GPA，也就是年级平均成绩，是学生课堂表现的衡量标准。美国的学分分为ABCDF五个等级。A是最好的，F是最差的。这些等级换算成数值叫GPA(年级平均成绩)。GPA从0到4分。4分无疑是最好的成绩，尽管AP班的出现改变了这个等级。AP班，即进阶先修班，是学生可以提前在高中拿的大学课程，它往往更具有挑战性，并且经常是必修课程。在AP课堂上取得的学分在GPA中占更大比重，能使GPA高达5分。因此，在AP班级中表现突出的学生可以超过传统的GPA 4分高分。

    At the end of an AP course, students have the option of taking the AP Test for that course. These are nationally administered examinations, and students who perform well can earn college credit and fulfill college class requirements before even setting foot in a college.Due to the highly competitive nature of college admissions, many students attempt to boost their GPA’s by taking as many AP courses as possible.Sometimes, this works to the detriment of students as they are unable to keep up with all their coursework.

    在AP课程结束的时候 ......