The AP summer pre-study is for students in grades 10 to 11. It is a three-week program in small groups of 8 to 10 students, in person or online, meeting Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with two sessions to choose from. Its purpose is to finish the first few units before the student formally takes the AP course in fall, so the pace after school starts is less stressful.
The Three AP Summer Pre-study Courses
- AP Chemistry pre-study, leading into AP Chemistry
- AP Calculus BC pre-study, leading into AP Calculus AB and BC
- AP Physics 1 pre-study, leading into AP Physics 1
Why AP Summer Pre-study Offers These Three
The three AP Summer Pre-study courses share one feature: the first few units are the foundation for everything after them. A student who falls behind at the start of school is affected again and again later on. Atomic structure and chemical reactions in AP Chemistry, limits and derivatives in calculus, and kinematics and Newton’s laws in Physics 1 all fall into this category. They are also subjects with high enrollment at Irvine high schools and a fast pace from unit to unit.
What Three Weeks of AP Summer Pre-study Can Accomplish
The pre-study does not replace the full-year course. It completes a full study of the first two to three units and builds the problem-solving and writing habits specific to the subject. Students have already seen this material when school starts, so class time can go to deepening and practice rather than first-time understanding.
Who AP Summer Pre-study Is For
Three groups of students are a good fit: students taking the subject’s AP for the first time in fall who want to reduce the pressure at the start of school; students taking several APs in the same school year who need to spread out the workload in advance; and students whose school does not offer the subject and who plan to take the full course outside school.
Summer Options Beyond AP Summer Pre-study
For all AP subjects and school-year small classes, see the AP course overview. For summer courses for younger grades, see the summer academic camp.
How to Start AP Summer Pre-study at EDUBUS
Start with a placement assessment. We use it to set the level and class, then confirm the year plan with the family. For schedules, tuition, and bundle offers, request the 2026-27 program guide through the form below.
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Contact a course advisorAP Summer Pre-study: Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Irvine students take the summer pre-study?
It front-loads the fall AP course. AP Chemistry, AP Calculus BC, and AP Physics 1 all move quickly once school starts, so covering the opening units over the summer noticeably reduces pressure in the first months of the school year.
Which Irvine students should attend?
Grade 10 and 11 students who plan to take one of the three APs in the fall. It suits students who have just finished the school prerequisite and worry about keeping pace. Students who already self-studied the full course can confirm fit through a placement assessment.
How is it scheduled?
Three weeks, 8 to 10 students, taught in person in Irvine or online, meeting Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with two rounds available. The three tracks lead into AP Chemistry, AP Calculus BC, and AP Physics 1. Placement into a track follows an assessment.
Why these three subjects?
They are the densest and the easiest to fall behind in. AP Chemistry runs a 3 hour 15 minute exam across nine units; AP Calculus BC adds two units on top of the eight AB units; AP Physics 1 spans eight units and requires experimental design skill. These three also draw the largest enrollment and move fastest at Irvine high schools.
Do Irvine students still need the full-year course after pre-study?
Yes. It covers the opening material only. The EDUBUS full-year AP courses run 32 weeks in 6 to 8 student seminars with no spring break, ending before the AP exam. For all AP subjects, see the overview.
