The College Board is an American nonprofit organization which develops, operates standardized curricula, and administers and grades standardized tests that are widely accepted by its associate institutions, which number in excess of over 6,000 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Their standardized curricula and tests are used by K–12 and post-secondary education institutions to promote college-readiness and as part of the college admissions process. Most American colleges and universities accept certified AP courses as a strong indicator of students’ academic abilities and self-management skills. Some schools even accept the successful completion of AP courses as being equivalent to taking a college-level course, therefore granting college credits.