Advanced Placement (AP) classes have become increasingly popular, with millions of students enrolling each year. These classes offer high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses across a wide range of subjects. If you’re prepared to embrace a rigorous academic curriculum and earn some college credits before graduation, AP classes could be an excellent choice for you.
However, planning your high school schedule around Advanced Placement classes can feel like a puzzle. Which classes are offered at your school? And how many should you take? While there isn’t a single approach that works for everyone, deciding which AP classes to take starts with considering your academic strengths, interests, and future goals.
What Are AP Classes?
AP classes are college-level courses offered in a high school setting. They are designed to move faster than standard courses, providing you with a challenging academic experience. These classes allow you to get familiar with college-level work and boost your GPA, as many schools give extra weight to AP classes in their GPA calculations.
At the end of each AP course, you will take a standardized AP exam that consists of multiple-choice and free-response questions. Scores range from 1 to 5, with many colleges granting credit for scores of 3 or higher. Regardless of what you score on the exam, AP classes can better prepare you for college, developing your academic skills and work habits.
How Many AP Courses Are There?
Advanced Placement courses are offered at over 60% of high schools and fall into seven subject categories. Which AP classes offered at schools will vary so it is important that you check with your counselor to see which courses are available for you to take. You can find classes within the subjects of:
- AP Capstone
- Arts
- English
- History and Social Sciences
- Math and Computer Science
- Sciences
- World Languages and Culture
Why Should I Take an AP Class?
There are many benefits to taking an AP class or two:
- College Readiness: AP courses can familiarize you with college-level coursework and help you develop the necessary habits and skills that you’ll need for college.
- Standing Out On College Applications: Colleges value students who are committed to their academics. Taking Advanced Placement classes can not only strengthen your transcript but also show admission officers that you can go above and beyond to challenge yourself, setting you apart from other applicants.
- Earning College Credit and Placement: This is one of the main incentives for taking AP classes, as you have the opportunity to earn college credit and potentially skip introductory college courses. Most four-year colleges in the United States offer credit, placement, or both for qualifying AP exam scores.
- Saving Time and Money: Passing an AP class can save you time and money by fulfilling college requirements, allowing you to start major-specific classes sooner.
Choosing the Right AP Classes
While AP courses are available to all students, they’re not necessarily the right choice for everyone. Challenging yourself is important, but avoid overwhelming your schedule. Taking AP classes is about quality, not quantity. When planning your school year, focus on making thoughtful choices by considering these factors:
- Your Workload: Think about how much time you have for schoolwork and extracurricular activities to avoid over-committing. AP classes typically require more challenging coursework so it’s important to have a good balance between classes and personal time.
- Your Interests: Pick AP classes that you find interesting and exciting. It’s easier to do well in a class when you like what you’re learning about.
- Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Understanding your capabilities can help in your selection of AP courses. They can be tough, so consider what subjects you’re good at and which ones you might need some extra help with before signing up.
- Your Future Academic Goals: What do you want to do post-high school? Courses that offer credit or advanced placement might be worth taking if they align with your academic or career plans.
- Your Stress Management: Be mindful of the potential stress that can come with AP classes, especially during exam periods. Before enrolling, make sure that you’re prepared by establishing strategies to help you manage the pressure when it gets tough.
- Course Reputation and Peer Feedback: Talk to other students who have taken AP classes to get an idea of the course expectations and workload. Their experiences can help you decide which classes are the best fit for you.
When Should I Take AP Classes?
Most students begin taking Advanced Placement classes in their junior year of high school since they have built a solid academic foundation and are better equipped to handle the coursework. Though it is not recommended for freshman students to take AP classes, there are some cases where it is acceptable.
How Many AP Classes Should I Take?
There is no exact answer for this, as it will depend on varying factors, like your workload, what you can handle, and what is necessary for you to take. Generally, this is normal number of AP classes that students can expect to handle:
- Freshman Year: 0-2
- Sophomore Year: 1-3
- Junior Year: 3-5
- Senior Year: 4-6
Succeeding in Advanced Placement Classes
AP courses are more challenging, but you can succeed with the right strategies set in place. Here are some quick tips:
- Stay organized by using a planner to keep track of assignments and deadlines.
- Use time management strategies such as the Pomodoro method or time blocking.
- Do not hesitate to ask your teachers questions or seek help from classmates or a tutor.
- Study throughout the year by regularly reviewing class material and notes.
- Take advantage of AP practice tests and online resources to help you prepare for the exams.
If you are ready to challenge yourself academically, then AP classes might be a great choice for you. They can help you prep for college, stand out on your college applications, and even earn you college credit. Remember, you know yourself better than anyone else and only you can decide whether or not an AP class is right for you.
If you’re starting to think about which schools to apply to, College Raptor has a FREE, helpful tool that matches you with schools based on your AP scores, test scores, major, and location!
