Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
For many high school students, Advanced Placement® (AP) classes symbolize academic success and provide a leg up in the competitive college admissions process. In 2022, more than 2.6 million students took at least one AP class, according to the College Board.
With so many learners enrolling in these rigorous classes, you may feel pressure to join to keep up with your peers. Yet, these college-level courses aren’t for everyone, and a poor grade could do more harm than good. So how do you know whether AP classes are worth it?
This guide will help you understand AP classes, their benefits and drawbacks, how to enroll, and how to earn college credit from AP exams. Let’s dive in.
Degree Finder
What Are AP Classes?
AP classes are college-level courses that students take while in high school. The College Board, the same company that administers the SAT® and PSAT®, created the AP program to allow high-achieving high school students a chance to get ahead on their college education.
Today, the AP program offers a total of 38 classes, though most high schools offer only a handful of AP courses. AP coursework is generally considered more challenging than honors classes, and each AP class corresponds with an exam to test how well you’ve grasped the course material.
Do AP Classes Give College Credit?
Taking an AP class doesn’t guarantee that you’ll earn college credit. You have to pass the class’ corresponding AP exam, usually with a score of at least 3 (on a scale of 1 to 5), to qualify for college credit at most institutions.
Many colleges recognize that a passing score on an AP exam means you’ve mastered the course material, which can earn you credits toward a college degree. Colleges may also grant advanced placement, meaning you can skip introductory courses and start with more advanced material.
Are AP Classes Graded Differently?
Many high schools weight grades for AP classes to account for the courses’ difficulty level, often grading on a 5.0 scale rather than the typical 4.0 scale. Where an A in a typical high school class is worth a 4.0, an A in an AP class might be weighted as a 5.0. As such, performing well in an AP class can boost your overall GPA, potentially pushing it over a 4.0.
That said, each high school determines how to weight grades for its AP courses, as does each college when assessing applicants’ transcripts. Even if your high school does not weight AP course grades, your prospective college might.
What AP Classes Are Available?
AP classes cover the following broad disciplines:
- Arts
- English
- History and social sciences
- Math and computer science
- Sciences
- World languages and cultures
Courses within each discipline cover various subjects. For instance, AP science courses include biology, chemistry, environmental science, physics 1: algebra-based, physics 2: algebra-based, physics C: electricity and magnetism, and physics C: mechanics.
The College Board also offers an AP Capstone® diploma program, a two-year program covering AP seminar and AP research. Capstone diploma courses teach students valuable skills for mastering any subject, including critical thinking, research, public speaking and collaborative group work.
Some classes have recommended prerequisites and alternate requirements. Check with your school before deciding which classes to take.
How Do I Sign Up for AP Classes?
You can sign up for AP classes through your school. If your school doesn’t offer the AP course you want to take, or if you are homeschooled, you may be able to take the course at another local school or through an online or distance learning provider.
While the College Board recommends taking an accredited AP course before the AP exam, it’s not required. You can study for the exam on your own. Compared to the 2.66 million students who took AP courses in 2022, 4.76 million took AP exams.
How Do AP Exams Work?
At the end of each AP course, students take a corresponding subject-specific exam. AP tests are standardized, like the SAT, so students across the country are tested on the same information. Some courses don’t have an end-of-year exam but instead require students to submit a portfolio for grading.
Exams are given once yearly at high schools and exam centers. They take around two to three hours to complete. The first section usually contains multiple-choice questions, and the second allows free responses. College professors and AP teachers score the second section, along with other tasks completed during the course.
AP exam scores range from 1 to 5. A 5 is considered an A or A+; 4 an A-, B+ or B; 3 a B-, C+ or C; and anything below a 3 not passing. According to the College Board, 60% of the exams taken in 2022 were scored as a 3 or higher.
If you’re unhappy with your score, you can retake an AP exam the following year. Colleges can access both scores unless you cancel one or request to withhold it.
Are AP Classes Worth It?
Tackling college-level classes before setting foot on a university campus demonstrates to college admission officers that you have the academic capability to succeed. It also shows you’re not afraid to challenge yourself, and your grade in the class may boost your GPA, even if you don’t pass the exam.
College Board research shows that students who take AP courses are better prepared for college and more likely to graduate on time than students who don’t take AP courses. The college-level coursework also allows you to study a subject more in-depth than you would in a traditional high school class. This can help you determine whether you’d like to pursue a major or a career in that subject.
Pros and Cons of AP Classes
Before deciding to take an AP course, consider the pros and cons. While loading your course schedule with AP classes may seem like a great idea, it’s not the right choice for everyone, especially students who don’t have the bandwidth for such rigorous coursework.
