TVAH Advanced Placement Program

We are so excited that you are interested in Advanced Placement courses and testing at TVAH!

This newsletter will give you a comprehensive overview of the AP Program at our school, as well as AP Testing information and tips for meeting with success as an AP student.

Please make sure to read through this entire newsletter!

During the school year, if you have questions about the AP Program that are not answered herein, please feel free to reach out to the AP Coordinator (contact information below).

We're off to a great start this 2025–2026 school year! Go Bobcats!

This meeting will cover everything you need to know about AP testing, your testing options, and the sign-up process.

Here is a link to the AP Orientation Night Meeting.

Thank you to everyone who attended!

Here is a link to the AP Night Meeting Recording.

Click here to watch the recording!

Click here to view the slideshow!

Aug. 14 — Start of the new school year!

Sept. 10 — AP Course Drop Warning 1* for students who (i) have not logged into their College Board AP Classrooms, (ii) have not completed their course Welcome Assignments, or (iii) have a 20% or below in their AP courses.

Sept. 10 — TVAH AP Orientation Night, 5:00pm (links above) and testing location sign-up surveys are distributed.

Sept. 15 — AP Course Drop Warning 2* for students who (i) have not logged into their College Board AP Classrooms, (ii) have not completed their course Welcome Assignments, or (iii) have a 20% or below in their AP courses.

Sept. 17 — AP Course Drop Warning 3* sent out at 8:00am. AP Course Drop Date at 5:00pm.

Oct. 16 — Hallsville Testing Registration Deadline (see registration information below)

Nov. 10 — Denton, Houston, San Antonio Registration Deadline (see registration information below)

Nov. 14 — All Registration Closes (College Board Cutoff)

Feb. 2 — Exam Registration Opens for Spring-Only Courses (AP Macroeconomics & AP Psychology)

Mar. 6 — Spring Exam Registration Deadline (see registration information below)

Mar. 13 — All Registration Closes (College Board Cutoff)

Check back for updates and further important date notifications!

Here are some quick answers to some of the most common questions we see about AP courses and AP testing. See if your question is below!

• What is Advanced Placement? Why take these classes and/or tests?

Advanced Placement courses are college-level classes taught to prepare students for AP tests in May. The AP program is regulated by the College Board, who maintain all AP curriculums and are responsible for grading all AP exams. These courses have lots of advantages and are perfect for students who want to:

1. Build a strong high school transcript showing advanced-level work;
2. Test out of college classes and earn college credits early (specific qualifications depend on individual colleges — contact the college you are interested in to learn about which AP tests and scores they accept!); and/or
3. Challenge yourself in the subjects you love!

• How are AP courses different than regular courses at TVAH?

AP courses differ from regular courses in several ways. AP course curriculums are designed by the College Board and geared toward preparing students specifically for AP tests, whereas regular course curriculums usually come from the state of Texas.

AP courses also incorporate a much higher degree of reading and writing requirements in all coursework, which is aligned to the AP tests and the creation of a rigorous academic setting.

Finally, AP courses are usually most appropriate for advanced students with a high degree of organization, motivation, and self-sufficiency.

• What is the connection between AP courses and AP tests?

Much like state testing (i.e. STAAR/EOC), AP test grades are not tied to AP course grades. Students can earn a high grade in their AP courses from their TVAH teachers, completely apart from the scores they receive from College Board on their AP tests. AP courses are designed to prepare students to take AP exams, but students will not be automatically enrolled to take the AP exams — AP exams are in-person tests that must be signed up for by the student/LC using one of the options listed in this newsletter.

• How are AP tests different than required state testing (STAAR/EOC)?

AP tests differ from state testing in several important ways!

1. AP tests are optional — students can choose to take them at the end of the year or not, according to their own academic goals and sense of preparedness.
2. Students are not automatically signed up for AP tests. Because these tests are optional, there are registration steps that students must affirmatively take in order to sit these exams.
3. AP tests require a large amount of writing — in fact, most AP exam scores are based 50—60% on a writing section (including handwritten work for maths and sciences).
4. AP tests are given ONCE per year. There is ONE day and time for all students to test. Unlike STAAR/EOC tests, you cannot request a different day/time.
5. AP tests MUST be registered for well IN ADVANCE. The deadline for test registration this year is Nov. 14th. Please see below for further information on test registration!

• Are AP tests required?

No, AP tests are optional. Students are always encouraged to take the AP exams that correspond with their AP courses; however, it is perfectly acceptable for students to be interested in taking the course only and not the College Board test in May, particularly if they do not feel prepared enough to test or if their future colleges will not accept AP course credit.

• How do I sign up to take an AP test?

Test registration information will be circulated to students and families on AP Orientation Night (Sept. 10), posted in this newsletter, and posted in AP courses in Canvas. Scroll down to see what locations are available this year and which AP tests are available at each location.

AP test registration for a TVAH/TOPS location (not a local school) consists of two steps:

Step 1: Complete the test registration form for the location of your choice (linked below).

