AP Program
About AP Program | AP Exam Registration Information | AP Exam Pricing | AP Courses at PB |AP Waiver Request/ AP Testing Process/
If you're planning to go to college and your high school offers AP classes, you should take advantage of the opportunity. The successful completion of Advanced Placement classes has benefits during both the college application process and undergraduate life. Six of the biggest perks to taking AP classes.
AP Exam Registration Information
Find out important information regarding the AP Exams:
Online Exam registration will begin on Fri., September 2, 2022 at 7:30 AM and end on Fri., November 11, 2022 at 11:59 PM.
AP Fee Waiver Form
AP Testing process
An overview of the MCPS AP exam schedule can be found at the College Board AP Exam Schedule Site.
1. The College Board Digital Testing Application will be automatically installed on MCPS-issued Chromebooks. For non-MCPS personal devices, directions for installation will be shared with students by the school AP coordinator.
2. Your local high school will contact you to select testing dates, confirm the format, and provide an exam checklist. If you have a special circumstance or accommodation that requires an in-person exam, please inform your teacher or AP coordinator. Final schedules will be shared with each student in their AP Classroom.
3. To prepare for success, AP students can watch AP Daily learning videos, on-demand in the College Board’s AP Classroom, for every topic and skill in each AP course.
4. Additional AP exam support and preparation is also offered through Saturday School. Registration information for Saturday sessions can be found here.
5. If you have additional questions, please contact your AP teacher or school AP coordinator.
AP Courses at Paint Branch
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AP Computer Science A
The Advanced Placement Program offers a course and exam in introductory computer science. The course emphasizes object-oriented programming methodology with a concentration on problem solving and algorithm development, and is meant to be the equivalent of a first-semester college-level course in computer science. It also includes the study of data structures, design, and abstraction...read more.
Prerequisite: Introduction to programming or Strong Math Skills
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AP Biology, A/B (Double period) (BC)
Biology AP is for highly motivated students with interest in biology. The course emphasizes laboratory investigations and builds on the concepts covered in Biology. Students prepare to take the Advanced Placement Biology examination at the end of the course. Topics in Biology AP include chemistry of life, cytology, cellular energetics, genetics, diversity of life, evolution, ecology, and behavior. Dissections may occur in this course. See Alternatives to Dissection at the end of the Science section.
Prerequisite: Biology A/B
Corequisite: Chemistry A/B
Double period -
AP Calculus AB, A/B
Calculus AB topics are those traditionally offered in the first year of calculus in college, and are designed for students who wish to obtain a semester of advanced placement in college. The topics studied include limits, continuity, derivatives and integrals of algebraic and transcendental functions and their applications, and elementary differential equations.
Prerequisite: Precalculus
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AP Calculus BC, A/B
Calculus BC includes all of the topics in Calculus AB, as well as convergence tests for series, Taylor or Maclaurin series, vector, polar, and parametric functions. Students in BC Calculus may receive two semesters of Advanced Placement in mathematics.
Prerequisite: Precalculus, Honors
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AP Chemistry, A/B (Double period) (PC)
AP Chemistry is for highly motivated students with interest in the physical sciences. Chemistry AP builds on concepts covered in chemistry with greater detail in content and laboratory investigations. Students are prepared to take the Advanced Placement Chemistry examination at the end of the course. Topics include atomic theory, chemical bonding, phases of matter, solutions, types of reactions, equilibrium, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamics.
Prerequisite: Chemistry A/B and Algebra 2 A/2
Double period -
AP English Language and Composition, A/B
This course is designed for motivated students with a command of standard English and a lively interest in the power and versatility of language. Students read complex prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts and write for a range of purposes to express ideas with clarity and precision. Students are strongly encouraged to take the AP examination at the end of the course.
Prerequisite: English 10
Grade Level: 11 -
AP English Literature and Composition, A/B
This course is designed for motivated students with a command of standard English and an interest in reading challenging literature, both classical and contemporary and representative of dominant literary genres and themes. Students apply methods of literary analysis and write for a variety of purposes to increase their precision in expression. Students are strongly encouraged to take the AP examination at the end of the course.
Prerequisite: English 11
Grade Level: 12 -
AP Environmental Science, A/B (SC)
AP Environmental Science is for highly motivated students with interest in interdisciplinary science. It builds on concepts covered in Environmental Science, with greater detail in content and laboratory investigations. Students are prepared to take the Advanced Placement Environmental Science examination. Topics include the interrelationships of the natural world and environmental problems, issues, and solutions.
Prerequisite: Biology A/B
Corequisite: Chemistry A/B recommended -
AP European History, A/B
This college-level course is a survey in European history from the 15th century to the present. A college-level text is used, and students engage in college-level writing and discussion. This course prepares students for the AP European History examination.
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AP French Language and Culture, A/B
This course is for world languages students interested in college-level work. The course links language and culture while developing students' proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Students read, discuss, and react to a variety of texts orally and in writing in preparation for the Advanced Placement Examination.
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AP NSL United States and Politics, A/B
This course is a year-long survey of American government. The course combines the content and skill development of Advanced Placement U.S. Government and Politics and National, State, and Local Government. Advanced Placement United States Government and Politics with NSL may be used to satisfy the graduation requirement for National, State and Local Government A and B.
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AP Physics, A/B (PC)
AP Physics is for highly motivated students with interest in the physical sciences and builds on concepts covered in Physics with greater detail in content and laboratory investigations. Students are prepared to take the Advanced Placement Physics examination at the end of the course. The central topics for the year are Newtonian mechanics and electricity and magnetism.
Prerequisite: Physics A/B and Precalculus
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AP Psychology, A/B
This college-level course prepares students for the AP exam. Students scientifically study behavior and investigate the psychological domains—methods of research, biopsychology, cognitive processes, lifespan development, and sociocultural dimensions of behavior, thinking and language, states of consciousness, individual differences, personality and assessment, and psychological disorders and their treatment.
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AP Spanish Language, A/B
This course is for world languages students interested in college-level work. Students concentrate on developing proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in preparation for the Advanced Placement language examination. This course emphasizes mastery of linguistic competencies at a very high level of proficiency.
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AP Statistics, A/B
Advanced Placement Statistics students engage in the exploratory analysis of data, using graphical and numerical techniques. Data sets are collected using statistical design methods. Students produce appropriate models using probability, simulation, and statistical inference. Models are used to draw conclusions from data and analyzed by inferential methods to determine whether the data support or discredit the model. This course is equivalent to a non-calculus-based introductory college statistics course.
Prerequisite: Algebra 2
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AP Studio Art Drawing
This individualized program focuses on art projects that demonstrate the competencies expected of Advanced Placement art applicants, as identified by the College Board. Students assemble portfolios to meet the submission requirements for the AP exam. This course may be repeated once for credit. Writing and thinking skills are reinforced through journaling.
Prerequisite: Foundations of Art or Drawing and Design, and Studio Art 1 A/B
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AP US History
AP US History provides college level coursework in United States History. Students are prepared for the Advanced Placement test in May which may provide them with college credit at some universities by achieving a certain grade. Throughout the course, students will develop skills in discussion, interpreting documents, research, analysis, and critical essay writing. Click here for AP US History Syllabus