“Advanced Academics includes courses, programs, assessments, services and supports that provide opportunities for students to demonstrate college and career readiness and earn postsecondary credit.”
- Texas Education Agency
AP Exam Registration will be open until Friday, November 8, 2024 .
Register and pay using the link: https://user.totalregistration.net/AP/440687
Please click the image below to view our presentation from Advanced Academics Night
What’s the Difference? | Dual Credit | Advanced Placement (AP) | UT On Ramps |
# of Courses | Max of 14 dual credit courses, recommend do not exceed 30 college hours to avoid affecting financial aid and students do not exceed 3 Dual courses a year (15 hours/semester) | There are no limits as to how many courses a student can take. | There are no limits as to how many courses a student can take. |
Eligibility | Students must apply and take the TSI (or PSAT exemption) to qualify for Dual Credit courses. | There is no pre-test or application required to qualify to take AP courses. | Must meet course prerequisites |
Earning College Credit | College credit is earned by passing each semester of the high school course (70 or higher). | College credit is earned by scoring a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP test administered in May. | UT professor awards college grades based on university work and assessments. |
Weighted Points added per Semester when calculating GPA/Class Placement | AP/DC- 8 Points DC Only- 5 Points | 8 Points | 8 Points |
Credit Transfer | College credit is transferable to other universities/colleges. Students should consult with their chosen college/university to inquire about transferability. | University determines course equivalency. AP scores of 3 or higher may qualify students for college credit nationwide. Each university determines score to course equivalency. | College credit is transferable to other universities/colleges. Students should consult with their chosen college/university to inquire about transferability. |
Follow us on Twitter for everything Advanced Academics: @Soto_Advanced
What Is Dual Credit?
| 1 | Dual Credit allows students to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously simultaneously at their high school.
| 2 | College credit is awarded as long as the student earns a 70 or higher each semester.
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| 3 | Awarding of college credit comes from a local community college (Northwest Vista College). | 4 | Can take up to 14 courses however, if the student exceeds 30 college credit hours of dual credit, it may affect financial aid
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🐾Dual Credit Courses at Sotomayor:
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🐾 Quick Dual Credit Links:
- Northwest Vista College
- Dual Credit Transcript Request (Select Transcript Request on the page)
- Northwest Vista Student Services
- Texas Common Course Numbering System
🐾How To Apply:
To apply for our Dual Credit Program, please first indicate your interest by filling out the form below and then completing the following steps by the due date:
1. Complete an ApplyTexas application
Students must complete an ApplyTexas application to their chosen program to begin the dual credit process. Click on the ApplyTexas icon to the left to go to the application site. Click on the ApplyTexas Guide link below for guidance in completing the application. You must use a personal email when completing the application, DO NOT USE your NISD email. You must use a PERSONAL EMAIL when creating your Apply TX account.
Apply Texas Guide - 2023-2024 version
Due: March 22, 2024
2. Log into ACES Account
ACES is the Alamo Colleges student portal. After completing the ApplyTexas application, students should receive an email with log-in information to access their ACES account. Click the icon to the left to access the ACES Login page.
3. Complete Online Modules
Log in to your ACES account to complete the GO FAARR and TEST PREP modules. These modules are required for all students applying for Dual Credit classes.
Steps 2 and 3 Due: April 1, 2024
ACES Instructions for Steps 2 and 3
4. Pay for and take the TSI
For students that are not PSAT exempt. Please see our Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Information tab for additional information or email Chelsea.Reyes@nisd.net
Due: April 26, 2024
5. Complete Dual Credit Orientation
Log in to your ACES account and locate the Canvas Icon. On Canvas complete the Dual Credit Orientation Module. Use the guide attached below to assist in completing Step 5. There may be some assignments you will not be able to complete until a set date.
Dual Credit Orientation Guide - 2023-2024 version
Due: April 26, 2024
What Is AP?
| 1 | AP Courses expose student to college rigor, and allow them to earn college credit by passing an AP exam (score 3 or higher) | 2 | Students sign up for courses in the Spring through their counselors
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| 3 | Some courses may require summer reading.
