Certain standardized examinations completed during secondary education can provide students with advanced placement or direct university credit upon enrollment in higher education institutions. These assessments, often nationally recognized, allow successful examinees to bypass introductory-level coursework, thereby accelerating their academic progress. Examples include Advanced Placement (AP) exams, International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests.
The strategic utilization of these examinations offers considerable advantages. Students can potentially reduce the overall cost of their college education by decreasing the number of credit hours required for graduation. Furthermore, by demonstrating proficiency in specific subjects, students gain the opportunity to delve into more advanced and specialized topics earlier in their academic careers. The concept has evolved over time, initially serving as a mechanism for gifted students to advance and now more broadly used to enhance college accessibility and affordability.
