Advanced placements(AP) classes are college-level courses taught by teachers in various subjects with a standardized nationwide curriculum for an opportunity to earn college credits. Kingsway offers over 25 AP classes, including AP Psychology and AP World History. AP courses have a series of benefits that most students are unaware of.
Every student has an opportunity to take the AP exam in May of each year for each respective course they wish to take. Students do not need to take an AP class to take an AP exam, although it is highly recommended. Students need to register for each AP exam the fall before they intend to take the exam. Each exam currently costs around $100, but financial aid may be available in certain cases.
If one takes an AP exam, that AP score may earn college credit. Exams are scored on a scale from 1 to 5. It takes a 3 to pass, but each college is personalized in determining which AP courses they offer credit for and the minimum score one needs to get credit for the course. Students should consult the AP credit charts for each college they are considering. Note that earning college credit is not a guarantee. The vast majority of colleges require at least a score of 3 to award credit. For example, the College of New Jersey awards one general elective credit for a score of 3 on the English Language/Composition exam, one credit in an introductory English course for a score of 4, and one credit in an upper level English course for a score of 5. However, to receive any credit for the AP French exam, a student would have to score a 5. Generally speaking, the more selective a college is, the more stringent its requirements for awarding credit for AP exams. In contrast to the College of New Jersey, Villanova University does not award any credit for AP exam scores under 4 and the University of Pennsylvania requires a score of 5 for most AP exams.
Earning college credit with AP exams can give students the flexibility to change majors, pursue a second degree, study abroad, or seek internships. In some cases, credit for AP exams can even enable a student to graduate early, potentially saving thousands of dollars.
Even if no credit is awarded, AP scores can also determine placement in classes taken in college. For example, Harvard University does not award credit for any AP exams regardless of scores but a student’s AP exam score can determine what level of course they are enrolled in.
The College Board also awards special recognition honors for some exam scores. Some of these include the AP Scholar Recognition, which is granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams, and the AP Scholar with Honor Recognition, which is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and score a 3 or higher on four or more AP exams. There is also the AP Scholar with Distinction Recognition, which is granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken and score a 3 or higher on five or more AP exams. These AP recognition awards can be listed in your college application as long as they are earned prior to the submission of the application during Senior year.
Grades in AP courses are also “weighted” for purposes of calculating a student’s GPA for determining graduation honors and membership in the National Honor Society. For example, an A in an AP course is equivalent to a 5.0, but an A in a college prep class is a 4.0. Students with a weighted GPA of between 3.5 and 3.69 graduate “Cum Laude.” Students with a weighted GPA of between 3.7 and 3.89 graduate “Magna Cum Laude.” Students with a weighted GPA of 3.9 and over graduate “Summa Cum Laude.” Membership in the National Honor Society requires a minimum weighted GPA of 3.7. Whether colleges consider a student’s weighted or unweighted GPA in making college admissions decisions varies, but even those colleges that consider a student’s unweighted GPA give an advantage to students taking AP classes.
Even if a student decides not to take the AP exam or decides not to report their AP scores, high school transcripts shows that an AP class was taken. This, combined with a stronger GPA and honors, shows colleges traits suitable for their universities, such as being motivated to succeed and ready to take college courses. Even if one does not receive college credit for a course, it will better prepare students to take the course in college.
AP courses offer many benefits to students, but it is important to weigh those benefits with the increased difficulty and workload and the financial expense of taking the AP exams. If one feels, they can handle the increased workload, AP courses are a great way for students to prepare for college and improve their college applications.