Are AP Classes Worth It? The Benefits of AP Classes

Are AP classes worth it? This is a question that high school students across the globe face. Many wonder if there’s an advantage to taking a rigorous course load. In this article from our education learning center, we’ll discuss the benefits of AP classes and how to best balance extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and school work.

Benefits of AP Classes

While many students understand that Advanced Placement (AP) classes have value, they also know they can require more time and effort. Since AP programs explore subject matter at the college level, some students may find it challenging to juggle the additional coursework and their everyday lives. However, it’s important to understand the benefits of taking an AP course.

AP Classes Offer In-Depth Learning

As students begin to work their way through the latter half of their secondary school experience, many begin to discover what they’re passionate about. The College Board, the creator of Advanced Placement classes, offers 38 different AP subjects, which allows students to explore in-depth subject matter that they’re passionate about. Exploring a subject through the lens of the AP program will give students a deep dive into topics they enjoy.

Students Can Experience College-Level Coursework

According to The Princeton Review, AP classes simulate the difficulty level of first-year college courses. By taking an AP class, students begin to acclimate themselves to the workload they will face at the post-secondary level. This can be a real eye-opener for some students, and there is a definite benefit to getting a “sneak peek” at what the future workload in college may look like.

AP Courses Bring a GPA Boost

Perhaps the most tangible benefit to taking an AP course is the grade point average (GPA) boost that comes with it. Each class you take comes with a grade attached to it upon completion. What some students don’t know is that each class also comes with quality points. Quality points are the reason that students sometimes have a grade point average over 4.0. A standard-level class at your school may rank your quality points as follows:

Standard College Preparatory Class GPA and QP

In the example above, we see that a student can earn an “A” in algebra and have a 4.0 calculated for their performance in that class. In an AP class, the quality points are much higher than in a standard class, so the impact on the student’s GPA can be much more dramatic. Look at the example below:

Here, you can see that due to the rigorous nature of AP coursework a grade of “B” is actually factored into the student’s overall GPA as a 4.0, or the same weight as an “A” in a standard class. This weighted GPA system rewards students for taking more difficult AP courses. This can dramatically impact a student’s GPA and, hence, their ability to apply to a wider range of higher-rated colleges.

Costs of Advanced Placement

There are costs to the AP pathway, both the monetary cost to take the tests and the cost of time spent working on more difficult courses. The dollar cost to take an AP test in 2022 ranged from $97 to $127. This cost fluctuates based on where you’re located. That being said, students don’t need to take an AP course to take the AP exams. Many students who attend a school without an AP program can study on their own or take AP booster courses to enhance their chances of scoring well.

AP Exams Cost Money

However, many benefits come with doing well on an AP exam and course, including eligibility for merit-based scholarships. Each year, successful AP students earn scholarships that range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars. Should a student perform well on the AP exam, they can earn college credit in addition to scholarships. Almost every college accepts AP credits earned in high school. This means that you would take fewer courses in college and, of course, not have to pay the college for credits earned during the AP journey.

AP Courses Take More Time

Finally, in terms of the cost of taking the AP class, there’s the investment of time. Performing well in an advanced course requires a time commitment. This may come at the expense of free time or the ability to take a part-time job. However, the long-term benefit of earning a scholarship or college credit can be quantified as far more valuable than any money earned in a part-time job.

According to whattobecome.com, the average scholarship awarded in 2022 to students in the U.S. was about $7,500. While the College Board doesn’t post scholarship statistics for AP students, one can surmise that if the average student earned $7,500, the AP student earned far more. When compared to a part-time job in high school earning minimum wage, the scholarship is a much greater amount.

College Admissions and Advanced Placement

College admissions officers review applications to their schools for a good fit. Keith Gramling, admissions officer at Loyola Marymount, was quoted in U.S. News and World Report that colleges are “looking for students who challenge themselves.” If you’re taking an AP course, one of the most rigorous courses a high school student can take, you’re certainly challenging yourself. However, the goal is to find a balance between taking too many rigorous courses and performing well. So try to strike a good balance when you’re choosing courses.

William Hiss, a retired dean at Bates College in Maine, was positive in his view of students applying to Bates who took AP coursework, stating, “Most deans feel pretty good about AP results since they are based on more of a tight curriculum.” This should underscore the importance of AP programs as a part of your course load.

Key Takeaways

In summary, AP courses can give students a lot to think about. The time, opportunity cost, and commitment that the AP courses demand of secondary students are real factors to consider. However, the long-term benefits of college admission favorability, scholarship potential, and GPA improvement are also real impacts for students seeking college admission.