Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement (AP)課程與考試介紹

欲申請國際頂尖大學的同學，面對越來越強的競爭，光有高分TOEFL、SAT/ACT、SAT II (Subjects)是否足夠? 隨著各校成績標準不一，參加國際性認證的AP考試已是趨勢!近年來大多數常春藤大學錄取學生都有多達3科以上的AP課程或通過AP考試。因此，修習AP課程或通過考試不但可以抵免大學學分且省下不少學分費用外，更可以直接進入大學高階課程的學習，也增加了大學申請的優勢!大學很難藉由學校成績單上的成績來評斷一位學生在某學科的潛能與資質。

Advanced Placement (AP)課程，是由SAT考試機構College Board集合美國優秀的高中及大學老師們所共同設計的一套課程標準。

AP課程相當於大學一年級課程的程度。故較適合在某些科目表現較為優秀，並已完成該科目高中範圍課程的學生修習。通過AP考試者，可憑AP Exam成績向大學申請學分折抵(但參與AP考試並不要求一定要先修過AP課程)。

AP也是申請美國大學衡量的重要指標之一。其他指標還有在校加權成績(GPA)、SAT I成績、SAT II 成績、托福 (TOEFL) iBT、課外活動，以及班級排名等。

考試時間

每年五月。由於AP課程種類眾多，故AP考試定期於每年五月的第一、二個星期展開，為期兩週。

考試內容形式與計分方式

AP科目除了影視(Studio)與藝術(Art)之外，其他科目考試的內容均包括電腦計分的多重選擇題，和人工閱卷的問答題或作文。
考試分數為以上二者加權合併後的原始分數 (raw scores)再轉換為五分制的最後總分：

5分代表非常優異(Extremely well qualified)
4分代表優秀(Well qualified)
3分代表合格(Qualified)
2分代表勉強及格(Possible qualified)
1分則是不推薦有能力修習該門AP課程(No recommendation)

參加AP課程及考試對申請學校有什麼幫助？

由於AP課程難度較高，所以成績拿A的學生可在該科目中得到5.0分；高於一般課程的4.0分。所以在申請大學時可提高學生
通過AP考試合格後可折抵大學學分，減少大學修業年限。
因為AP課程難度高，相形之下可作為自我挑戰的具體表現。

特別是對於不是在美國教育體系內就讀的台灣學生而言，本來就無法利用選擇AP課程突顯自己的優異並爭取加分機會。若要讓大學入學申請委員會知道自己在某些科目上優秀的表現，最實際的方法與具體的證明，就是通過AP考試甚或獲得AP獎項。

申請美國大學人數年年激增，導致大學錄取率下降。引用 Niche 2020年針對 SAT 成績門檻難度排名，整理了「全美最難進大專院校」名單：Niche的資料是來自於美國教育部（U.S. Department of Education）；不同於 US News，他將美國綜合大學與文理學院一起比較，有助於大家一併了解各種學校類型的申請分數要求。

再者SAT考試人數逐年上升。在在顯示申請美國大學難度增加，若想要提高進入名校的機會，除了SAT等考試成積及在校表現之外，應充分把握AP可帶來的優勢及利基。

圖／作者整理自網路資源

AP成績優異獎項(AP SCHOLAR AWARDS)

AP另有提供獎項給在AP課程及考試中表現特別優秀的學生。雖然除了獎狀以外，並沒有提供獎學金，但這項殊榮紀錄將會隨AP考試的成績一並送至學生欲申請的大學作為申請文件之一。

AP表現優異的各項獎項如下:

AP Scholar

所有參加的AP考試中，有三科或三科以上成績超過3分的學生。

AP Scholar with Honor

所有參加的AP考試中，有四科或四科以上成績超過3分，且平均分數在3.25分以上的學生。

AP Scholar with Distinction

所有參加的AP考試中，有五科或五科以上成績超過3分，且平均分數在3. 5分以上的學生。

State AP Scholar

由華盛頓特區及美國境內各州各自選出兩位參加過AP考試並符合以下兩條件者(男女生各一名)：

A. 最多3分以上的AP考試成績者；

B. 且考試平均分數最高者(需高於3.5分以上)。 National AP Scholar---頒發給美國境內所有參加AP考試的學生中，有八科或八科以上成績超過4分，且平均分數在4分以上的學生。

AP 課程

AP Calculus AB

Explore the concepts, methods, and applications of differential and integral calculus. You’ll work to understand the theoretical basis and solve problems by applying your knowledge and skills.

