Categories: EDUCATIONExam Fever

One Step Ahead

A set of tests, popular across the globe, have come to India. The Advanced Placement Tests are going to be administered in India by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) in May 2012. Here’s the skinny on the AP tests:

WHAT?
The AP tests are essentially taken by secondary school students to test their abilities with respect to college level coursework. In any given discipline, students undergo college-level training for the AP test, the exam being the final point of the training. The courses are designed to be on the rigorous side and are developed by committees of college and high school faculty members. The exams are not ‘exams’ in the traditional sense, but rather test performance. The students set the grading parameters themselves and scale for the grades of each exam. Internationally, there are 34 subjects you can choose from, including language and culture, environmental science and psychology. Not all of these, however, will be available in India.

WHERE?
The USIEF has provided various centres this year, and is likely to add more names to the list.

WHY?
There are several benefits of taking these exams. Of course, hard work has to be put in too!
• The AP tests enable students to get an edge prior to college.
• These students stand a good chance of earning college credits at mosy four-year colleges in the US, and participating colleges in over 60 countries internationally.
• Students also get a chance to learn from some of the most accomplished, devoted and motivating teachers across the globe.
• AP courses help to inculcate or polish skills that are required to do well in college.
• There will be a chance to hone writing skills, improve problem-solving abilities and instill discipline required for college semesters.

HOW?
Most AP tests are a combination of multiple-choice questions and a response section which could either come in an essay or problem-solving form. In India, there is no formal training available for the tests, so it is up to the students to acquire the materials and study on their own. Students who are interested in taking these exams can log on to the USIEF website: www.usief.org.in for further information and registration details.

The AP tests are conducted in the following subjects: