Of course, not all students would benefit from taking AP courses. That said, students who should take AP courses are, first and foremost, those with a desire to challenge themselves academically.
Beyond the academic challenge, taking AP courses offers students a variety of advantages that can open a long list of opportunities—especially for those who go on to take and pass the national AP exams.
Here are just some of the reasons why students who feel motivated to take AP courses should consider doing so:
To demonstrate their commitment to academic excellence. Taking challenging courses helps students demonstrate to college admissions officers** their commitment to academic excellence as well as their commitment to the subjects taken. AP courses are college-level classes, and performing well in them helps prove the student is capable of the rigorous academic demands of college.
To improve scores on college entrance exams. Studying for AP exams is great preparation for earning higher scores on SAT and ACT exams. Students develop critical-thinking, deep analytical, reading, and writing skills important to achieving higher standardized test scores.
To add weight to GPAs. In the typical grading method, an “A” earns four points. However, an “A” in an AP course often earns five points instead. As a result, students can achieve GPAs higher than a 4.0. Of course, grading scales are determined by individual schools so students should always check with school advisors in advance for confirmation.
To save money on college tuition. Students who take and pass AP exams can earn early college credit at many colleges and universities, often bypassing at least some of the requisite first-year college classes. This can save money and time for college-bound students, allowing them to lighten their college load, take extra courses, or even graduate early.