| 4 | Students pay for AP exams (Cost: $40) in the Fall. Students take the exam in early May and scores are received in early July
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*Pre-AP courses expose students to the skills necessary for AP courses- no college credit is earned
🐾AP Courses at Sotomayor:
| AP Course Name | Notes | |
| Electives | 2-D Art and Design | Students can take this course starting Sophomore year and it is recommended they have two or more Art credits |
| AP Drawing | Students can take this course starting Sophomore year and it is recommended they have two or more Art credits | |
| Art History | Students can take this course starting Sophomore year and it is recommended they have two or more Art credits. | |
| Computer Science A | Students can take this after Principles of Computer Science | |
| Computer Science Principles | This is a freshman level course. | |
| Music Theory | This class is recommended for juniors and seniors. Students should have a background in music (choir, band, or orchestra, or some kind of classical music training). This class is best suited for students who wish to pursue music after high school. | |
| Spanish Language and Culture | Students can take this course after Spanish 3 | |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | Students can take this course after Spanish 4 | |
| French Language and Culture | Students can take this course after French 3 | |
| Math | Calculus BC | Students can take this course after PreCalculus Advanced, or after Calculus AB |
| Calculus AB | Students can take this course after Pre-Calculus Advanced | |
| Statistics | Students can take this course anytime after Algebra II | |
| Pre-Calculus | Student can take anytime after Geometry and Algebra II | |
| Science | Environmental Science | This course is recommended for juniors and seniors. |
| Physics 1 | This course is recommended for juniors and seniors, students must have completed geometry and be taking Algebra II or have completed it. | |
| Biology | This course is recommended for juniors and seniors. | |
| English | English Language and Composition | This is a junior level course |
| English Literature | This is a senior level course. | |
| History | Human Geography | This is a freshman level course. |
| Modern World History | This is a sophomore level course. | |
| Psychology | This course is recommended for juniors and seniors. However, it is open to sophomore if they have taken AP Human Geography | |
| United States History | This is a junior level course. | |
| US Government | This is a senior level course, one semester in length. | |
| Macroeconomics | This is a senior level course, one semester in length. |
AP: College Credit |
**The best consulting resource a student should be referring to is the college or university they wish to attend.** The amount of college credit a student can earn from their AP Courses is dependent upon: 1) AP Exam Score- In Texas, a score of 3,4,5 will receive college credit. Universities determine the type of credit and the amount. 2) The College’s AP credit policy- public universities in general will award AP credit for every AP exam however other schools may be more restrictive. |
AP: College Placement |
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How to Plan Ahead? |
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🐾Quick AP Links:
🐾AP Exam Registration
To register for AP Exams, please click below to register and pay for your exams on Total Registration. You MUST register and pay for your exams using Total Registration for exams to be ordered for you
www.TotalRegistration.net/AP/44068
Description | Cost per Exam |
| 1st Semester Courses/ Year Long Courses Exam registration and payment must be completed by November 8, 2024. | $42.00 $12.00 Reduced Fee for Qualifying students |
| Late order fee for exams ordered between November 8 - March 5. | $42.00 in addition to the exam fee. |
| Refund Policy for Yearlong and 1st Semester/Fall Semester Only Courses | Cancel by November 8, 2024, 11:59pm. |
| 2nd Semester Courses (Government/Macroeconomics): Registration starts January 7 and it ends March 2. | $42.00 $12.00 Reduced Fee for Qualifying Students |
| Late Fee Applies after March 2 11:59pm. | $42.00 in addition to the exam fee |
| Refund Policy for 2nd Semester/Spring Semester Only Courses | Cancel by March 5, 2025, 11:59pm. |
No Show Fee | $42.00 in addition to the exam fee. |
Challenge Exams | $103.00 |
🐾AP Exam Schedule
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Art and Design: Friday, May 9, 2025 (8 p.m. ET), is the deadline for AP Art and Design students
to submit their three portfolio components as final in the AP Digital Portfolio.
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What Is On Ramps?
| 1 | Students earn college credit from UT Austin
| 2 | Students engage with high-quality content and build digital literacy skills using the same tools as UT students
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| 3 | Students earn TWO grades (high school and college). These grades do NOT have to match
| 4 | Students sign up for courses in the Spring through their counselors
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🐾On Ramps Courses at Sotomayor:
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🐾 Quick On Ramps Links:
🐾 Quick TSI Testing for Dual Credit Links:
🐾 TSI Testing Dates:
All testing will take place at Sotomayor High School
- March 23, 2024
- April 6, 2024
🐾 TSI Registration and Payment:
- Register for the TSI: https://forms.gle/czeU7CBCdjR8PvNF7
- EXAM FEE: $14
- Make your payment via My School Bucks.
- You can visit their website or download their app for your mobile phone.
- My School Bucks Guide
What is the TSIA 2 and do I have to take it?
The Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2) is a series of placement tests for students enrolling in public colleges and universities in Texas. The tests help Texas schools determine whether you’re ready for college-level courses in the areas of reading, writing, and math.
What do I have to score on the TSIA 2 to be eligible for Dual Credit?
| ELAR Placement | Math Placement |
Passing: 945 or higher OR Diagnostic Level 5 or higher and Essay of 5 or higher
| Passing: 950 or higher OR Diagnostic Level 6 or higher |
English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) Section - 30 items
Essay - Persuasive (350-600 words) | Mathematics (MATH) Section - 20 items
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Can I receive a TSIA 2 Waiver?
Students must score the following in order to be exempt from taking the TSI.
| ELAR Waiver | Math Waiver |
| PSAT score of 460 or higher | PSAT score of 510 or higher |
🐾 Quick TSI Study Resources :
- Practice for TSI Accuplacer - College Board (Includes a Study App)
- Prepare for TSI Accuplacer- College Board
- NVC ELAR Practice Questions
- NVC Math Practice Questions
- NVC Essay Practice Questions
- TSIA2 Learning Resources- Click Enter Student Site to Begin
🐾 TSI Study Resource Instructions:
Students can access ACCUPLACER/TSIA2 practice resources from both the ACCUPLACER website and the ACCUPLACER platform.
ACCUPLACER website:
- From the ACCUPLACER homepage:
- ACCUPLACER practice resources links can be found on the Practice for ACCUPLACER panel.
- TSIA2 PAA and practice resources for Texas students can be found on the For Students/For Texas Students panel.
ACCUPLACER platform:
- From the ACCUPLACER Student Portal
- ACCUPLACER practice resources links can be found on the ACCUPLACER Practice Resources link.
- TSIA2 PAA and practice resources for Texas students can be found on the TSIA2 Practice Resources for Texas Students link.
