7 Benefits of AP

What are the benefits of AP?

AP courses can be used to earn scholarships, college credit, and placement, and demonstrate academic rigor. Taking AP classes and exams can help students get ahead in high school and college. In 2023, 420,000 students took over 840,000 AP exams at 1,023 schools.

The key benefits of AP are:

#Benefit 1:

Develop the skills and confidence you need to succeed in college and your future career.

AP courses challenge students academically and help them develop essential skills for college and beyond, such as time management, study skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving. AP courses also help students learn how to manage their workload effectively and meet deadlines.

#Benefit 2:

Impress colleges with your academic rigor

Colleges value AP courses because they demonstrate that students are serious about their education and are willing to challenge themselves with rigorous coursework. A study of selective colleges and universities found that 85% of them report that a student’s AP experience favorably impacts admission decisions.

#Benefit 3:

Set yourself up for success in college

Research shows that students who take AP courses and exams are more likely to succeed in college. AP classrooms typically have higher GPAs and are more likely to graduate on time than non-AP peers.

#Benefit 4:

Save time and money by earning college credit in high school

Students who earn college credit through AP courses can save time and money in college. By skipping introductory courses, students can graduate early or take more advanced courses in their chosen field.

#Benefit 5:

Discover your academic passions and strengths

AP courses allow students to explore different academic interests and discover their strengths and weaknesses. This can help students make informed decisions about their college major and future careers.

#Benefit 6:

Qualify for merit-based scholarships and grants

AP classes can help students raise their GPA, which can make them eligible for merit-based scholarships and grants. Many scholarships also award funds based on a student’s GPA or AP scores.

#Benefit 7:

Help students develop their research and writing skills.

AP courses are designed to be rigorous and challenging, and they require students to think critically and to write effectively. For example, in AP English Literature and Composition, students are required to write several analytical essays and a research paper. In AP Calculus, students are required to write proofs and solve complex problems.

Summary

In addition, AP courses also offer specific benefits depending on the subject area. For example, AP Calculus can help students develop the math skills they need to pursue careers in engineering or science and AP Computer Science can help students develop the coding skills they need to pursue careers in technology.