A two-year advanced diploma program developing critical thinking, research, and presentation skills through College Board's AP program
Grade 10 or 11
AP Seminar
Grade 11 or 12
AP Research
*Courses cannot be taken simultaneously
Team Presentation
Individual Work
Two Parts
Strengthens college applications and prepares for academic rigor
Develops analytical skills and creative problem-solving abilities
Builds confidence in personal thoughts, opinions, and research
Follow Your Passion
Choose topics and courses that genuinely interest you—especially for AP Research
Strategic Selection
Pick AP courses aligned with your college major and career goals
Get Support
Don't hesitate to seek help from teachers, tutors, and online resources
The AP Capstone is a two-year diploma program based on two year-long courses: AP Seminar and AP Research. Taking these two courses allows students to earn either the AP Capstone Diploma or the AP Seminar and Research Certificate. In order to earn the AP Capstone Diploma, students must achieve a score of 3 or higher on both the AP Seminar and AP Research courses, as well as a score of 3 or higher on four other AP exams.
In order to earn the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, students must achieve a score of 3 or higher on both the AP Seminar and AP Research courses, but do not need to score 3 or higher on any additional AP exams.
There are a number of reasons why students should consider taking the AP Capstone. First, it will benefit students' post-secondary careers. Not only does it look great on college applications, but it will also prepare them for the advanced academic rigor of college classes. Second, the curricula of the AP Capstone will help develop the way students think. They will engage in creative problem-solving and gain confidence in their own thoughts and opinions.
In either grade ten or grade eleven, students take AP Seminar, followed by AP Research in grade eleven or grade twelve. These two courses cannot be taken simultaneously, and AP Seminar must be taken before AP Research.
AP Seminar is the first-class students aiming to complete the AP Capstone are required to take. It is designed to broaden students' critical thinking and analysis skills but focus on a handful of real-world, multidisciplinary topics. For example, one topic may ask whether scientists should be trying to create true artificial intelligence. This topic requires discussion of several subjects, such as technology, ethics, social sciences, and more.
There are two primary tasks and a final exam that make up the students' grade.
In this task, students are put into teams of two to four members and asked to give a presentation on the topic of their choosing. Each team member researches a specific aspect of the topic and then the research is combined into a single group presentation of roughly eight to ten minutes.
For example, if the team chooses the topic of voter reform, one member may research the economic impact of revamping the voting system, while another might research the social impact.
The second task centers around a package of stimulus material given to every student taking the AP Seminar course by the College Board. All packages are identical and contain several texts of varying natures, designed to inspire students.
The argumentative essay must be 1800-2200 words long and use at least one of the texts from the stimulus material as a source. However, other research and sources must be used as well.
The individual presentation is roughly six to eight minutes long and is based on the argumentative essay. Following the presentation, students will face questions from their teacher and be required to respond to them.
The final exam of the AP Seminar is comprised of two parts:
Part 1: Students are given an argumentative text to read and must determine the author's central claim, the argument's line of reasoning, and the evidence used to support the argument.
Part 2: Students are given four different argumentative texts and must create their own argumentative essay, synthesizing the four texts to do so.
A score of 3/5 on the final exam is required in order to move onto the AP Research course.
AP Research, completed in either grade eleven or grade twelve, is an individual project on a topic chosen by the student. They will take the full school year to research the topic and write a 4000 to 5000-word essay on it, as well giving a public presentation.
The public presentation is worth 25% of the students' final score and is graded by their teacher. The presentation itself is 15-20 minutes long, followed by 3-4 minutes of responding to questions by a three-person panel.
Research Design
It must be clearly shown that the research question, method, argument, and conclusion are present and logically fit together.
Establish Argument
The conclusion must logically and clearly be a result of a well-identified and well-supported argument.
Reflect
It is important to show how the research and the process of writing personally affected the student's conclusions.
Engage Audience
The student should be well-spoken and use a variety of communication techniques, such as eye contact and thoughtful gestures, during their presentation.
Based on questions from the panel:
Research/Inquiry Process
The student must explain why they chose the particular methodology that they did and defend why it was appropriate.
Depth of Understanding
The student must show comprehension of specific details related to their work and connect them to their conclusions.
Reflection Throughout the Inquiry Process
The student must demonstrate how the process of the year-long research project has personally affected their own understanding or development.
The research essay is worth 75% of the students' final score and is graded by external College Board readers. The essay is graded on a scale of 1-5. Because this is a research project, it is expected of students to use scholarly articles and produce their own research with unique and replicable methodology.
Topic & Context
The topic and context for the research question
Research Question
The research question and purpose
Literature Synthesis
The synthesis of knowledge gained from secondary reading
Method Explanation
The explanation, justification, and limitations of methodology
Analysis
The analysis of findings
Final Argument
The final argument
Proper Citing
Proper citing of information and bibliography
Knowledge Gap
An attempt to fill a knowledge gap in an existing field of study
Personal Reflection
Personal reflection
In order to receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate, all you need to do is score 3+ on both AP Seminar and AP Research.
However, in order to receive the AP Capstone Diploma, you need to score 3+ on AP Seminar, AP Research, and four additional AP exams of your choosing. Students should take AP exams that they are interested in and that will benefit them in post-secondary.
Students should follow their passions, especially when choosing the research topic for AP Research and the AP exams they will take. Students will do better when they study and write about things they genuinely care about.
When choosing four additional AP courses for the diploma, we recommend that students take courses that align with what they want to study in college. College admissions staff want to see that you are already prepared for your major/career.
Lastly, students should seek help when they need it! Whether it is from teachers, tutoring services, or free online resources.
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Everything you need to know about the AP Capstone Program