Senior School
Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement (AP) is a program created by the American College Board (the same organization that creates the SATs) which offers university-level courses to high school students. Each course culminates in an examination that is externally evaluated by the College Board. Many Canadian and American universities grant advanced placement and course credit to students who achieve excellent standings on their exams.
At CDS, our approach to AP is focused less on benefits of exceleration (receiving university credits) than on the deep enrichment opportunity AP courses provide for some of our learners. The successful completion of an AP course can also be a great confidence booster, reinforcing a student’s belief that they can succeed at the university level. CDS offers AP courses that offer students an academic edge and comfort level, and prepare them for post-secondary success.
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Advanced Placement (AP) is a program created by the American College Board (the same organization that creates the SATs) which offers university-level courses to high school students. Each course culminates in an examination that is externally evaluated by the College Board. Many Canadian and American universities grant advanced placement and course credit to students who achieve excellent standings on their exams.
At CDS, our approach to AP is focused less on benefits of exceleration (receiving university credits) than on the deep enrichment opportunity AP courses provide for some of our learners. The successful completion of an AP course can also be a great confidence booster, reinforcing a student’s belief that they can succeed at the university level. CDS offers AP courses that offer students an academic edge and comfort level, and prepare them for post-secondary success.
AP courses offered at CDS include:
AP courses offered at CDS include:
- AP Seminar (Grade 11)
- Biology (Grade 12)
- Calculus AB (Grade 12)
- Computer Science A (Grade 11/12)
- English Literature and Composition (Grade 12)
- Macroeconomics (Grade 12)
- Microeconomics (Grade 11)
- 2D Art and Design (Grade 11/12)
- Comparative Government and Politics (not a timetabled course but available to any Senior School students through regular, scheduled meetings with two designated, College Board-audited teachers).
Students are also able to pursue AP courses/exam study independently and then sign up to write the exams at CDS. In 2024, 14 different independent exams were sat at CDS, ranging from Environmental Science to French Language and Culture to Psychology.
AP Exam Assessment
AP Exams are marked on a 5-point scale. A student’s AP score shows how well they did on the AP Exam and can also be used as an indicator of potential achievement in a university-level AP course. Scores are a weighted combination of test scores on the multiple-choice section and on the free-response section.
5 = extremely well qualified
4 = well qualified
3 = qualified
2 = possibly qualified
1 = no recommendation
"Qualified" means a student has proven him/herself capable of doing the work of an introductory-level course in a particular university subject. Many colleges and universities grant credit and placement for scores of 3, 4 or 5; however, CDS recommends students interested in pursuing an AP Course or Exam do so purely for the academic challenge and to achieve a greater comfort level should they decide to take the course at university.
What is an Advanced Placement (AP) exam?
AP exams are standardized tests that evaluate your mastery of the course material in a particular subject. The majority of AP courses culminate in an exam, but some are evaluated by a portfolio or final project. Although recommended, you do not have to take the AP course in order to sit an AP exam; however, many students are highly successful when they do pursue AP exams independently.
AP exams are standardized tests that evaluate your mastery of the course material in a particular subject. The majority of AP courses culminate in an exam, but some are evaluated by a portfolio or final project. Although recommended, you do not have to take the AP course in order to sit an AP exam; however, many students are highly successful when they do pursue AP exams independently.
Questions
What is CDS’ position on AP exams?
Whilst the Ontario Curriculum can provide a comprehensive education that furnishes our students with the skills they need to succeed in postsecondary education, AP courses and exams offer students the opportunity to pursue learning experiences they need for their more specific postsecondary needs and goals. Students who pursue a variety of AP exams are often focusing on the experiences they are gaining rather than the final achievement level as they understand that they are setting themselves up for success in faster paced, more independent postsecondary classes.
Whilst the Ontario Curriculum can provide a comprehensive education that furnishes our students with the skills they need to succeed in postsecondary education, AP courses and exams offer students the opportunity to pursue learning experiences they need for their more specific postsecondary needs and goals. Students who pursue a variety of AP exams are often focusing on the experiences they are gaining rather than the final achievement level as they understand that they are setting themselves up for success in faster paced, more independent postsecondary classes.
What are the advantages of taking APs over IB programs?
AP courses offer much more flexibility in terms of curricular design and areas of study, allowing teachers to customise their courses to the student’s interests.
AP courses offer much more flexibility in terms of curricular design and areas of study, allowing teachers to customise their courses to the student’s interests.
What are the benefits to taking AP exams?
