The advantages of taking AP classes and exams | College Bound (2024)

The advantages of taking AP classes and exams | College Bound (1)

2015

Is your student planning to take any AP classes or exams in high school? It may prove beneficial — consider thesetop four reasons students should add a couple AP classes to their schedules.

1. To prepare for college

AP courses are usually comparable to first-year college courses, so your student will be prepared for the workload and develop college-level academic skills. And having AP classes on their transcript will show universities that your student has experience with the academic rigor of college classes, which looks good on their college applications.

2. To boost their GPA

Because AP classes are more rigorous, they’re often weighted more in a student’s GPA. Many high schools give more weight to AP classes, so earning an “A” or “B” in an AP class will bring your student’s GPA up more than an “A” or “B” in a regular class would.

3. To save time and money in college

If your student chooses to take the AP exams for their AP classes, they could earn college credit. AP exams are held every May, and they are graded on a scale of 1 through 5. Get all the details about the AP Exam scheduleonline. Depending on the course and the college, if a student earns a 4 or 5 on their test, it can count toward their college credits. That means your student would be able to get ahead on first-year requirements and potentially graduate early, or have room in their schedule to add a second major or minor.

Please note that students can take AP exams even if they haven’t taken an AP class at their school. If your student wants to take the AP exam and their school doesn’t offer the corresponding class, they can study for the exam and prep on their own.

4. To receive merit-based financial aid

As mentioned above, AP classes can help students raise their GPA. Many colleges offer merit-based scholarships and grants for students based on their GPA, so taking an AP class could get your student closer to qualifying for these financial aid awards.

In addition, many scholarships award funds based on a student’s GPA or specific classes taken. For example, RaiseMe is a program that several colleges partner with that enables students to earn micro-scholarships in high school for doing things like taking challenging classes. Look into whether or not any of the schools on your student’s list partner with RaiseMe.

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FAQs

The advantages of taking AP classes and exams | College Bound? ›

Taking AP exams

AP exams
Advanced Placement (AP) examinations are exams offered in United States by the College Board and are taken each May by students. The tests are the culmination of year-long Advanced Placement (AP) courses, which are typically offered at the high school level.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Advanced_Placement_exams
can help you develop college-level academic skills and strong study habits, which will serve you well throughout your college career. In addition, the rigorous nature of AP courses and exams can improve your time-management skills, making you better equipped to handle the demands of college life.

What are the advantages of AP classes? ›

Because AP classes are more rigorous, they're often weighted more in a student's GPA. Many high schools give more weight to AP classes, so earning an “A” or “B” in an AP class will bring your student's GPA up more than an “A” or “B” in a regular class would.

What are the benefits of self studying AP exams? ›

As opposed to just taking an AP class through your high school, self-studying lets you study whatever subject interests you most, allows you to structure the learning around your schedule, and can be impressive to college admissions. Related: Honors vs AP Courses: What is the difference?

What happens if you don t answer all the questions on an AP exam? ›

Total scores on the multiple-choice section are based on the number of questions answered correctly. Points are not deducted for incorrect answers and no points are awarded for unanswered questions.

Is it good to take an AP exam without taking the class? ›

Taking the exam without the class may make sense if any of the following situations apply to you: You are home-schooled. Your school does not offer the course, but you have a high-level understanding of the content.

What is probably the most important benefit of taking an AP course? ›

College Readiness: AP classes are designed to be more rigorous and challenging than regular high school courses. Taking AP classes can help students develop the skills they need to succeed in college, including critical thinking, time management, and study skills.

Are AP classes worth taking? ›

If you're a young high school student making your way towards college, you may have heard about AP classes and you might just be how they can help you excel in your academic career. In turn, you may be asking yourself “what exactly are AP classes?” Or “are AP classes really worth it?” The simple answer is yes.

Why do AP exams matter? ›

Particularly high AP scores (i.e., 5s in various subjects) may be helpful for very selective institutions where every bit of edge to differentiate you from other elite students can count. Similarly, low AP scores (i.e., 1 or 2) can be a red flag to selective institutions.

Do AP exams save money? ›

While AP courses can potentially help you graduate early and save some money in college, the true benefit of the AP Program is to boost students' GPAs, expose students to rigorous content, earn college credit before taking a course in college, and demonstrate a student's knowledge and willingness to be challenged to ...

Are AP exams really important? ›

Colleges utilize AP Exam scores for more than just admissions purposes, however. High scores on these exams can help students earn course credit at some schools. At others, they're used as a method of placement in order to exempt students from lower-level prerequisites.

Can I get a 0 on an AP exam? ›

Simply leaving an exam blank or providing incorrect answers would usually result in a score of 1, not 0. If you follow the testing rules and attempt to answer the questions, you shouldn't need to worry about receiving a 0. Best of luck on your AP exams!

How bad is a 1 on an AP exam? ›

In fact, on the AP® rubric, a 1 is described as “no recommendation”. Because of that, no college in the United States of overseas will accept an AP® score of 1 and give you college credit.

Is a 3 a bad AP score? ›

But what is a passing AP score? The College Board considers a score of 3 or higher a passing grade. That said, some colleges require a 4 or 5 to award credit. Whether a 3 is a good AP score depends on the colleges you're applying to.

Do colleges care if you don't take AP classes? ›

While experts say AP courses are viewed favorably by admissions officers, Brennan Barnard, director of college counseling at Khan Lab School, a private K-12 school in California, notes colleges will consider a students' applications in the context of the curriculum offered at their high school, meaning applicants won't ...

What happens if you take an AP class but not the exam? ›

While we recommend taking the AP Exam after taking an AP course, it is not required by College Board. However, some schools require that students taking an AP class take the exam. Talk to your AP coordinator or teacher to find out what your school's policy is.

What are the disadvantages of AP classes? ›

One drawback of taking AP classes is that to take the exam and potentially earn college credit, students have to pay $98 per exam. Some people don't even pass the exam. These classes are also much harder than regular classes, as they are college level courses.

Why should I join an AP class? ›

Demonstrate College Readiness

An AP course holds its students to a higher standard, which means by taking one of these rigorous classes, you're already conveying to colleges that you care about your education. That doesn't mean you should take just any AP class; be strategic about it!

Do AP students do better in college? ›

For example, AP STEM exam takers take 19% more higher-level courses within their AP subject in their first year of college. Overall, students who took an AP STEM exam had a 13% higher probability of STEM major completion than matched non-AP STEM peers.

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