Advanced Placement (AP)

What is Advanced Placement (AP)?

The College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) program allows high school students to pursue university-level studies while earning Ontario credits.  AP courses are Ontario Curriculum courses enhanced with AP-aligned content, concepts, and skills that mirror what is taught in first-year university courses.

Students may also choose to write an AP exam in May to potentially earn advanced standing or university credit at recognized postsecondary institutions in Canada and over 60 other countries.

 

What are the benefits of AP programming for students?

  • Builds confidence and readiness for postsecondary studies through critical thinking, time management, and academic rigor.

  • Enhances learning by exploring content at greater depth.

  • Provides flexibility (students may choose to engage with just one course or many)

  • University recognition: A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam may lead to credit, advanced standing, or both, depending on post-secondary institution and program (students can search each university’s AP credit policy here.)

  • Exposure to degree-level expectations while still in high school

 

For the 2026-27 school year: 

Courses & Exams Offered

Courses:

  • Grade 11 AP Math

  • AP Calculus AB*

  • AP Chemistry

  • AP Biology

AP Exams Available at Iroquois Ridge:

  • AP Calculus AB

  • AP Calculus BC

  • AP Chemistry

  • AP Biology

  • AP Physics 1

  • AP Business with Personal Finance

  • AP Psychology

  • AP Microeconomics

  • AP Macroeconomics

  • AP Pre-Calculus

  • AP Cybersecurity

  • AP Statistics

  • AP French Language and Culture

Students wishing to write exams not offered at Iroquois Ridge (e.g., AP Human Geography, AP World History) may register at alternate locations such as Bronte College in Mississauga.

When Can a Student Take AP?

  • Self-study AP exams can be written at any year of high school, but students are encouraged to take the related high school course first. (it is beneficial to take grade 11 Chemistry before preparing for the AP Biology exam)

  • Spots are limited and students currently enrolled in an AP course will be given priority when registering for exams.

 

AP Exam Registration at Iroquois Ridge

All Iroquois Ridge students are eligible to write an Advanced Placement exam.  However, priority will be given to those students currently enrolled in AP courses. 

  •  2-Step Registration Process. The complete registration process can take several weeks.

  • The deadline to complete the full 2-step registration process is October 16th 2026, 11:59pm (In-course student registration priority ends October 2, 2026.  In-course students can still register after this time, but are no longer guaranteed a spot). 

  • All AP exams available at Iroquois Ridge this year will be written in school during the month of May.

  • Please refer to the link for regular testing dates and times. 2026  AP Exam Dates. Please save the date for any exams you plan on writing and ensure they do not conflict with your schedule. 

  • Cost:   $160 Cdn per regular exam. 

    • This fee is non-refundable due to the College Board fee structure and examination school administrative resources required.

STEP ONE: 

  • Look for the exam fee(s) in your School Cash Account. Pay the fee(s) before October 16th, 2026 for any exam(s) you plan on writing. Save a copy of the receipt, you need to upload it to the AP Registration Form linked in STEP TWO.

STEP TWO:

  • Complete the IRHS AP Registration Form and indicate the exams you plan to take *use your HDSB account to access the form. You will be asked to upload the receipt of payment from school cash online to this form.

  • After completing Step Two, you will receive a unique exam JOIN code in your student email from the Iroquois Ridge AP Coordinator. These emails are sent in batches every week until completed.  Check often.  Students in AP courses should have already ‘joined’ their digital AP classroom. 

  • Access your College Board Account or if you are a New User, Create an Account. Note: Do not use your school email to build this account. AND, use your legal name.  Account Sign Up - College Board

  • Navigate to MyAP and enter your JOIN code.  If you have registered for multiple AP exams you will receive multiple unique JOIN codes in separate school emails from the AP Coordinator. This process can take a few weeks and happens in different email batches.

  • Your name should now appear under Exam Only class (es) for your AP exam (s) in the MyAP account.

  • Registration is complete.

  • Students in AP courses should have already JOINed MyAP through their unique classroom code given to them by their AP teacher.  

  • After November 1st, 2026 students will see their exam indicator turn from ‘NO’ to ‘YES’ in their AP account.

 

Preparing for AP Examinations