How important is taking AP classes?

Research shows that students who receive a score of 3 or higher on AP Exams typically experience greater academic success in college and have higher graduation rates than their non-AP peers. 3 out of 4 AP students enrolled in a four-year college start school with some AP credit.

Is it OK to not take AP classes?

I can understand why you might be concerned, but the good news is that not taking AP classes doesn't necessarily mean you won't get into a good college. Admissions officers look at the whole picture, meaning your GPA, extracurriculars, and other factors play important roles in determining your acceptance.

Are AP classes really worth it?

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.

Is there a point in taking AP classes?

AP classes allow high school students to take more rigorous courses. Additionally, if they score well on the accompanying AP test, they can earn college credit and/or bypass some general education requirements once they enroll in college.

Do colleges care about what AP classes you take?

They're looking to see that you took a challenging course load based on what your school offers. So if your school only has two AP classes, and you took both, that's great! If your school has twenty AP classes and you only took two, you may need a few more APs for a highly selective school.

Ranking All 38 AP Classes by Difficulty (Tier List)

Is 2 AP classes enough junior year?

Junior Year

Depending on what kind of school you want to go to, you should be taking between 3 and 5 AP® classes this year. You will need to manage your time well, however, as you also need to study for the SAT® or ACT® during this time.

What is the easiest AP class?

What is the hardest AP class?

United States History, Biology, English Literature, Calculus BC, Physics C, and Chemistry are often named as the hardest AP classes and tests. These classes have large curriculums, tough tests, and conceptually difficult material.

What are the cons of taking AP classes in high school?

What percent of students take an AP class?

Now, with AP courses in dozens of subjects, nearly 23,000 high schools offer at least one AP course, with about 35% of recent high school graduates taking at least one AP course.

Why AP classes aren't worth it?

AP classes tend to be smaller, require extra training for teachers, and require extra support for students. Wealthier schools have much more ability to put all of this in place, and therefore their students will do better in the courses. AP programs without the proper resources may set students up to fail.

Can you still get into a good college without AP classes?

Absolutely, you can still get into a good college even if you haven't taken any AP classes. Colleges understand that not all high schools offer the same opportunities, and they'll take that into account when evaluating your application.

Do AP classes really save money?

If you score a 4 or higher on an AP exam, many colleges will give you credit for the corresponding college course. This means that you can skip taking the introductory course in college, which can save you a significant amount of money.

Can you get into Ivy without AP?

It is still a possibility to get into an Ivy League without APs, but it would mean that your extracurriculars, essays, and your grades in school should be well built.

Is a B in an AP class good?

AP classes are designed to be much more challenging than grade-level classes, and a "B" in an AP class is typically equivalent to an "A" in a grade-level class.

How much AP classes is too much?

College counselors recommend that students strive to take 5-8 AP classes throughout their high school career, especially if they are interested in attending a highly-selective institution such as an Ivy League college. That said, you shouldn't feel pressured to take more AP classes than you can comfortably manage.

Why is taking too many AP classes bad?

However, you might be wondering, "just how many AP classes should I take?" You can save a lot of money and make your transcript pretty impressive with lots of AP classes. However, if you overdo it, you could actually hurt your GPA and lose time for other important activities—like extracurriculars and ACT/SAT studying.

How many AP classes should I take?

Junior year

This is when you should start taking your AP core classes. Take three to five if you are aiming for a highly selective school, and two to four if you are aiming elsewhere. Note that many students describe this year as significantly harder than past ones.

What is the most failed AP exam?

At many high schools, AP Physics is notorious for its difficulty level. In addition, it has the lowest overall pass rate of any AP exam.

What is the least popular AP class?

Many of the least popular AP exams are world language tests, as these exams generally target a more niche group of students. What's more, some languages are less commonly taught at high schools than others (e.g., Japanese and Italian courses are rarer than Spanish courses).

Is 3 AP classes too much?

In addition, ensure you devote enough time to studying for the SAT or ACT this year. For example, if you are hoping for an Ivy League, you will need to take 3-5 AP classes. On the other hand, taking 2-4 APs would be enough if you are aiming for less-competitive schools.

What AP classes are most impressive to colleges?

How many AP classes should I take for the first time?

Instead, students typically start by taking 1-3 AP classes during their sophomore year, beginning with some of the less demanding courses. They may then pick up the pace during their junior year, enrolling in more challenging options. These courses can enhance your transcript and boost your GPA.

Is 8 AP classes enough?

To be competitive at some of the most highly selective colleges in the country, 8-12 AP courses may be the sweet spot amount, assuming the student can handle that level of rigor. There are no colleges out there that require you to take 14, 17, or some other obscene number of Advanced Placement offerings.