applied to required or elective courses varies by institution and department.
Students can check each school’s AP credit and placement policies at the following website:
https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting-credit-placement/search-policies

*Emphasis on Critical Thinking in Free-Response Questions:
This means that, rather than focusing solely on standard or fixed answers, the exam places greater importance on students’ ability to explain their reasoning, demonstrate analytical thinking, and engage in independent thought.

*85% of Colleges and Universities Prefer Applicants with AP Scores:
“…85% of selective colleges and universities report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions.”

ref. https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/about-ap/ap-a-glance/discover-benefits#footnote-2-origin

— Choose ACE

Choose ACE

ACE believes that every student has a unique learning pace and untapped potential. With years of experience in international curricula and standardized test preparation, we design personalized learning plans that best suit each student, guiding them step by step as they build confidence and academic strength.

Book a Consultation Now

AP (Advanced Placement)

— AP Exam

Why Does ACE Recommend Taking the AP?

— About AP

Quickly Understand AP Exam Content

— AP Key Point

Key Strategies for Taking AP Exams Recommended by ACE

AP Prep. Begins

First AP Exam

AP Prep. Begins

Second AP Exam

AP Prep. Begins

Third AP Exam(Last for College Applications!)

Final AP Prep.

Foruth AP Exam (For College Credit Only!)

G8 – G9

G10 – G11

G12

— ACE Can Help

How Does ACE Help You Achieve High AP Scores?

— AP Schedule

AP Exam Schedule & Locations

Note:

— Choose ACE

Choose ACE