To AP or Not to AP?

With some schools abandoning AP classes and others still requiring them, we wanted to help you understand: Are AP exams still worth it?

1. Are you in an AP Class?

Many competitive high schools still have AP classes, in which case a student’s AP score is expected, kind of like the exclamation point at the end of a sentence! If you’re in an AP class, admissions officers expect to see an accompanying AP score (4s and 5s only please!). If you’re taking AP courses, you’re already getting ready for AP exams, but we are here for extra full-length practice and pointers.

2. Are you in a challenging, niche elective?

So many of the upper-division electives taught at independent schools are rigorous and super impressive, even though they may not technically be labeled as AP classes. Taking an AP exam that corresponds to one of these courses can add some sparkle to students’ academic resumes by demonstrating expertise beyond their letter grade and translating their depth of knowledge to college admissions officers who may not be familiar with their school’s coursework.

3. Are you applying abroad?

APs may not be an admissions requirement in the U.S., but Oxford requires a score of 5 on at least three AP exams and Cambridge requires students to submit five AP exam scores for admission. Taking AP exams allows our kids to keep their options open.

4. Do you want to place out of cumbersome college requirements?

Taking AP exams in high school can allow students to get out of those boring 101 classes (which, let’s face it, will probably feel like review anyway) and into higher level classes where they can explore things they’re actually passionate about! You can use this handy search tool from the College Board to see colleges and universities—including Ivy League schools—that accept AP credit for scores of 4s and 5s, subject by subject.

5. Do you want to stand out on applications?

According to data collected by the College Board, 85% of colleges and universities report that AP scores favorably impact their admissions decisions. We don’t think more is better when it comes to testing, but we do think students poised for easy success on APs benefit from showing high scores.

Still deciding whether to AP or not to AP? With AP exams coming up in May, March is the ideal time to take a diagnostic and get a sense of which test is right for you.