If you’ve been researching US entry requirements for UK universities, you may have noticed many UK universities require AP exams for admission. How strict are they when it comes to these exams? What if your school doesn’t offer these exams? What should you do?
How AP Exams are Viewed in the UK
We have to say it: AP exams are still, by far, the best way to meet entry requirements for UK Universities. This is because universities view AP exams as an appropriate equivalent to a UK exam called the A-Level. Both AP exams and A-Levels are subject-based exams; thus, the UK sees AP exams as a fairly seamless substitute.
However, let’s break down all the ways you can still meet requirements to gain entry at UK universities without AP exams:
Meet with Your School’s College Counselor
If your school doesn’t offer AP’s and you have a dream school in mind, first ask your college counselor if he/she had students apply to that university. They may have had experience with students applying to that university or might know the UK representative for the university. If they haven’t had students apply to that university, your counselor may be able to speak to the university on your behalf to see if the university is open to reviewing your school’s curriculum.
Apply to UK Universities That Do Not Require AP Exams
First, let’s start with the easiest thing to do: apply to UK universities that only require the SAT or ACT. There is a long list of universities that only need to see the SAT or ACT, and even a handful of universities that have gone completely test optional! Generally, if your GPA is 3.0 and above, these test optional universities will consider your application without the need for tests (please note this also depends on the program). In addition to this, UK universities also look at IB exams, as part of an International Baccalaureate, if your high school happens to offer this.
Take Honours or Dual Enrollment/College Classes
Since Covid derailed the entire exam system, universities have become more understanding with ways to assess a student’s application. Depending on the university, honours classes and dual enrollment/college classes can be considered in place of AP exams. Especially when it comes to dual enrollment/college classes, the more credits you have, the better! If you have at least a year of college credits (about 30 credits), you may be able to forgo exams completely, depending on the university. If you have an associate’s degree, it’s more likely that you won’t need exams.
Self-Study for an AP Exam
If the university you are applying for won’t budge on their need for AP exams and you still want to apply, there is a way to sign up for an AP exam without your high school offering them. Please read this article on the Collegeboard website to find out how. Self-studying for an AP exam is obviously not the ideal way to take such a comprehensive exam, but still doable if you’re very ambitious.
Use Our Search Tool
You might be asking yourself: how do I find out which universities take tests vs. honours classes vs. college classes? Let us help you narrow it down! Go to our Undergraduate Universities page and use our search tool to see which universities are the best fit for you. Or you can use our UK University Match Quiz.
About the Author:
Ashley Jeanson is an international education expert with over 9 years of experience in the field. She’s worked for a mixture of study abroad providers, universities in the US and the UK, and third-party providers, mostly specializing in helping American students attend UK universities. In her spare time, she travels the globe and is eternally in search of the best cup of coffee.
