The AP Program is a collaborative effort among motivated students, dedicated teachers and committed high schools, colleges and universities. Since its inception in 1955, the AP Program has allowed millions of students to take college –level courses and exams to earn college credit or college placement while still in high school.

Sixty percent of US high schools currently participate in the AP Program. Most colleges and universities in the USA, as well as colleges and universities in more than 30 other countries, have an AP Policy for granting incoming students credit, placement or both on the basis of their AP Exam grades. Many of these institutions grant up to a full year of college credit (sophomore standing) to students who earn a sufficient number of qualifying AP grades. (AP Program Guide College Board 2006).