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Advanced Placement
Advanced placement participation of Minnesota high school students
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are offered in 237 (out of 432) Minnesota high schools to prepare students to take exams offered by the College Board. This program gives students the opportunity to take college-level courses while in high school and is one of several college prep options available to Minnesota high school students. In 2011-12, 37,364 Minnesota high school students took 62,023 AP examinations. Of all Minnesota AP test takers:
- The number of students taking the AP exam increased 6.5 percent from 35,091 in 2011 to 37,364 in 2012; slightly higher than the national increase.
- The number of subject exams taken increased 8.9 percent from 56,942 in 2011 to 62,023 in 2012.
- Minnesota high schools increase in participation and performance on AP exams has increased at a higher percentage than the nation in the last five years.
- Fourteen percent of test takers were students of color an increase of 13 percent from the previous year, from 4,580 to 5,169.
- Minnesota high schools have increased access to AP exams amongst American Indian, Asian, Black and Hispanic student populations while increasing overall performance at a higher percent increase than the nation for each subgroup.
- AP exam grades of 3 to 5 were achieved on 40,702 exams; an increase of 10 percent from the previous year.
- More women than men took AP exams; 54 percent compared to 46 percent.
- Minnesota students took 34 subject-specific AP exams.
74 Percent of Exams were in 10 Subjects
| Score | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | AP Exam | Number of Exams | Percent of Total | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 1 | History: United States | 7,799 | 12.6% | 14% | 28% | 25% | 23% | 11% |
| 2 | English Language & Composition | 6,642 | 10.7% | 6% | 24% | 33% | 24% | 12% |
| 3 | English Literature & Composition | 5,869 | 9.5% | 5% | 31% | 36% | 20% | 8% |
| 4 | Mathematics: Calculus AB | 5,369 | 8.7% | 24% | 12% | 20% | 19% | 24% |
| 5 | Statistics | 3,975 | 6.4% | 14% | 19% | 31% | 24% | 12% |
| 6 | Psychology | 3,894 | 6.3% | 14% | 14% | 21% | 30% | 21% |
| 7 | Biology | 3,203 | 5.2% | 32% | 17% | 17% | 19% | 16% |
| 8 | Human Geography | 3,122 | 5.0% | 16% | 18% | 23% | 26% | 17% |
| 9 | History: World | 3,022 | 4.9% | 7% | 27% | 38% | 20% | 8% |
| 10 | Government & Politics: United States | 2,841 | 4.6% | 10% | 23% | 28% | 21% | 17% |
AP Exams Taken in Mathematics and Science Grows
The number of subject-specific exams in mathematics and science (biology, chemistry, computer science, environmental science, calculus, physics and statistics) accounted for 32 percent of all subject exams. There were 19,969 exams taken in these areas; a 9 percent increase from the previous year, and a 35 percent increase from five years ago when 14,769 exams were taken.
About the AP
The College Board administers the Advanced Placement (AP) exam. Most students study for the AP exam by taking year-long AP specific courses offered through their high school. AP exams can also be taken by any student who has taken strong courses or studied in-depth on their own. AP coursework is available online through a variety of private education companies. The exams are optional. More students may take AP courses in high school then sit for the exam.
An AP grade of at least 3, on a scale of 1 to 5, is an indicator of an ability to do successful work at most colleges. Some colleges will grant new entering freshmen college credit if they obtain certain grades on their AP exams. Policies on granting college credit vary by college.
More Information:
- AP Participation by Minnesota Students
- AP Exams Taken by Specific Course
- AP Participation by Race/Ethnicity
Related Links
- Minnesota Department of Education
- Dual Credit and Exam-Based Courses in U.S. Public High Schools: 2002-03
- AP National and State Summary Reports
- Search for AP Courses Offered in Minnesota High Schools
- Progress and Possibilities: Trends in Public High School Student Participation with Minnesotas Dual Credit Programs 2006-2011
