Ask HSF! Archives

Dear HSF!,

"My homeschool student is preparing for college. I am wondering if he can take an AP course or AP test. Thanks for your help."

Thanks,
Melanie S.

Dear Melanie,
Good question! Homeschooled students may take AP tests through their local public school system, but must take AP classes online or prepare on their own. Homeschooled students in Maryland may not take AP classes within the public school system.

Also, in order to call a course Advanced Placement on your transcript, you must have your syllabus approved by the College Board. According to one veteran homeschooler who has been through this before, this is not a hard process.

According to the College Board website, you'll need to contact the AP coordinator at your local high school to take the test.

If your local school doesn't offer AP test administration, you'll need to locate another school that does. Call AP Services at 888-225-5427 on or by March 1 to ask for AP Coordinator contact information. Be prepared to know which AP exams your student plans to take. They'll be able to match up the appropriate coordinator with the AP exam your student wishes to take.

When contacting the appropriate coordinator, you should identify yourself as a homeschool family in need of AP testing. The AP Coordinator should order exam materials, tell you when and where the exam/s take place, and collect any fees (note: the fees may include additional administration costs). On the day of the exam, be sure to ask for the state homeschool code (use instead of the school code where the exam takes place).

Additional information is available online at College Board.

Sincerely,
HSF! Staff

[Information updated 10/9/09.]