DATA-INFORMED ACADEMIC PLANNING

Discover Your AP Potential

Finding academic strengths students may not yet see in themselves.

AP Potential is a research-driven tool from the College Board that uses performance on the SAT Suite of Assessments to identify students who are likely to succeed in specific AP subjects. At GLS, we use this data as one vital component of a broader, personalized academic planning process that respects the whole student.

Turning Assessment Data Into Academic Opportunity

AP Potential is a research-driven College Board tool that uses SAT Suite performance—including PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT, and the SAT—to identify specific AP subjects where students are likely to succeed. By analyzing years of data, it highlights academic paths that might otherwise go unnoticed.

One assessment can reveal more than a score. It can reveal an academic opportunity.

SAT Suite Performance

Research-Based Analysis

Potential AP Strengths

Academic Planning

Potential Isn’t Always Obvious

Traditional AP recommendations often rely on a student's previous grades or a teacher's individual observation. While these are critical inputs, assessment data can reveal strengths in subjects a student may not have considered or a teacher may not have fully seen in a different classroom context.

I Didn’t Know I Could Take AP.

Data identifies students with the potential to succeed in high-rigor courses, often giving them the confidence to step into their first advanced placement classroom.

I Didn’t Know Which AP Was Right for Me.

By matching specific SAT Suite strengths to related AP subjects, we help students choose pathways that align with their demonstrated academic abilities.

I Didn’t Know I Had Strength in That Subject.

Analytical data can uncover hidden strengths, showing a math-minded student their potential in AP Art History or a skilled reader their aptitude for AP Psychology.

Data identifies possibilities. Good academic advising determines what to do with them.

From Data to Direction

01

ASSESS

Utilize SAT Suite performance data including PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT, and the SAT.

02

IDENTIFY

Apply research-based analysis of individual performance against standard AP subjects and outcomes.

03

DISCOVER

Clearly identify high potential for success within specific AP subjects where students can excel.

04

PLAN

GLS integrates data with interest, motivation, prerequisites, and teacher input to build goals.

Different Strengths. Different Opportunities.

A student’s academic profile is multidimensional. Their AP pathway should be too.

MATHEMATICAL REASONING

AP Calculus AB
AP Precalculus

READING + ANALYTICAL STRENGTH

AP English Language
AP English Literature
AP Art History

BROADER ACADEMIC STRENGTH

AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Psychology
AP Statistics
AP U.S. History
AP Computer Science

The Goal Isn’t More AP. It’s the Right AP.

In a world of increasing college admissions pressure, students often feel they must collect as many AP courses as possible. At GLS, we believe in a different approach—purposeful rigor. We use assessment data to identify not just the quantity of advanced challenge a student can handle, but the specific subjects where they are most likely to grow and excel.

Readiness

Strength

Interest

Progression

Future Goals

The Right AP Pathway

Data Informs the Decision. It Doesn’t Make the Decision.

No single test score defines potential. AP Potential is one piece of evidence used alongside a student's broader record to identify paths for success.

THE STUDENT

AP Potential Data

Course Performance

Teacher Input

Student Motivation

Academic Interests

College & Career Goals

Finding Hidden Academic Potential

NOT: "Is this student an AP student?"

INSTEAD: "Where is this student ready to be challenged?"

The strongest academic decisions come from seeing the whole student—not just one number. We use assessment data to identify students who may be ready for a greater academic challenge but don’t yet see themselves as typical AP students. By revealing these unrecognized strengths, we open doors to rigorous coursework that matches their true capacity.

From Potential to a Personalized Academic Plan

Planning is an ongoing, evolving process at GLS. It is not a once-a-year registration task, but a continuous conversation where AP Potential serves as one valuable data input in a comprehensive academic strategy.

Plan Earlier. Progress Intentionally.

Student Academic Profile

AP Potential

Counselor / Academic Review

Individual Academic Plan

Course Selection

Progress Monitoring

Future Course Planning

GRADE 9

Discover

Identify emerging strengths through the first baseline assessments and broaden academic curiosity.

GRADE 10

Develop

Synthesize data from PSAT 10 to map out initial AP selections and build critical logic skills.

GRADE 11

Challenge

Deepen rigor by aligning high-potential subjects with college aspirations and career paths.

GRADE 12

Advance

Refine the academic profile with advanced university-level work in areas of proven strength.

Strong academic planning is a progression—not a last-minute decision made during junior year.

Potential Should Open Doors—Not Close Them

AP Potential is a guidance tool designed to help students discover new academic opportunities, not an admissions requirement or a restrictive label. If a student is not specifically recommended for a course by the tool, it should not be taken as a sign of inability or a reason for discouragement. GLS advisors consider a student’s full academic preparation, prior coursework, current grades, personal interest, motivation, and teacher recommendations as primary factors in course selection.

AP Potential should help discover opportunities—not become a gatekeeper.

One Connected Academic Strategy

GLS treats advanced academics as a purposeful progression, not a collection of isolated programs. By connecting foundational skills to advanced exploration, we ensure students are consistently challenged at their highest level of readiness while building the deep cognitive stamina required for university success.

Discovering Potential Through the GLS 5C

Critical Thinking

The ability to analyze information, evaluate evidence, and construct reasoned arguments.

Creativity

Approaching problems with curiosity and developing original solutions through divergent thinking.

Capability

Establishing the academic discipline and cognitive stamina required for mastery.

Collaboration

Working effectively within diverse global teams to achieve shared intellectual goals.

Civic Commitment

Applying academic potential to ethical leadership and meaningful service to the community.

Pre-AP — Foundation

AP Potential — Discovery

AP — Academic Rigor

AP Career Kickstart — Applied Learning

College-Level Opportunities — Advanced Preparation

Your Scores Tell a Story. Let’s Understand What Comes Next.

At GLS, we believe data is a tool for discovery, not for definition. Your SAT Suite performance provides a roadmap of possibilities, but it is your curiosity, your goals, and our academic partnership that determine your destination. Let’s identify where you are ready to be challenged and build an academic plan that reflects your full potential.

Discover strengths. Choose the right challenge. Build the next step.