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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Just spitballing here but it might be easier to self study for the math and science APs rather than the social studies ones.  As a PP mentioned, there's a fair amount of 'teaching to the test' in AP classes, including teacher feedback on essay structure.  The math/science open ended questions may have less nuance to what is expected, structure-wise.

Question for folks who know-- I assumed than when they want 2, 3, or 4 APs with score of 5, then a) they wanted the 'core' APs (calc, bio, us history, foreign language etc) rather than the many other APs (psych, human geography, environmental science, etc.).  Is that not the case?

And a follow-on.  Is this a kind of threshold thing where once you hit the minimum requirement, they look at other aspects of your application?  Or is that the stated minumum number but in reality no one is admitted without some larger number of APs with 5s?  [/quote]

OP here. I obviously am looking for information about APs myself but, from what I know about the British system, imagine most are not looking for a full breadth of APs.  The British education system is very specialised. Most British students only do 3 A level subjects for their last 2 years of school (eg my DH did maths, econ, physics).

Some of the courses specify which APs, especially the maths, science and economics programmes. Others don’t but I imagine they will want to see APs that are relevant. Eg if you apply to study history, you probably can’t apply with 3 APs in maths/science.  Quite a few universities specify you cannot include AP research or seminar.

Edinburgh Uni is very specific about the combinations of APs it will accept for psychology. Durham says no specific subjects are required and a combination of arts and science is encouraged. Bath says 3 APs including no more than one in Calculus and that you must get a 3 in AP Calculus AB, BC, stats or precalc OR 720 in SSAT maths or 30 in SAT maths.  Bath does not specify subjects but does require British students to have a maths/science as one of their 3 A level subjects so imagine that might be taken into account

Regarding the entrance requirements, it is hard to gauge. Durham states ‘typical offer’ whereas others say ‘minimum’. I can tell you from experience that international $$$ probably makes a difference. My other DC was accepted at his first choice with an overall IB score 36 when the minimum stated on the website is 39. However, importantly,  he did meet the grades required for the 3 higher levesubjects relevant to the course he applied for. I have also heard that Durham has accepted applicants with a lower overall score provided they meet requirements in the relevant subjects (eg if you apply to study French and literature but your chemistry mark pulls the overall grade down). [/quote]

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