Counseling Corner: Addison Trail Guidance Department shares important information regarding Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level exams

The Addison Trail Guidance Department is committed to preparing students for success in their post-secondary education. As part of that focus, the department offers the following advice regarding Advanced Placement (AP)/college-level courses.

All Addison Trail students enrolled in AP courses are encouraged to register to take the corresponding AP assessments, which will be administered from May 7 to 18. The following is important information about AP test registration.

• Students must register for AP exams between Feb. 26 and March 9 at the Addison Trail Bookstore.
  
  
• The registration fee is $94 for each assessment. Students can pay with cash, credit card (Visa or MasterCard) or check made payable to Addison Trail High School. Students who miss the registration deadline will be charged a $55 late fee.
  
  
• Students who receive free or reduced lunch will have their test fee waived. However, those students must still register at the Bookstore (during the dates listed above).

One of the benefits of taking AP exams is they offer students the opportunity to earn college credit. Students must receive a certain score on the exam to earn college credit, and that score varies depending on the college/university. However, all public colleges in Illinois must give students credit if they score a 3 or higher on the exam. For more information about AP credit, go to www.collegeboard.org/apcreditpolicy.

Gaining college credit while in high school can save students money by not having to take those courses in college. Exposure to AP exams also familiarizes students with high-stakes, college-level tests. The more comfortable and confident students become with those types of assessments, the better they typically perform.

This year, about 850 Addison Trail students are enrolled in one or more of the 25 AP courses offered at the school. For more information about AP exams and test registration, contact Addison Trail Guidance Counselor Dana Marine at 630-628-3373 or DMarine@dupage88.net. General information about the AP program can be found at https://apstudent.collegeboard.org.