AP Credit Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the ap credit calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the AP Credit Calculator

Formulas Used

College Credits Earned

credits_earned = total_credits

Tuition Saved

tuition_saved = total_credits * cost_per_credit - exams_passed * ap_exam_cost

Cost per AP Credit

cost_per_ap_credit = ap_exam_cost / credits_per_exam

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
exams_passedAP Exams Passed (score 3+)5
credits_per_examAverage Credits per Exam3
cost_per_creditCollege Cost per Credit ($)500
ap_exam_costAP Exam Fee ($)98
total_creditsDerived value= exams_passed * credits_per_examcalculated

How It Works

How AP Credits Save Money

Passing AP exams (score 3-5) earns college credits at a fraction of tuition cost.

Formula

Credits Earned = Exams Passed x Credits per Exam

Net Savings = (Credits x Cost per Credit) - (Exams x Exam Fee)

AP Scoring

  • 5 = Extremely qualified
  • 4 = Well qualified
  • 3 = Qualified (minimum for most colleges)
  • Most selective colleges require 4 or 5

    • Worked Example

    5 AP exams passed at 3 credits each, college charges $500/credit.

    exams_passed = 5credits_per_exam = 3cost_per_credit = 500ap_exam_cost = 98
    1. 01Credits earned = 5 x 3 = 15
    2. 02Tuition equivalent = 15 x $500 = $7,500
    3. 03Exam costs = 5 x $98 = $490
    4. 04Net savings = $7,500 - $490 = $7,010

    Ready to run the numbers?

    Open AP Credit Calculator