AP

About AP

The Advanced Placement, or AP Program, at W. L. Mackenzie Collegiate Institute offers classes at a university level. AP curricula teach students more and in doing so help them to be better prepared for university.

At the end of the year, during May, students have the option of taking the standardized AP exam for their AP course. Both the curricula and examinations are standardized by the College Board. While their exam, which is graded from 1-5, will not count towards their school grade, some universities accept a 4 or 5 on an AP exam and count it towards one or more university credit(s). Information on specific universities can be found in the “Resources” tab below, although notable universities include: McMaster University, University of British Columbia, and McGill University. However, most Canadian and American universities accept AP credits, as well as over 60 universities worldwide.

AP courses and AP exams at Mackenzie:

*AP courses: Calculus, Data management, Computer science, and Microeconomics. (New 2026- Pre-AP Math 11)

*AP exams only: Macroeconomics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics 

*New for 2027- AP Business and Personal Finance, AP Cybersecurity, and Pre-AP Chemistry 11

*New for 2028- AP Biology

*All students at Mackenzie can register in the fall for an AP exam in the spring for an AP exam only. If in an AP course students register for the AP exam in the semester they are taking the AP course for the spring AP exam.

Benefits of AP Courses

If the student gets a 4 or 5 on the AP exam and the university accepts the credit transfer, the student can either skip a class in university or take a class they would not have otherwise. In doing so, the student can graduate from university earlier than their peers, and save on tuition in the process. They have much more flexibility, and can explore their options better. AP classes are recognized in universities across Canada and the US, and allows students who take AP classes to stand out from their peers. AP classes tell the university about how dedicated and eager to learn the student is.

Within the course itself, the student can:

• Improve writing and problem-solving skills
• Develop the study habits needed for university-level course work
• Study subjects in greater detail and with greater depth, expanding academic horizons

AP Board website: https://ap.collegeboard.org 

AP Canada: https://apcredit.ca/

AP Courses and AP Exams at Mackenzie                                                              AP Exam Only at Mackenzie

Mackenzie offers:

AP Computer Science (ICS 4U0)                                                                          AP Physics C Mechanics and Electricity and Magnetism

AP Calculus (MCV 4U0)                                                                                        AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2

AP Statistics (MDM 4U0)

AP Microeconomics (CIA 4U0) 

AP Pre-AP Math (MHF4UO)

AP Cybersecurity (2027)

AP Business and Personal Finance (2027)

AP Pre-AP Chemistry (2027)

AP Biology (2028)

Resources

For more information on AP courses: https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/home 

For more information on AP exam dates and fees: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/exam-dates-and-fees

For more information on which Ontario universities accept AP credits: https://universityadmissions.ca/ap-credit-policies/

For more information on international schools’ policy regarding AP credits: https://international.collegeboard.org/programs/ap-recognition/search-ap-policies-by-international-university