When did ACT tests and AP classes begin?

I was just curious about the history of ACT tests and AP classes. Does anyone know when these standardized exams and classes first started?

ACT tests and AP classes have a long history, and each has played a significant role in shaping the landscape of American education.

The ACT (originally named the American College Test) was first administered in 1959. The test was developed as an alternative to the SAT and was designed to be more focused on measuring a student's knowledge of specific subject areas rather than broader aptitude or reasoning skills. Since its inception, the ACT has evolved in terms of format and scoring, but it continues to be a widely used standardized exam for college admissions in the United States.

Advanced Placement (AP) courses, on the other hand, were introduced in the early 1950s. The College Board, which also administers the SAT, established the AP program as a way to provide high school students with the opportunity to take college-level courses and earn college credit, potentially allowing them to graduate from college early or save on tuition costs.

The first official AP courses and exams were launched in 1956, starting with 11 subject areas. Today, the AP program offers over 30 different courses across various disciplines, giving students a wide array of options to choose from and showcase their academic strengths to colleges.

Both the ACT and AP programs have played a crucial role in college admissions, providing standardized measures of academic achievement and offering students opportunities to challenge themselves with rigorous coursework.