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About the College Board

The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the College Board was created to expand access to higher education. Today, the membership association is made up of over 6,000 of the world’s leading educational institutions and is dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education. Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million students prepare for a successful transition to college through programs and services in college readiness and college success—including the SAT® and the Advanced Placement Program®. The organization also serves the education community through research and advocacy on behalf of students, educators, and schools.  For further information, visit www.collegeboard.org.

Advanced Placement (AP®) Equity and Access Policy

The College Board strongly encourages educators to make equitable access a guiding principle for their AP® programs by giving all willing and academically prepared students the opportunity to participate in AP. We encourage the elimination of barriers that restrict access to AP for students from ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic groups that have been traditionally underrepresented. Schools should make every effort to ensure their AP classes reflect the diversity of their student population. The College Board also believes that all students should have access to academically challenging coursework before they enroll in AP classes, which can prepare them for AP success. It is only through a commitment to equitable preparation and access that true equity and excellence can be achieved.

AP scores can earn students valuable credit and placement in college.

At the end of each school year, in April or May, students are encouraged to take the corresponding AP® exam(s). To pass the exam, students must score a 3 or better on a five-point scale: 5 – extremely well qualified; 4 – well qualified; 3 – qualified; 2 – possibly qualified; and 1 – no recommendation. Scores on AP® exams do not influence a student's grade point average (GPA); however, course grades for AP® receive more weight than regular course grades. In calculating high school GPAs, a "B" in an AP® course is counted as an "A," a "C" is counted as a "B," and so on. A comparison table is given below.