The following information provides an idea of how much time and work is needed to prepare for an Advanced Placement course. These entries are meant to be an approximation of time, outside of class work, and assignments. Some students will need less time and some will need more to do the same assignments depending on their skill level. It is assumed that an AP student, having done well in the preliminary courses, will have the level of skill, interest, commitment and achievement needed to be successful in a college-level course taught with a college textbook.

ENGLISH

Language & Composition

Reading Per Class:

2-3 major works per quarter

Study hours per class:

1-2 hours/day

Tests, Essays, Papers:

2 in-class essays per quarter; daily analytical writing responses; periodic quizzes and tests that focus on analytical reading and writing skills

Major Projects:

Summer reading; end-of-the-year term (research) paper

Literature & Composition

Reading per class:

3 major works per quarter

Study hours per class:

1-2 hours/day

Tests, Essays, Papers:

Analytical expository papers(1-2  pages); 2 timed essays per quarter; frequent formative writings on poetry and prose

Major Projects:

Summer reading; major critical paper (7-9 pages) on a work of literature of student choice

FINE ARTS

Drawing and 2-D Studio Art Portfolios

Reading Per Class:

Students need to work on projects at home in addition to class time

Study Hours Per Class:

2hrs per week or more depending on complexity and size of projects

Tests, Essays, Papers:

3-4 finished projects per quarter (1 completed work every 5 class periods) for a total of 12 concentration works. 12 additional Breadth works are compiled from a current portfolio. Students without a current portfolio will need to add these 12 art pieces to their course work.

Major Projects:

12 concentration and 12 breadth pieces for a total of 24 works of art are needed to complete the AP Exam. These works are presented in an online portfolio for examination by the College Board. Students maintain and develop their current digital portfolio.

Photography / Computer Graphics

Reading Per Class:

Ongoing assignments per quarter, regular sketchbook assignments

Study Hours Per Class:

1 hour/day

Tests, Essays, Papers:

6-8 finished pieces of work per quarter; 24 pieces total by end of year; Attendance in class each period is essential; unfinished work to be completed at home

Major Projects:

3 AP Portfolios (Concentration, Breadth and Quality); maintenance of a digital/online portfolio; End-of-Year AP Exhibition

Music Theory

Reading Per Class:

Average of 5-10 pages per class.

Study Hours Per Class:

30-60 min per class

Tests, Essays, Papers:

Approx. 2 tests and 2 quizzes per quarter; otherwise grade is primarily made up of regular homework completion

Major Projects:

Special project after AP exam

MATHEMATICS

Calculus AB

Reading Per Class:

5-10 pages

Study Hours Per Class:

1-1.5 hrs/day

Tests, Essays, Pape:

4-5 study hours for quizzes and tests; 3 major unit exams per quarter requiring 6-8 hours studying time.

Major Projects:

Major project 4th quarter

Calculus BC

Reading Per Class:

5-10 pages

Study Hours Per Class:

1-1/5 hrs/day

Tests, Essays, Papers:

6-8 hours for quizzes and tests; 3 major unit exams per quarter requiring 6-8 hours study time.

Major Projects:

Major project 4th quarter

Computer Science

Reading Per Class:

varies

Study Hours Per Class:

1.5 hrs/day

Tests, Essays, Papers:

Programming assignments require 2+ hrs per assignment outside of class

Major Projects:

Major project –4th quarter

Statistics

Reading Per Class:

varies

Study Hours Per Class:

1-1.5 hrs/day

Tests, Essays, Papers:

3 major unit exams per quarter requiring 6-8 hours studying time.

Major Projects:

Quarterly projects

SCIENCE

Biology

Reading Per Class:

10-20 pages

Study Hours Per Class:

1 hr/day

Tests, Essays, Papers:

2-3 tests per quarter; 2-3 labs per quarter

Major Projects:

Essay writing due every 3 weeks

Chemistry

Reading Per Class:

30 pages per week

Study Hours Per Class:

1 hr/day

Tests, Essays, Papers:

2 tests + 1 quiz per quarter; 3-4 labs per quarter

Physics C (Calculus based)

Reading Per Class:

As needed

Study Hours Per Class:

1 hr/day average

Tests, Essays, Papers:

2 tests per quarter; weekly quizzes & homework

Environmental Science

Reading Per Class:

30-50 pages per week

Study Hours Per Class:

1 hr/day

Tests, Essays, Papers:

2-3 tests per quarter ; 1-2 labs per quarter

Major Projects:

1 major project each quarter

SOCIAL STUDIES

World History

Reading Per Class:

50-80 pages per week

Study Hours Per Class:

1-2 hrs/day

Tests, Essays, Papers:

3-4 major tests per quarter; Weekly reading quizzes; 4-5 major writings per quarter; 2 timed writings per quarter

Major Projects:

Extensive Summer Reading; 1 Major Project/semester

U.S. History

Reading Per Class:

15-20 pages per class

Study Hours Per Class:

1-2 hrs/day

Tests, Essays, Papers:

4 essays per quarter; 3-5 tests per quarter; 3 major works per quarter; 3-4 timed writings per quarter

Major Projects:

Extensive summer reading; Quarter project: Art History & History; End of the year term (research) paper

U.S. Government

Reading Per Class:

30-50 pages per week

Study Hours Per Class:

1 hr/day

Tests, Essays, Papers:

2-4 tests, 5-6 quizzes, 1-2 essays per quarter; weekly Outlook write-ups

Major Projects:

Extensive summer reading; several major projects

Macro/Micro Economics

Reading Per Class:

20-40 pages per week

Study Hours Per Class:

1-2 hrs/day

Tests, Essays, Papers:

3-4 tests per quarter; weekly problem sets or study guides

Major Projects:

Major project 4th quarter

Psychology

Reading Per Class:

15-20 pages per class

Study Hours Per Class:

3-4 hrs/week

Tests, Essays, Papers:

Daily quizzes; 4-5 tests with timed essays per quarter

Major Projects:

3rd quarter project; 4th quarter project