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Should you take AP classes?
Why should I take AP classes in high school?
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Should you include AP classes in your high school curriculum?
Should I take AP classes if I don't earn credit?
Are AP classes hard?
How AP Classes Can Be Worthwhile: 4 Benefits. There are several compelling reasons to take AP classes in high school. We'll discuss the different ways taking AP classes can help you discover new interests and make you a competitive applicant for college.
- What Are AP Classes? Why Should You Take Them? - PrepScholar
Taking an AP class (or several!) is a great way to challenge...
- Which AP Classes Should You Take? Planning Guide
By carefully considering which AP classes to take, you can...
- What Are AP Classes? Why Should You Take Them? - PrepScholar
- Pros of AP Classes
- Cons of AP Classes
- The Bottom Line
1. You may receive college credit.
Many colleges offer college credit for students who receive certain scores on their AP exams. At selective schools, that’s typically a 4 or 5, though some schools may offer credit for a score of 3. Just make sure you look up their policies because most colleges only apply credit for select exams. In some cases, for example, you’ll receive credit for a 3 on AP Calculus BC, but not for a 5 on AP English Literature and Composition. In some cases, albeit rare ones, you could even save moneyon you...
2. The rigor better prepares you for college.
Research showsthat AP students — especially high scorers on AP exams — are more likely to have higher GPAs in their first year of college than those who didn’t take any AP exams. This suggests that participation in the AP program correlates to better preparation for a college curriculum.
3. Weighted grades can boost your GPA.
Many high schools weight GPAs, adding as much as a full point for participation in AP courses. That means that if you earn a B, typically a 3.0 in a regular course, it could be assigned a value of 4.0. Still, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work hard in AP courses, or that the weighting will save your GPA. Colleges take many aspects of your transcript into account, including the rigor of the courses and the grade you received, as well as how your performance compares to that of your classmates.
1. Coursework is time-consuming.
When you enroll in an AP course, you should be aware that the work will take longer than that in regular-level classes. These curricula are meant to be college-level, so you’ll need to invest more time and effort than you would in less rigorous classes. Be honest with yourself about your time commitments; the last thing you want to do is spend every waking hour on academics. Take care to budget time for extracurriculars, friends, family, and self-care.
2. Exams are expensive.
AP exams generally cost $95 each, at least in the US, US territories, Canada, or DoDEA schools. Students outside of these areas will pay $125/exam. The two exceptions are AP Seminar and AP Research, whose exams cost $143 in all locations. If exams are ordered late, they will incur a $40 additional fee. If a student takes a handful of AP exams, that’s easily several hundred dollars! Fortunately, students who are enrolled in or eligible to participate in the National School Lunch Program can re...
3. Many selective schools don’t take AP credit.
Some more selective schools won’t accept AP scores as college credit. More still accept certain subjects but not others. While you may not receive credit, taking the course and the exam will still demonstrate that you’re up to the task of handling rigorous, college-level work. In fact, some colleges use the exam for placement purposes; for example, a 4 or 5 on a math or language exam could allow you to start at the 200-level, rather than the 100-level.
Even if you don’t earn college credit with your AP scores, the courses and exams are still helpful. You should certainly take as many as you can handle if you’re applying to top 30 colleges and universities. If you’re applying to less selective schools, such as the top 30-100, you don’t need to overload on APs. However, you should still take some i...
Below you'll find a list of the most popular courses for each grade level. There are many factors to consider when deciding which AP courses you should take. The types of courses, when to take them, and the amount of college-level work a student may be ready for varies.
AP is for all students–but you should be ready. You don’t need to be top of your class to be an AP student, but you’ll want to be prepared for the AP course you choose. Some AP classes have recommended courses you should take first, and all AP courses ask that you come willing to do your best work.
- Your Strengths and Weaknesses. Perhaps the most important thing to think about when considering which AP courses to take is your level of comfort and/or experience with the subject material.
- Your School. AP courses differ in reputation from school to school. As you decide which courses you want to sign up for, make sure you know who is teaching them.
- Your Life Outside of School. It’s important to consider your pre-existing commitments and obligations when deciding which AP courses to take. Think about clubs, family responsibilities, jobs, volunteering, and sports teams that will still occupy large chunks of your time as you are taking these APs.
- Achieving Academic Balance. It’s always better to do well in a few APs than to spread yourself too thin and do poorly in a bunch of APs. Achieving balance within your class schedule means figuring out which APs are generally difficult, then talking to your peers about how things operate specifically at your school.
Taking an AP class (or several!) is a great way to challenge yourself academically and show colleges that you're serious about your education. An AP class on your transcript signals stronger academic training, especially with high passing scores of 4 and 5 on the test.
By carefully considering which AP classes to take, you can maximize the benefits you get from them while minimizing the drawbacks. Below are six steps you should take to ensure you've considered all the major factors needed for choosing the best AP classes for you.
