<p>Hi. I'm in a junior college in Mumbai. Since state board is much easier than ISC, CBSE and IB, I'm planning to sit for either APs or A-levels. Which ones do you think will help my application more? I'm sitting for 3 APs in the current exam session and expect a 5,5,4. Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>If you are in state board, no need to take A Levels as it also a board - Cambridge International Examination board. It would be better for you to take APs.</p>
<p>Just to confirm what p25india has said, APs can substitute for A levels if you are applying at European based institutes. I would also mention that when it comes to placement, some US based universities may not accept A level exams due to difference in format. I had that issue with my IB exams, but that was only for one test and the rest were fine. Actually, in my case, I had taken both IB and AP courses (abt 10 of each), so I never felt any difference when transferring my scores over to college. That may be different for someone who has only taken one type. Which type to take? I would recommend AP from my standpoint because it can work for all institutes abroad to my knowledge. A levels work in non-US countries.</p>
<p>Will the fact that I’ve taken only 3 APs and am from state board put me at a disadvantage when it comes to other Indian students? Because by the time my AP scores for the next year come out, admissions would have been finalised.</p>
<p>If you were a US student and attended a school where there were more than 3 APs offered, you would not be considered a strong candidate. However, you are an indian international student. Thus, you will not be disadvantaged in context to your school.
I would also mention that though you may not be grounded on the fact of having 3 APs, your other fellow Indian applicants might have more than this amount at your specific college. Perhaps in that case, try to get all 5s on your APs to leave a strong impression that you are able to excel in your senior lvl APs as well. This will imply that you have prepared well for college.
How many A levels would you give in place of the APs? I mean to say that there could be more than 3 because APs are selective to the US teaching and not the Asian and European realm.</p>
<p>I am planning on giving 2 A-levels this November and 2 more next year May. If I don’t give A-levels, I’m planning on giving 5 more APs next year. Which of these two options will look better on my application?</p>
<p>Compared to the A-levels how able are you to master the AP format? I would ask that question before making the decision that quantity rules over quality. If both are comparably similar in comfort level for you, then by all means the AP will be advantageous since you might end up with greater placement credits than the A-levels. This would mean that you would not have to waste money on required intro courses or even general education requirement courses that don’t even relate to your major but are an integral component to graduating from US based colleges.</p>
<p>Both are of the same level. A-levels are more similar, in format, to what i’m studying in school. But I find APs much easier.</p>
<p>Then you have your answer. The APs will be much more useful when applying to the US.</p>