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Home > CTYOnline > Frequently Asked Questions
Advanced Placement - Frequently Asked Questions


Q: Are CTYOnline AP courses approved by the College Board?

A: All CTYOnline AP courses have been reviewed and approved by the College Board to use the "AP" designation. To view the College Board’s AP Course Ledger listing all AP courses offered world wide that were reviewed by the Advanced Placement Program Audit and are authorized to include the “AP” designation, visit https://apcourseaudit.epiconline.org/ledger/index.php and type in "Center for Talented Youth - Johns Hopkins University" as the high school name.

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Q: Do CTYOnline AP science courses include labs?

A: CTYOnline AP science courses include 20-25 (depending on the course) "hybrid labs." Our hybrid labs include both hands-on experiments that students can safely perform at home with easy to obtain materials and virtual experiments for components of the labs that would not be feasible for students to do at home. Our virtual experiments are real experiments (not simulations), and each student's results differ according to the accuracy and precision of his or her data-gathering techniques. Students who enroll in our AP Chemistry course will receive a chemistry kit containing chemicals and instruments necessary for the hands-on experiments. This combined hands-on and virtual approach allows students to develop practical skills in manipulating instruments and materials and to perform multiple trials of lab procedures that would be dangerous, costly, and time-consuming in the physical lab. In CTYOnline AP science courses, students perform all of the labs on which they will be tested on the AP exam.

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Q: Who is eligible to take CTY AP courses?

A: CTYOnline AP courses are open to students currently in Grades 9-12 with Qualifying Test Scores. Each AP course offered by CTYOnline has different eligibility requirements. To enroll in a math or science AP course, students must have a qualifying math score on the SAT-I, ACT, or PSAT tests. Courses in writing, economics, government, and psychology require a qualifying reading/verbal score. In addition, most AP courses have prerequisites to ensure students have the necessary background to master the course material. See the course descriptions for details.

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Q: Which AP courses are offered by CTYOnline?

A: CTYOnline offers a variety of rigorous Advanced Placement (AP) courses for students in high school. These courses cover material at the college level and prepare students to take AP exams offered through the College Board testing program.

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Q: When are CTYOnline AP courses offered?

A: All of CTYOnline AP courses (except our calculus courses) are offered in the session-based format, with specific start and end dates. Students receive a course syllabus with a schedule specifying due dates for assignments, readings, and tests. See the AP Calendar for specific start and end dates.

AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC follow the program guidelines for CTYOnline distance math courses, which are individually paced. Students may enroll in AP Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC at any time during the year. They may also be advanced to the AP Calculus series if they previously enrolled in Honors Precalculus with Trigonometry and completed that course with time remaining. Students intending to take one of the AP Calculus exams should enroll by early January at the latest to allow enough time to complete the course before the AP tests in May.

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Q: Why do students enroll in AP courses and take AP exams?

A: Students who undertake AP level course work in high school demonstrate their readiness for college-level work and their willingness to tackle challenging academic material. Many universities and colleges award advanced standing or credit for college-level courses based on the scores a students achieves on AP tests taken in high school. Depending on the university's policies, the student may be able to begin studying the subject at a higher level or be awarded credit that will count toward a degree with that university. Policies about awards, advanced standing, and required AP scores vary by university. Some AP courses also prepare students to take SAT Subject Tests.

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Q: How much does it cost to take an AP course?

A: Please see the Tuition and Fees page.

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Q: How do I know what AP course I should take?

A: To prepare for the test listed below, take the CTYOnline course listed to its right:

SAT Mathematics Subject Test Level I

Honors Geometry

and Honors Algebra II

SAT Mathematics Subject Test Mathematics Level II

Honors Precalculus with Trigonometry

AP Biology Exam
or SAT Subject Test Biology E/M

AP Biology

AP Calculus AB Exam

AP Calculus AB

AP Calculus BC Exam

AP Calculus BC

AP Chemistry Exam
or SAT Chemistry Subject Test

AP Chemistry

AP English Language and Composition Exam

AP Language and Composition

AP Macroeconomics Exam

AP Macroeconomics

AP Microeconomics Exam

AP Microeconomics

AP Physics B Exam
or SAT Physics Subject Test

AP Physics B

AP Psychology Exam

AP Psychology

AP US Government and Politics Exam

AP US Government and Politics

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Q: If I have the qualifying ACT, SAT, or PSAT test scores and have fulfilled the course's prerequisites, how should I apply?

A: You can apply today.

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Q: Where can I take the AP exams?

A: Many students arrange to take the AP exams in their own high schools. Other students contact the College Board before March 1st to find the names and locations of other organizations offering the exams and make special arrangements before March 15th. Finally, CTY students can arrange to take their AP exams in CTY's Mt. Washington, Maryland location. No matter which location, all students must take the AP exams during the official AP testing dates set by the College Board.

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Q: Can I take a vacation during my AP course?

A: In general, students who are unable to participate in an AP course for an extended period of time are discouraged from applying for that session. Students who will be away for a vacation (one week or less) should let the instructor know as early in the session as possible. The instructor will try to work with them to arrange a schedule for make up assignments.

Students in the individually paced AP Calculus courses are the exception to this general rule. AP Calculus students can “postpone” their time while away through MyCTY. Postponement requests cannot be made retroactively, by phone, email, or through the student’s instructor. Postponed time will be added onto the end of the course enrollment time.

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Q: How can I get more information about the AP tests?

A: The College Board offers Advanced Placement Examinations each May. You must register and pay a fee for each test. Contact the College Board for information about registration and testing dates, fees, and application information.

Please begin this process early. Students considering applying to specific colleges or universities may want to review those institutions' AP credit policies. Information about the SAT Subject Tests is also available from collegeboard.com, where a List of Test Dates is posted.

Students considering applying to specific colleges or universities may want to review those institutions' AP Credit Policies.

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Q: What codes should CTYOnline students enter on their College Board AP application forms? 

A:  The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth Online Provider Code (Item G on the AP application) is 062. The School Code (Item X on the AP application) is 992101.

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