課程內容(Course Content)

Unit 1: Limits and Continuity
Unit 2: Differentiation: Definition and Fundamental Properties
Unit 3: Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions
Unit 4: Contextual Applications of Differentiation
Unit 5: Analytical Applications of Differentiation
Unit 6: Integration and Accumulation of Change
Unit 7: Differential Equations
Unit 8: Applications of Integration

AP Calculus BC

Explore the concepts, methods, and applications of differential and integral calculus, including topics such as parametric, polar, and vector functions, and series. You’ll perform experiments and investigations and solve problems by applying your knowledge and skills.

課程內容(Course Content)

Unit 1: Limits and Continuity
Unit 2: Differentiation: Definition and Fundamental Properties
Unit 3: Differentiation: Composite, Implicit, and Inverse Functions
Unit 4: Contextual Applications of Differentiation
Unit 5: Analytical Applications of Differentiation
Unit 6: Integration and Accumulation of Change
Unit 7: Differential Equations
Unit 8: Applications of Integration
Unit 9: Parametric Equations, Polar Coordinates, and Vector-Valued Functions
Unit 10: Infinite Sequences and Series

AP Statistics

Learn about the major concepts and tools used for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. You’ll explore statistics through discussion and activities, and you’ll design surveys and experiments.

課程內容(Course Content)

Unit 1: Exploring One-Variable Data
Unit 2: Exploring Two-Variable Data
Unit 3: Collecting Data
Unit 4: Probability, Random Variables, and Probability Distributions
Unit 5: Sampling Distributions
Unit 6: Inference for Categorical Data: Proportions
Unit 7: Inference for Quantitative Data: Means
Unit 8: Inference for Categorical Data: Chi-Square
Unit 9: Inference for Quantitative Data: Slopes

AP Physics 1 : Algebra-Based

Learn about the foundational principles of physics as you explore Newtonian mechanics; work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. You’ll do hands-on laboratory work to investigate phenomena.

課程內容(Course Content)

Unit 1: Kinematics
Unit 2: Dynamics
Unit 3: Circular Motion and Gravitation
Unit 4: Energy
Unit 5: Momentum
Unit 6: Simple Harmonic Motion
Unit 7: Torque and Rotational Motion
Unit 8: Electric Charge and Electric Force
Unit 9: DC Circuits
Unit 10: Mechanical Waves and Sound

AP Physics 2 : Algebra-Based

Expand your understanding of physics as you explore topics such as fluids; thermodynamics; electric force, field, and potential; electric circuits; magnetism and electromagnetic induction; geometric and physical optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics. You’ll do hands-on and inquiry-based in-class activities and laboratory work to investigate phenomena.

課程內容(Course Content)

Unit 1: Fluids: Pressure and Forces
Unit 2: Thermodynamics
Unit 3: Electric Force, Field, and Potential
Unit 4: Electric Circuits
Unit 5: Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction
Unit 6: Geometric and Physical Optics
Unit 7: Quantum, Atomic, and Nuclear Physics

AP Physics C : Mechanics

Explore concepts such as kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy, and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; rotation; oscillations; and gravitation. You’ll do hands-on laboratory work and in-class activities to investigate phenomena and use calculus to solve problems.

課程內容(Course Content)

Unit 1: Kinematics
Unit 2: Newton’s Laws of Motion
Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power
Unit 4: Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum
Unit 5: Rotation
Unit 6: Oscillations
Unit 7: Gravitation

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism

Explore concepts such as electrostatics, conductors, capacitors and dielectrics, electric circuits, magnetic fields, and electromagnetism. You’ll do hands-on laboratory work and in-class activities to investigate phenomena and use calculus to solve problems.

課程內容(Course Content)

AP Chemistry

Learn about the fundamental concepts of chemistry including structure and states of matter, intermolecular forces, and reactions. You’ll do hands-on lab investigations and use chemical calculations to solve problems.

課程內容(Course Content)

Unit 1: Atomic Structure and Properties
Unit 2: Molecular and Ionic Compound Structure and Properties
Unit 3: Intermolecular Forces and Properties
Unit 4: Chemical Reactions
Unit 5: Kinetics
Unit 6: Thermodynamics
Unit 7: Equilibrium
Unit 8: Acids and Bases
Unit 9: Applications of Thermodynamics