If you go to an Information Session at any top-tier university, you’re likely to hear some visiting high school student ask, “Is it better to get a B in an AP class or an A in a regular class?” Almost without fail, the Admissions representative’s response will be, “It’s better to get an A in an AP class” (helpful, we know). Taking AP classes is preferable because the coursework is more demanding, which teaches you time management, study skills, and analytical techniques that you will use in higher education.
While standardized tests, extracurricular activities, and admissions essays play influential roles in college admissions, more than 50% of a college’s decision still comes down to a student’s transcript. Admissions officers not only look at your GPA, but also at the rigor of your coursework. Taking AP classes demonstrates to colleges that you are eager to challenge yourself and are not afraid of college-level material or workloads. Remember, in their eyes, doing well in standard high school-level classes doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be ready for the challenge and pace of college-level courses; taking and excelling in advanced classes is the best way to prove that you are. Strong performance in APs can also boost your GPA, since most high schools give additional points for advanced coursework.
It is worth noting that not every school offers AP courses, and if your school doesn’t, no need to fret – admissions officers know your school’s course offerings and will not hold it against you when they assess your application. But if your high school does offer them and you don’t choose to take them, admissions officers will wonder why you chose the easy road when the more challenging one was wide open to you.
This is why, each year when spring rolls around, high school students everywhere crack open their cram books, pour over their class notes, and prepare to sit for their AP exams during two weeks in May. It’s definitely stressful after a year of rigorous assignments and classes, but it’s worth the effort to study for and take the exams.
Strong AP scores tell colleges that you truly learned the material in your respective advanced classes, and they can also count for course credit once you get to college. Walking into freshman year with course credit gives you the opportunity to do one, if not all, of the following:
- Focus on the classes you WANT to take
- Take a lighter course load during challenging quarters/semesters
- Double major or add a minor (since you now have more room in your schedule)
- Graduate early!
Whether a school uses your scores for placement out of certain introductory-level classes, like Math and Writing, or they offer college credit for the subjects that you scored well on, the AP exams may decrease the credit or course requirements to fulfill. While the policies differ at each college, the College Board allows you to search for credit policies of each AP class that you take here.
AP exam scores are also important because of grade inflation. A college may not know whether your high school teacher grades easier than most or is more forgiving when assessing your work (leading to higher grades than peers at other schools), but if you get a 4 or a 5 on an AP exam, it demonstrates your mastery of the subject, since the test is standardized, and if you got an A in the class, it validates that performance.
Another reason that AP exam scores are a valuable part of the application process is given the test-optional/test-blind policies that some schools have permanently or temporarily adopted, AP exams fill the void left by SATs and ACTS in assessing a student’s suitability for admission. This means that the AP exams now have more weight in the admissions process, as it’s one of only a few metrics that colleges have when making admissions decisions. (And if you’re interested in applying to UK schools, APs are often required as part of their admissions process.
To be successful on these exams, you should be taking practice exams in your AP class, which will give you a solid understanding of your preparedness. If not, we are always happy to recommend books and online sources for practice tests, but your teacher should be providing these on a fairly regular basis.
If you find yourself struggling in a course, don’t wait until you’ve dug yourself a hole that you can’t get out of before asking for help. Great tutors can not only help you gain a deeper understanding of the material presented at school, but they can also teach you effective study habits and organizational skills while preparing you for upcoming assignments and tests.
So, if you’re wavering between taking AP classes or not, really ask yourself what you’re capable of committing to and what your goals are in your college application process – no one wants you to burn out, but we do want you to challenge yourself instead of skating through easier classes. Are you able to put in the time and work to succeed in the classes and on the tests, and are they subjects that you enjoy and/or do well in? Then take the AP classes. Is one of them something that you’re considering majoring in? Then take the AP class. Do you have aspirations of getting into selective colleges and universities? You know what we’re gonna say: take the AP classes. And definitely take their corresponding exams! You’ve worked all year to learn the material – what’s a few more hours spent answering some multiple-choice and free-response questions?