Step 2: Log into your College Board account and use the Exam-Only Code provided in the test registration form to join the list for your chosen testing location.

Alternatively, you can sign up to test at a local high school near you! Scroll down to learn about how to sit your AP exams locally.

Your TVAH AP Coordinator (or the AP Coordinator at your local school, if you choose to test locally) will send you confirmation of your registration.

• What does it cost to take an AP test?

If you choose to test at one of the four TVAH/TOPS locations (Denton, Hallsville, Houston, or San Antonio), then TVAH will cover your AP test registration fees. TVAH does not cover travel expenses to these locations.

If you choose to test locally at a nearby high school, you must cover your own registration fees. Your local high school's AP Coordinator will tell you how much that will be. Remember to weigh the cost of your local school's registration fee against your travel costs to the TVAH/TOPS sites.

If you register for an AP test with TVAH/TOPS and do not show up for the exam or cancel your exam after the cancellation window in spring, you will be charged a $40 No-Show Fee per exam.

• Can I take my AP test at home / on a different day / at a different testing site?

No / No / No. AP exams are only given in-person, only on the specific day and time stipulated by College Board (see the testing calendar below), and only at the testing site for which you have registered.

If you require a test site change due to a household move, please contact your AP Coordinator to see if your registration can be transferred (but this is not guaranteed!).

• Can I take the exam in a language other than English?

No, unfortunately not. AP exams are given only in English (except, of course, for the portions of foreign language content tests that are in the specified foreign language).

• What do I need to bring to my AP exams?

The two main things that you MUST have with you when you arrive to take an AP exam are:

1. A government-issued photo ID (like a driver's license, Texas state ID, or a passport).
2. Your AP ID number that is associated with your College Board account (you should try to memorize this number, but you may bring it on a sticky note, if needed).

These two items are non-negotiable and are required by the College Board in order to test.

You may also bring a non-smartwatch, pens, and pencils, if you wish.

• When will I get my test results?

AP tests are graded by College Board throughout the summer and made available in July following the May tests.

The following AP Courses are currently being offered at TVAH for the 2025–2026 school year:

• Biology
• Calculus AB
• Chemistry
• Computer Science A
• Computer Science Principles
• English Language & Composition
• English Literature & Composition
• Environmental Science
• Human Geography
• Macroeconomics (Fall Only)
• Psychology (Spring Only)
• Spanish Language & Culture
• Statistics
• U.S. Government & Politics (Fall Only)
• U.S. History

Check out these one-slides made by the TVAH teachers about each class below!

All AP students MUST sign up for a free College Board account to access AP Classroom.

This is required, both for their AP classwork and for registering for AP tests.

Students will access course assignments, free study materials, and practice tests, in their teachers' AP Classroom. This will also allow you to register for AP tests and search for AP testing locations.

Access College Board's Student Portal here: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/

Click Here for Account Help FAQs

Step 1: Create Your Student Account

- - - - - then - - - - -

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Step 2: Join Your AP Classroom

Once you have created your AP College Board Student Account, you will be able to join your teacher's AP College Board Classroom. Enrollment in your AP Classroom section is a requirement at TVAH.

Make sure you have your AP Classroom Join Code (this code is given to you by your AP teacher!) and follow along with the video below.

This is the national AP testing schedule. Each AP Exam is only given during one testing session. No matter where you plan to take your AP Exam, this schedule will be the same.

Reminder: All AP Exams must be taken in-person at the AP testing site where you have registered.

AP Exams may not be taken at home!

This AP testing location is offered through our sister-school, TOPS.

For the 25/26 school year, TOPS will be offering the following AP Exams in-person:

• AP Computer Science A
• AP English Language & Composition
• AP English Literature & Composition
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Human Geography
• AP Psychology
• AP U.S. Government & Politics
• AP U.S. History

Fees: AP exams taken with TOPS in-person at the Denton Site are covered. ($40 No-Show Fee)

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: March 6th at 5:00pm

Sign-Up Survey: Sign-up for Denton is now closed.

This AP testing location is offered through our sister-school, TOPS.

For the 25/26 school year, TOPS will be offering the following AP Exams in-person:

• AP Computer Science A
• AP Computer Science Principles
• AP English Language & Composition
• AP English Literature & Composition
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Human Geography
• AP U.S. Government & Politics
• AP U.S. History

Fees: AP exams taken with TOPS in-person at the Houston Site are covered. ($40 No-Show Fee)

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: November 10th at 5:00pm

Sign-Up Survey: Sign-up for Houston is now closed.

This AP testing location is offered through our school district partner, Hallsville ISD.

For the 25/26 school year, HISD will be offering the following AP Exams in-person:

• AP Biology
• AP Calculus AB
• AP Chemistry
• AP English Language & Composition
• AP English Literature & Composition
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Statistics
• AP U.S. Government & Politics
• AP U.S. History

Fees: AP exams taken with HISD in-person at the Hallsville Site are covered. ($40 No-Show Fee)

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 16th at 5:00pm

Sign-Up Survey: Sign-up for Hallsville is now closed.