Many universities/colleges grant credit for qualifying AP exam scores (typically a Level 4 or above but you should check the specific requirements with the schools to which you are applying). This gives you more flexibility and time to explore other interests in your first year of university. In some jurisdictions, the fact that you choose to pursue an AP exam also stands out on your university applications as you are showing that you are willing to take on higher level material. No matter what score you earn, preparing for an AP exam will hone your test-taking skills and help to prepare you for the demands of university, and this study can be a great form of enrichment for those looking for more challenging material.
Many universities/colleges grant credit for qualifying AP exam scores (typically a Level 4 or above but you should check the specific requirements with the schools to which you are applying). This gives you more flexibility and time to explore other interests in your first year of university. In some jurisdictions, the fact that you choose to pursue an AP exam also stands out on your university applications as you are showing that you are willing to take on higher level material. No matter what score you earn, preparing for an AP exam will hone your test-taking skills and help to prepare you for the demands of university, and this study can be a great form of enrichment for those looking for more challenging material.
What are the next steps?
How do I sign up for AP exams?
The sign-up process is very straightforward:
-Students bring in a signed permission form for the exam(s) they wish to take.
-CDS pays for students to take the Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Seminar exams as these are part of core CDS courses.
-CDS does not pay for independent exams or exams offered in courses that students have chosen to select.
-Students create an account with the College Board. CDS supplies the “join code” for the exam. The sign-up process is completed by early November. Students can withdraw without penalty until early March.
The sign-up process is very straightforward:
-Students bring in a signed permission form for the exam(s) they wish to take.
-CDS pays for students to take the Microeconomics, Macroeconomics and Seminar exams as these are part of core CDS courses.
-CDS does not pay for independent exams or exams offered in courses that students have chosen to select.
-Students create an account with the College Board. CDS supplies the “join code” for the exam. The sign-up process is completed by early November. Students can withdraw without penalty until early March.
If you have an IEP and usually write tests with accommodations (typing, extra time etc.), the school can apply on your behalf to the College Board to request use of these same accommodations. It is important to note that this is a separate application process and can take up to 12 weeks to process; the deadline is early January.
When do I sit for my AP exams?
The regular testing period is early-mid May. There is a second “late testing” period in the last two weeks of May in which students can write in extenuating circumstances. Exams start at either 8am or 12pm. Most exams typically run for 2-3 hours, but this varies. All exams are sat in a classroom or the Test Room.
The regular testing period is early-mid May. There is a second “late testing” period in the last two weeks of May in which students can write in extenuating circumstances. Exams start at either 8am or 12pm. Most exams typically run for 2-3 hours, but this varies. All exams are sat in a classroom or the Test Room.
When do I get my results? What if I don’t do as well as I hoped?
If you write in the regular testing period, you will receive your results in your College Board account in mid-July. If you write in the late testing period, you will not receive your results until late August. It is up to you whether you would like the College Board to automatically share your scores with the schools you have applied to, or if you wish to share this information yourself.
If you write in the regular testing period, you will receive your results in your College Board account in mid-July. If you write in the late testing period, you will not receive your results until late August. It is up to you whether you would like the College Board to automatically share your scores with the schools you have applied to, or if you wish to share this information yourself.
You can sit the same AP exam the following year. It is important to note that both scores are reported unless you specifically request that one is cancelled.
Have more Questions?
Where can I get more information?
Depending on the nature of your question, please contact one of the following:
Depending on the nature of your question, please contact one of the following:
Academic Questions: Mr. Dave Harvey (Director of Academics, MS/SS) dave.harvey@cds.on.ca or Ms. Sarah Williams (Assistant Director of Academics & AP Coordinator) sarah.williams@cds.on.ca
Postsecondary/Application Questions:
Mr. David Huckvale (Director of Postsecondary Counseling and Admissions) at david.huckvale@cds.on.ca or Ms. Darby Moreau (Postsecondary Counseling and Admissions Coordinator) at darby.moreau@cds.on.ca
Mr. David Huckvale (Director of Postsecondary Counseling and Admissions) at david.huckvale@cds.on.ca or Ms. Darby Moreau (Postsecondary Counseling and Admissions Coordinator) at darby.moreau@cds.on.ca
Additional AP Exam Opportunities
There are more than 30 AP courses offered each year and anyone can write an AP exam without having taken the specific course. CDS will help arrange for them to take the exams here and direct them to the necessary study materials.
For more information on AP, visit https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/.
There are more than 30 AP courses offered each year and anyone can write an AP exam without having taken the specific course. CDS will help arrange for them to take the exams here and direct them to the necessary study materials.
For more information on AP, visit https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/.
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
