AP Chinese Program Frequently Asked Questions

What is difference between SAT II and AP?

• High school students typically take  2 - 3 SAT II subject tests for college applications.   Unless the students score very well in SAT II Chinese and apply in a related major, it is not obvious that SAT II Chinese helps the college application. AP is an overall more advanced class, and it provides high school language course credits and, in some cases, college credits.  A pass in AP Chinese exam is often considered to be equivalent to a 4-year  language study.  Still not clear? Please visit https://www.collegeboard.org/ and check out your particular school district and colleges. 

Why would I sign up at West Valley for the AP curriculum?

• Proven success - 100% exam pass rate.
• An early start, when the student is still in the middle school, after 7th grade.
  
• Tailored to address different learning pace.
• Dedicated and experienced teacher.
• Our school has 50+ years of Chinese education experience.
• Discounted tuition for qualified students. 
• Small class size.
• Sensitive to students with Cantonese background and provides better support to a Mandarin-focused course.

I am studying Mandarin at my day school.  Why would I consider AP at West Valley?

• The AP class offered at WVCLS is a supplementary class that allows students to achieve AP exam readiness expeditiously.

What is the program duration?

• It depends.  Each student learns differently.  Some students may be ready in a year, some may choose to stay in the program longer to be exam ready.

Would the AP course be available to students who are not currently with West Valley?

• Yes.  The AP course is no different than other grades.  External students are welcome and they will be asked to complete an assessment.​

I want to learn more about culture and not exam.  What should I choose?

• ​Learning about the culture and getting to the standard of passing AP exam are different ways to achieve the same objective of learning Chinese.  They are complementary.  For students who are not interested in AP nor Mandarin, they can stay with the existing offerings for 8th, C-Adv 1, C-Adv 2 classes.

I want to continue in learning Cantonese.

• Students can continue with existing 8th, C-Adv 1, C-Adv 2 classes.  Students who have completed the AP exam can transition back to the equivalent classes of C-Adv 1 or C-Adv 2.​

How will UC credit students pass AP Chinese exam?

• Credit will be granted for AP exams, and expressed in quarter units for those who score 3 or higher re: UC AP Credits.  Each campus will determine what credits to give, and your major may also affect the credit.  A few example for your reference and please check the website for latest information.  E.g. Berkeley College of Chemistry for Chemistry or Biology majors, and College of Letters and Science - satisfy Foreign Language requirement; for UCLA School of Arts and Architecture, College of Letters and Science – satisfy Foreign Language requirement;  UC San Diego, score of 3 , 4 or 5 would be able to exempt different courses.  Stanford, score 4 or 5 will exempt language requirement.

I am interested but not planning to take AP exam.

• Taking AP exam is not a requirement for the class.  Students can still graduate after reaching the senior year in day school.   However, students need to be aware that this class is in Mandarin and is at a more advanced level.