This AP testing location is offered directly through TVAH.

For the 25/26 school year, TVAH will be offering the following AP Exams in-person:

• AP Biology
• AP Calculus AB
• AP Chemistry
• AP Computer Science A
• AP Computer Science Principles
• AP English Language & Composition
• AP English Literature & Composition
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Human Geography
• AP Macroeconomics
• AP Psychology
• AP Spanish Language & Culture
• AP Statistics
• AP U.S. Government & Politics
• AP U.S. History

Fees: AP exams taken with TVAH in-person at the San Antonio Site are covered. ($40 No-Show Fee)

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: March 6th at 5:00pm

Sign-Up Survey: Sign-up for San Antonio is now closed.

This is the best option if you are out-of-range for Denton, Hallsville, Houston, or San Antonio.

This option is arranged by you, the student/family, directly with the school of your choice. TVAH cannot sign you up to test with your local school district.

If you choose to test with your local district, make sure to begin reaching out asap.

College Board has a strict deadline for ordering AP exams: The final registration and ordering deadline is Nov.14th, 2025 for Fall Semester and year-long courses. (Please note that many schools place orders before this date, as ordering opens on Oct. 4th).

Fees: Your local high school will be able to confirm the cost of AP Testing at their facilities. This fee will be collected directly from you by your local school. TVAH does not collect AP testing fees.

See below for more information on this option!

Students who are enrolled in AP courses at TVAH may sit for AP exam(s) at local participating high schools and districts.

Although TVAH does not cover the cost of AP tests taken at local high schools, be sure to weigh the cost of the test against travel expenses to Denton, Houston, Hallsville, or San Antonio.

It is often more cost-effective to pay for your AP test through your local school and be able to sit for your test close to home.

• Step 1: Prepare Your List of Exams. Make a list of the AP tests that you wish to take so that the appropriate local AP Coordinator can be identified (not every school tests all subjects!).

• Step 2: Finding A School. Students will need to locate a local school that is administering AP Exams and is willing to test outside students. You can start with the high school closest to you. If they can’t administer the exam, see the College Board website OR call AP Services to get the names and telephone numbers of local AP Coordinators in your area. AP Services phone number: 888-225-5427 (toll-free) or 212-632-1780. You can also email: apstudents@info.collegeboard.org.

• Step 3: Calling Early is Best! Reach out to the AP Coordinator at your local high school or the one given to you by AP Services as soon as you can. Many schools set even earlier deadlines for ordering exams for their AP program. This year the Fall Semester and year-long course final ordering dealing is Nov.15th (most schools will place exam orders prior to this date!).

• Step 4: Inform your Course Teacher and Mrs. McPherson (hamcpherson@tvahallsville.org) where you will be testing after confirming with your local high school.

• Step 5: Request Test Accommodations (if applicable). Students with disabilities will need to submit the request for accommodations and supporting documents (if needed) no later than Nov. 15th. Information is available at https://www.collegeboard.org/students-with-disabilities . Please notify your local, school-based AP Coordinator so they can work with you on the best way to submit a request for accommodations.

When calling your local high school's AP Coordinator to ask about testing, make sure to tell them:

• You are trying to locate a school willing to administer exams to students from schools that do not offer AP testing.
• You will use a different school code so your exam scores will be reported separately from the school at which you test. TVAH School Code: 440423
• Which exams you are wanting to take (have your list handy!).
• Inquire about exam fees (so that you can weigh them against travel costs to the TVAH sites).
• Any approved College Board accommodations you will need and how ask to apply for them.

Once you locate a school willing to administer the exams, that local school's AP Coordinator is responsible for ordering your exam materials, telling you when and where to appear for the exams, and collecting your fees.

Accommodations for AP exams work differently than for standardized Texas state tests. AP exam accommodations must be applied for and approved through College Board prior to the deadline.

Click Here to Learn about AP Accommodations

All requests for accommodations for this year's AP exams and, when required, completed documentation must be submitted by January 16, 2026.

If you believe that you qualify for testing accommodations, please complete this form in order to notify TVAH's Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Coordinator.

College Board Consent Form

If you have further questions regarding AP testing accommodations, please reach out to our SSD Coordinator, Ms. Kristie Szafranski (kszafranski@tvahallsville.org)

Check out the subject-specific resources below, provided by your AP course teachers, which will help you further prepare for your AP exams!

AP Exam Study Guides and Resources

• Contact your counselor if you need general guidance on how AP exams will help you with your future academic plans.
• Ask your AP teacher for additional information on preparing for exams or particulars on a specific exam.
• Remember that the local, school-based AP Coordinator is your point of contact once you are registered to take the exam with a local school/district.

If there is anything else that we can help you with, please feel free to reach out!