With AP®, students can get a feel for the rigors of college level studies while they still have the support of a high school environment. When students take AP courses, they demonstrate to college admission officers that they have sought out an educational experience that will prepare them for success in college and beyond. Resourceful and dedicated AP teachers work with their students to develop and apply the skills, abilities and content knowledge they will need later in college. Each of AP’s 34 courses is modeled upon a comparable college course, and college and university faculty play a vital role in ensuring that AP courses align with college-level standards. Each AP course concludes with a college-level exam developed and scored by college and university faculty members as well as experienced AP teachers. AP Exams are an essential part of the AP experience, enabling students to apply the new critical thinking skills they have learned in a comprehensive exam. Most two- and four-year colleges and universities worldwide recognize AP in the admission process and accept successful exam scores for credit, advanced placement, or both. Performing well on an AP Exam means more than just the successful completion of a course. Research consistently shows that students who score a 3 or higher typically earn higher GPAs in college and have higher graduation rates.