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- Research shows that students who take AP classes are better prepared for college than students who don’t take AP, regardless of their exam score. They’re more likely to enroll and stay in college, do well in their classes, and graduate in four years.
apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/why-ap-flyer-english.pdfWhy AP? DEVELOP SKILLS THAT WILL HELP YOU SUCCEED NOW AND LATER
People also ask
Are AP courses better than AP exams?
Why do AP students take the AP exam?
Do AP students score better if they don't take AP courses?
Are AP students more likely to go to college?
Do AP Exam scores predict college outcomes?
Do AP students do better in introductory college classes?
Feb 29, 2024 · AP students, including those with average scores of 1 or 2, are more likely to enroll in a 4-year college, compared to academically similar students who didn’t take AP in high school. In introductory college courses, students perform as well as or better than those who didn’t take AP.
Research shows that students who take AP classes are better prepared for college than students who don’t take AP, regardless of their exam score. They’re more likely to enroll and stay in college, do well in their classes, and graduate in four years.
- 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...
Research shows students who take AP courses and exams are more likely than their peers to attend college and graduate on time. Even AP Exam scores of 1 or 2 predict better college outcomes than academically similar college students who didn’t take an AP course and exam.
Jul 23, 2021 · New evidence shows that AP students who earn scores of 2 on their AP Exams have significantly stronger college outcomes than similar students who did not take an AP course and exam.
Research shows that students who take AP are better prepared for—and more likely to—attend college and graduate on time (than academically similar students who don’t take AP). Taking the AP Exam and getting a qualifying score helps students save time and money by earning college credit or advanced placement, which allows them to skip ...
Students who earn a 2 on an AP Exam do significantly better in introductory college classes. Over 90% of college freshman who earned a 2 said they are doing well or very well in college courses that cover similar content.
