Many parents have heard about AP classes and exams but don’t know what the term refers to. “AP” stands for Advanced Placement. The Advanced Placement program offers an international high school curriculum of individual, university-level courses that allow high-school students to earn college credits in certain subjects, including:
- AP Biology
- AP Calculus AB/BC
- AP Chemistry
- AP English Language
- AP Physic1
- AP Physic2
- AP Physic C
- AP Computer Science Principles
- AP Psychology
- AP Human geography
- AP Comparative Government
- AP World History
- AP Economics
- AP 2-D Art and Design
- AP 3-D Art and Design
- AP Drawing
Many parents have heard of AP Placement courses but may not fully understand what the term means. “AP” stands for Advanced Placement, a program developed by the College Board in the USA that offers high school students the opportunity to take university-level courses while still in school. These internationally recognized courses allow students to earn potential college credit and demonstrate academic readiness for top universities worldwide.
At BASIS International School Bangkok, we offer a wide range of AP Placement courses across various disciplines, including:
- Sciences: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C
- Mathematics & Computer Science: AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Computer Science Principles
- Humanities & Social Sciences: AP English Language, AP Psychology, AP Human Geography, AP World History, AP Comparative Government, AP Economics
- Arts: AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, AP Drawing
We also proudly offer the AP Capstone Diploma Program, a two-year academic program made up of AP Seminar and AP Research. This program helps students build advanced research, writing, and presentation skills, key competencies for college success.
Choosing AP Placement courses allows students to challenge themselves with rigorous content, boost their academic profile, and prepare for future success in competitive fields such as STEM, medicine, business, and the arts.
AP, IB and A-Level
For accreditation clarity, note that AP, IB, and A-level courses are on par with Western college-level classes and the corresponding certifications are significantly higher than a high school diploma.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an international organization in Switzerland that provides a recognized, skills-based curriculum to students worldwide. It’s A-Level curriculum, developed by the UK government, is tailored and adapted for the international market.
They each have different curricula, training, testing formats, and methods. They are grouped together as they all target high-performing high school students and represent a significant advancement over a high school diploma.
University Pathway for International Students
The AP college preparatory programs at BASIS International School in Bangkok, Thailand, offer a direct path for international students to strengthen their chances of gaining admission to a wide variety of international colleges and universities around the world. AP classes are assessed externally through an exam administered by the College Board at the end of each academic year. Students are graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1-graded students not meeting the criteria to receive college credit, whereas 5-graded students are highly recommended.
Why Take AP Classes?
One of the most significant benefits of taking AP classes is the opportunity to earn college credit for introductory college-level courses, skip these courses, and take more advanced courses once a student enters college. The benefits also include challenges. Taking AP classes means you’ll learn how to study more effectively and prepare yourself for the rigorous AP exams.
The other major benefit of taking AP classes and doing well on the exams is the greater level of consideration you earn for admittance into some of the world’s top colleges. Over 650 well-respected colleges in over 60 countries give special placement consideration to students who have taken and performed well in AP classes.
This valuable link to the College Board will allow you to find the universities and colleges worldwide that offer credit or placement for AP scores.
Will AP Classes Help Earn Scholarships?
AP classes are designed to be challenging and test the students’ understanding of the subject matter, as well as their problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking capabilities. These assets attract interest from the top colleges and universities, which typically offer full and partial scholarships to students who take AP classes and do well in the exams.
Performing well in AP courses and exams improves the chances of Asian students being recognized by Western and worldwide universities. These top schools are actively searching for the world’s brightest minds, and AP classes provide a trusted high-level endorsement that allows a school to convey the performance of a student’s academic development.
Career Advantages
A highly successful and impressive academic record will also create many career opportunities. As the business world changes and adopts emerging technologies, problem-solving and critical thinking skills become as important as technological disciplines. Employers value the qualities shown by students who succeed in AP classes. AP courses provide a barometer that helps employers judge prospective employees’ development and marketable skills.
Top International School for AP Classes in Bangkok
BASIS International School Bangkok offers Advanced Placement classes that will help your child reach their full potential and gain admission into the world’s finest colleges and universities. Schedule a visit to our campus and a consultation to learn more about the benefits that AP classes can offer.