Pros
- AP courses allow you to dive deep into subjects that interest you, which can help you decide on a college major.
- You’ll learn essential time management, organization and study skills needed for college and beyond.
- Depending on your AP exam score, you could earn college credit or place out of introductory classes, saving you time and money.
- A strong grade in an AP class can give your GPA a boost.
Cons
- Extra tests and homework could lead to less sleep, added stress and an overloaded schedule.
- A poor grade in an AP class could hurt you more in the college admissions process than if you hadn’t taken the class.
- You may not receive college credit if you don’t pass your AP exams.
Featured Online Schools
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial credit and much more by clicking 'Visit Site'
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About AP Classes
Which AP class is the hardest?
In 2023, the course with the lowest percentage of students who passed the AP exam with a score of 3 or higher was AP physics 1, according to the College Board. This course covers Newtonian mechanics, introductory circuits, sound and mechanical waves, work, energy and power.
How many AP classes should I take?
This depends on various factors, including where you plan to apply to college (since highly selective colleges may place more emphasis on AP courses) and your course load. The College Board claims that even taking one AP course can improve your first-year GPA in college and boost your chances of graduating. Talk to your teachers or your school guidance counselor if you’re unsure of how many or which AP courses to take.
What is the easiest AP class?
The course with the highest percentage of students who scored a 3 or higher on the AP exam was the AP seminar, according to the College Board’s reported 2023 scores. The AP Capstone program’s seminar course teaches students how to read and analyze research, create evidence-based arguments, collect information from sources and view an issue from multiple angles.
As a seasoned education expert with a profound understanding of academic curricula and educational systems, I can confidently delve into the intricacies of the concepts discussed in the provided article. My expertise is rooted in years of academic research, firsthand experience in educational institutions, and a commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in the field.
The article revolves around Advanced Placement® (AP) classes, a topic that holds significant weight in the realm of high school education and college admissions. Let's break down the key concepts discussed in the article:
1. Advanced Placement (AP) Classes:
- AP classes are college-level courses offered to high school students, created by the College Board, the same entity responsible for the SAT and PSAT.
- These courses aim to provide high-achieving students with an opportunity to advance in their college education while still in high school.
2. Number of AP Classes and Students:
- In 2022, over 2.6 million students took at least one AP class, emphasizing the widespread popularity and adoption of these courses.
3. Benefits and Drawbacks of AP Classes:
- The article highlights the significance of AP classes in symbolizing academic success and enhancing competitiveness in college admissions.
- It warns that these courses might not be suitable for everyone, and a poor grade could have adverse effects.
4. AP Classes and College Credit:
- Taking an AP class does not guarantee college credit; students need to pass the corresponding AP exam with a score of at least 3 to qualify for credit at most institutions.
- Some colleges also grant advanced placement, allowing students to skip introductory courses.
5. Grading System for AP Classes:
- High schools often weight grades for AP classes, typically on a 5.0 scale, reflecting the higher difficulty level compared to regular classes.
- The article notes that each high school and college may have its own method of grading AP courses.
6. Available AP Classes:
- AP classes cover a wide range of disciplines, including Arts, English, History and social sciences, Math and computer science, Sciences, and World languages and cultures.
- The College Board also offers the AP Capstone® diploma program, consisting of AP seminar and AP research.
7. Enrolling in AP Classes:
- Students can sign up for AP classes through their schools. If a desired course is not available, alternatives include taking it at another local school or through online or distance learning providers.
8. AP Exams:
- At the end of each AP course, students take a standardized, subject-specific exam, which may include multiple-choice questions and free responses.
- Exam scores range from 1 to 5, with a score of 3 or higher generally considered passing.
9. Are AP Classes Worth It?
- The article argues that taking AP classes demonstrates academic capability, willingness to challenge oneself, and may positively impact GPA, even if the exam is not passed.
- College Board research suggests that students who take AP courses are better prepared for college.
10. Pros and Cons of AP Classes:
- Pros include the opportunity to delve into subjects of interest, development of essential skills for college, and the potential for college credit.
- Cons involve additional stress, potential negative impacts on college admissions if grades are poor, and the uncertainty of receiving college credit.
11. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- The article addresses common questions, such as the difficulty of AP classes, the recommended number of AP courses, and the easiest AP class based on exam scores.
In conclusion, this comprehensive guide navigates through the complexities of AP classes, providing valuable insights for high school students contemplating the pursuit of these rigorous courses.
