Advanced Placement (AP) classes offer high school students a unique opportunity to challenge themselves academically, develop college-level skills, and stand out in the competitive college admissions process. However, before diving into these rigorous courses, it’s crucial for both students and parents to understand what AP classes entail, their potential benefits, and the level of commitment required to succeed. In this blog, we’ll explore what you need to know about AP classes and whether they’re the right fit for your student.
What is an AP Class?
As the title (Advanced Placement) suggests, AP classes go above the standard high school curriculum to introduce more sophisticated and complex content. These classes support students in college preparation by introducing college level analytical and study skills,beyond what they would experience in their traditional classes.
AP classes are weighted differently than standard classes, meaning that performing well in an AP class could lead to a GPA over 4.0. Students who achieve GPAs higher than 4.0 set themselves apart from other applicants and their choice to sign up for an AP class demonstrates their commitment to academic achievement.
How Hard are AP Classes
Succeeding in an AP class takes considerable time and effort given the complex material and rigorous standards. Students will need to study consistently to perform well on in-class assignments and tests, as well as prepare for the cumulative exam. Students will be expected to be more independent and accountable for their studying in an AP class, so they should anticipate making their own study guides and compiling, organizing, and reviewing their notes on a weekly basis.
AP Classes Ranked By Difficulty
The College Board, which oversees AP curricula and exams, reports that the following AP exams have pass rates of less than 60% 😱 (scores below 3):
- AP Calculus AB
- AP Chemistry
- AP Economics—Macro
- AP Economics—Micro
- AP English Language
- AP Environmental Science
- AP European History
- AP Government & Politics United States
- AP Human Geography
- AP Latin
- AP Physics 1
- AP Psychology
- AP United States History
AP classes will differ in difficulty based on which subjects your child finds intuitive and which ones they find more challenging. For instance, if your child has relative ease in the Language Arts, they may find AP English or History more accessible, whereas they may struggle with an AP Math or Science course.
We recommend trying an AP class that resides in your child’s wheelhouse rather than a subject that they tend to struggle with.
College Credit Eligibility
AP classes culminate in an exam that students must pass in order to be eligible to submit their AP classes for potential college credit. Students who receive a 4 or a 5 on the AP exam can submit their AP class credits to their college once accepted to see if they can receive college credit and/or skip certain general education requirements for their participation in AP classes. Students can look up their eligibility here. In this regard, AP classes not only provide students with college level academic skills, but also help them start college ahead of their peers.
Are AP Classes Worth It?
AP classes set students up for success in college and also make their applications stand out, so these classes can be extremely beneficial for students who are looking to bulk up their resume for the college application process. However, AP classes can be quite challenging and performing poorly will negatively affect your child’s GPA. It’s important to look a variety of factors before signing your child up for an AP class:
- The amount of time needed for extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, etc.)
- The difficulty of other classes your child may enroll in
- Your child’s overall academic skills and motivation
If your child needs to devote a considerable amount of time to extracurricular activities, is enrolled in other classes that will be challenging/time consuming for them, or struggles with academics and/or motivation, AP classes may not be for them. Your child can still create an impressive resume for college applications by doing the best they can in their standard courses and keeping up with the other commitments they have that will also help them stand out on their application.
How La Jolla Learning Can Help!
Since students should go above and beyond in their study habits, it can be helpful for them to have guidance as they develop and expand on their study strategies. La Jolla Learning offers an assessment called MindPrint that provides custom recommendations for strategies and tips students can use based on their specific learning style. La Jolla Learning instructors can support students in becoming familiar with the specific study approaches that work for them and coach them to be more independent in the study process.
