Thông tin chương trình AP (Advanced Placement) tại Việt Nam 2026

AP program is a popular form of study in high schools in the US to help students improve their abilities in the college application process. So what are the details about What is Advanced Placement?? How will the AP program help you in your future studies?

1. Overview of Advanced Placement

1.2. Where did the AP (Advanced Placement) program originate?

AP Program was founded in the 1950s, during the Cold War, when American policymakers wanted to create a program to help American high school students best prepare for college and graduate school.

To implement that plan, the Ford Foundation established the Fund for the Advancement of Education (FAE). After a survey of leading universities in the United States, the FAE developed a program to introduce high school students to college. In 1954, 27 universities across the United States jointly administered the first AP exam. Then in 1955, the nonprofit educational organization College Board received management rights. AP program.

Source: PrepScholar

1.3. What is the purpose of studying Advanced Placement?

AP Program was created with the aim of helping high school students:

• Get early access to university education – best prepared for your future university and graduate studies.
• Have a clearer view of your future major and program – build your own direction.

In addition, at universities:

• When SAT II was canceled, AP was an advantage to help candidates stand out in their scholarship applications.
• AP credits can be used to place students in classes.
• Students with AP credits can skip college-equivalent classes – saving time and allowing them to dive deeper into their major sooner.

2. What are the benefits of the AP program?

The benefits that Advanced Placement Program bring:

2.1 The AP program helps save money on tuition and increases your chances of receiving scholarships.

Achieving high scores on the AP exam is also an advantage that helps students save money on tuition because you will be exempted from some college credits. In addition, getting high scores on the AP exam will affirm your academic ability and increase your chances of receiving scholarships at high-ranking universities in the US.

2.2 Help students graduate in just 3 years

Having a high AP score will exempt some college credits, allowing you to graduate sooner, possibly in as little as three years of college — faster than the average graduation time. This is a huge savings, not only in time but also in tuition and living expenses.

2.3 Help impress the university admissions board

College admissions officers are looking for students who will successfully complete their undergraduate degree. They evaluate you based on your high school performance. They want to see that your dedication to higher education and your ability to push yourself with AP classes can help you stand out from other students.

2.4 The AP program helps develop college-level learning skills

Because AP program AP courses are more challenging than regular classes, so they help you develop college-level study skills. The classes are a strong commitment to helping you improve your ability to learn and solve problems. These are all essential for college. Many college students are surprised by the breadth and depth of their studies. Taking AP classes in high school will help prepare you for a challenging college program.

4. Learn about the AP exam

4.1. When is the AP exam?

The AP exam is held every May, once a year. The exam lasts for 2 weeks, has the following result 2 months.

4.2 Where is the AP exam location?

AP exam locations are at international high schools or centers authorized by the College Board. In addition, candidates must travel to neighboring countries to take the exam to complete the program in time, in case the organizing units do not have enough 38 exam subjects.

4.3 How much does the AP exam cost?

Countries outside the US and Canada AP exam fee To be :

• AP Seminar and AP Research: $142
• Remaining subjects: $125

4.4 Steps to register for AP exams in Vietnam

To register AP exam in Vietnam You do the following steps:

Step 1: Contact the schools that organize the AP exam

• Contact information:
• Phone: 888-225-5427 or +1-212-632-1780
• Mail: apstudents@info.collegeboard.org

(In Vietnam, AP exam organizers are usually international schools, and usually the official list of schools organizing the exam is not available until March of each year.) AP exam in Vietnam)

Step 2: Request an AP exam registration form

Contact the person in charge and ask for an application form. This application form is usually created by each school and there is no general form provided by the College Board.

Step 3: Complete the procedure and pay the AP exam fee

After completing these procedures, the person in charge will send you back the exam date information, exam notice, as well as notification. AP exam fee

Note: In case there is no international school in Vietnam that organizes the subject you want to take, you need to contact international schools in Thailand and the exam fee will be equivalent to Vietnam.

5. Things to know about AP exams

5.1. What is the content of the AP exam?

The first subjects of AP program include:

• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Biology
• General English
• Literature
• French
• German
• Spanish
• Latin

To date, AP program has expanded to 38 subjects in 7 main areas, including:

• AP Capstone (AP Project)
• Arts
• English
• History and Social Science
• Maths and Computer Science
• Sciences
• World languages and Cultures

5.2. What is the AP exam format?

The exam is in two forms: multiple choice and essay on paper. Some subjects such as Japanese Language, Chinese Language or Environmental Science are tested on computers. Some other subjects such as Art will require products and presentations (public presentation) to consider the final score.

5.3. How long is the AP exam?

AP exam duration is 2-3 hours/subject.

Example of time structure of AP Exam English Language and Writing:

• Part I: Multiple choice | 52 – 55 questions | 1 hour | 45% total score

Read the non-fiction texts and choose the correct answers.

• Part II: Essay | 2 hours 15 minutes (including 15 minutes to read the questions) | 3 essay questions | 55% total score

5.4. AP exam grading scale

Scoring criteria of the AP Exam Based on a 5-point scale, with 3 being a passing score for most schools:

• 5 = absolutely satisfactory
• 4 = very satisfactory
• 3 = just enough
• 2 = almost satisfactory
• 1 = not qualified

6. Where should I study Advanced Placement in Vietnam?

In addition to questions about What is Advanced Placement? Where to study the AP program is also a matter of concern for many parents. If you and your parents are looking for a reputable center or school that offers the AP program, AP then don't miss ETEST English Study Abroad Center. Learn Advanced Placement At ETEST English Study Abroad you will be guaranteed.

• Help students have enough basic knowledge and academic skills to prepare for the annual AP exam and university study programs in the US, Singapore...
• Each student is designed a roadmap. Advanced Placement tailored to the needs of that student, to equip and supplement knowledge for students studying AP or planning to enter Top 20 US Universities and Ivy League.
• The course content closely follows high school and college knowledge in the US as well as AP Exam actual College Board standards.
• Flexible choice of group classes (maximum 6 students) or 1 on 1.
• 100%'s team of professional instructors are former students of specialized schools and graduates from universities in the US, UK, Australia, and Singapore with experience teaching AP.

The differences that only exist at ETEST Study Abroad English Center are:

• ETEST is proud to lead in the number of students admitted in the US, Australia, Canada, etc.
• Comprehensive scholarship hunting training includes: IELTS, SAT, AP, ACT, AMP - Scholarship essay writing, IB, ISEE,..
• Teachers are PhDs and Masters with many years of teaching international programs.

7. Frequently asked questions about Advanced Placement

7.1 Which AP program is the easiest?

• AP Psychology: Known as one of the easiest AP classes, it's no surprise that AP Psychology is also one of the most popular—292,501 students took the exam in 2021.
• AP Comparative Government and Politics
• AP Environmental Science.

7.2 Which AP program is the hardest?

• AP Physics 1
• AP US History
• AP United States Government and Politics

7.3 IB or AP program?

Colleges value AP and IB classes equally, so choose the program that best fits your goals. However, taking AP or IB requires a lot of effort, especially for international students who do not speak English as their first language.

7.4 What happens if you fail the AP exam?

You will not receive college credit for that course if you fail the AP exam. The good news is that failing the exam will not affect your GPA. You can also retake the AP exam the following year.

With this article, ETEST Study Abroad English hopes to help parents and you better understand "What is Advanced Placement??” and information about this program. If you have any questions about the AP program, please contact us immediately, ETEST Study Abroad English is ready to answer, advise and support you.