Are Advanced Placement (AP) Courses Worth It?
Whether you’re in 8th grade looking forward to high school or a high schooler contemplating next year’s courses, you may wonder if Advanced Placement (AP) courses are right for you. Once you decide they are, you must decide which courses you take.
But you’ll need to know more about AP classes to decide, so we’ll tell you everything now.
What are AP courses?
AP courses are college-level classes offered to high school students across the country. These courses cover various subjects, including math, science, history, languages, and the arts. They are designed to mimic the rigor and depth of college courses, helping students prepare for the next level of their academic journey.
Each AP course aligns with a specific AP exam, which students take at the end of the school year. A high score on the AP exam can earn students college credit or advanced placement at many universities, allowing them to potentially skip introductory courses when they enter college.
The College Board creates and manages AP courses. It is a non-profit organization responsible for developing the curriculum frameworks, creating the exams, and setting the scoring guidelines. The College Board also administers SAT/PSAT testing.
High school teachers teach AP classes within participating schools. These schools decide which AP courses to offer, and teachers are responsible for guiding students through the coursework. Although the College Board defines the course structure and administers the exams, the classes are run by schools, meaning each institution tailors how the class is delivered.
There are two primary purposes of AP coursework:
- To give you the potential to earn college credit.
Heading to college with credits already completed can help you graduate early or add a second major or a minor if that benefits you.
- To expose you to college-level academic rigor in their classes.
A more demanding course curriculum can better prepare you for college and demonstrate your academic aptitude during college application and admissions.
What are the benefits of AP courses?
We briefly mentioned them above but will cover them in more detail now.
Earning college credits in high school
Earning college credit is not guaranteed with AP coursework. To earn college credit for an AP class, you must receive a minimum score on the AP Exam, administered nationwide in May each year.
AP Exams consist of multiple-choice and free-response sections (the look of each section depends on the course's subject area). They are generally 2-3 hours long and scored on a 1-5 scale.
In many cases, a score of 3 will give you college credit. However, depending on the college and your major, a score of 4 or 5 may be necessary for the credit. While the test is taken in May, scores are generally released in the first two weeks of July.
Experiencing college-level rigor in high school
Taking college-level coursework during high school almost always gives you some advantage, provided you do well. AP coursework is designed to challenge you with higher-level thinking and a demanding workload.
AP courses challenge you to think critically and deeply and help you develop skills in time management, study habits, and academic discipline—all of which are essential for success in college.
If you are ready for that challenge, AP coursework can show colleges that you are capable of college-level study. Moreover, it demonstrates that you are unafraid to take on something challenging. This can be beneficial in the college admissions process, as college applications ask counselors to compare the individual student’s level of rigor to that of classmates.
Should I take AP courses?
As you decide, first look into which AP courses your high school offers, then consider these questions:
Are there any AP classes in subject areas I am interested in? Challenging yourself with an AP course in a subject area of high interest can provide a college-level look at a potential major or career path.
Are there any AP classes in subject areas I tend to do well in? Past performance is a keen indicator of how you will fare in an AP course. If you’ve always been a strong math student, challenging yourself in an AP math course may benefit you in numerous ways.
Does my high school have specific criteria for taking AP courses? Schools often have baseline criteria for students to take an AP course. These criteria may be based on previous performance in that subject area or standardized test scores. Knowing the demands of an AP course, teachers and administration often want to protect a student from failing or having to move out of it if it proves too difficult.
Do any of the available AP courses match what I plan to study in college? Often, you’ll know your general field of interest, and challenging yourself in an AP course within that field can provide great in-depth exploration.
Am I ready for a demanding workload, including heavy reading? If you are a student who tends to do the bare minimum to get by in classes, AP may not be a good fit. If you generally work hard, do the readings, and prepare for class, you are likely ready for the demands of AP.
Do I have the time to dedicate to an AP course or multiple AP courses? Consider your time management skills and all other commitments you currently have. It’s critical that you don’t overload yourself to the point of stress and overwhelm.
Is my daily school attendance strong? To succeed in AP courses, you must attend school regularly. If you tend to miss a lot of classes, AP courses will likely not be a good fit. Too much instruction will be missed if you’re frequently missing class.
How many AP courses should I take?
Loading up on AP courses isn’t the goal. Taking AP courses for the sake of taking AP courses isn’t the goal, either. There are roughly 40 Advanced Placement courses offered. Some high schools only offer 2 or 3, while others offer more than 30.
Rather than focus on the number of AP courses in high school, it’s more important to focus on how they can enrich and benefit your future.
What do you want to study in college?
Given that you should have an interest and an aptitude in a subject area when considering AP courses, selecting courses wisely is essential. Students often choose AP courses based on what they hope to study in college.
For example, a future engineering major may line up to take AP Physics C and AP Calculus BC because these classes, in particular, would benefit that major. A student hoping to study psychology in college may benefit from taking AP Psychology and AP Statistics.
Taking it further, a student who plans to major in art in college may take a few AP Art courses to show advanced studies and create a portfolio for admissions. A future business major may find benefits in AP Micro- and Macroeconomics.
What if my high school has few or no AP options?
Remember that you do not have to take the AP course to take an AP exam. If you want to take an AP exam, you can study for it independently or find an equivalent online class.
Dual credit is also an option for students attending schools with limited AP offerings. Honors classes are another option, although students do not earn college credit for taking them.
Closing thoughts about AP courses
As we wrap up this piece, it’s helpful to note that AP courses can be helpful for college admission, but they aren’t critical. Sure, AP courses show you can take and manage demanding courses, which is ideal for admission to more selective colleges. However, students get into many excellent colleges without a single AP course on their transcript.
And finally, as you’re debating whether to delve into AP coursework, consider how dedicated a student you’ll be. Consider your study habits and interests. Ask others who have taken the course before you about the intensity and expectations of the course. And then decide whether you’re ready for the challenge.
Learn your chances of getting into any college
Now that you know how AP classes work and if they'll be worth it, you're ready to make smart academic decisions for your future. If your goals include attending college, it's helpful to estimate how likely it is that you'll be admitted to your favorite colleges with your current grades and test scores.
Click the button below to see your chances of admission now. Knowing this lets you adjust course- if needed- with confidence.
