AP classes: are they worth it?
BY TRESA ERICKSON

Are you a high school junior or senior planning to go to college? Would you like to bypass some of the general education requirements and have a lighter class load and perhaps even a lower tuition bill? Yeah? Well, then taking advanced placement (AP) classes may be for you.

Overseen by the College Board, the AP program consists of 34 classes in 19 subject areas. Each class is taught at the college level, with advanced content, heavier reading and strict deadlines. At the end of each class, students pay a fee to take an exam. Administered in May, the exams are graded on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best. Each college or university determines if they will accept AP credit and the score needed on the exams to qualify the classes for credit. Generally, students will receive college credit for the class if they score a 3 or more on the exam.

The benefits of AP classes are numerous. Because they are taught at the college level, AP classes can prepare students for the coursework that lies ahead of them at the college or university they have chosen to attend. They won't be surprised by the amount of work involved in a college class. By testing out of some college classes, students will be free to pursue more electives or enjoy the perks of having a lighter course load. With fewer classes, students will have a lower tuition bill and more free time, which they can use to study, work or volunteer. For students looking to obtain an advanced degree that requires a lot of coursework, AP classes may be ideal. With several classes out of the way, students can focus on the classes they have left and hopefully perform better and graduate faster.

While there are many benefits to AP classes, there are also some drawbacks. AP classes entail more work, and depending upon the subject, can be quite time consuming. High school students who already have a heavy load of classes and extracurricular activities may not have the time for them. Some colleges and universities will not accept AP credit and not every high school is equipped to offer AP classes. Small high schools often do not have the money or the resources to teach AP classes.

In spite of their drawbacks, many students find that taking AP classes is worth it when they enroll in a college or university that accepts AP credit and discover that they have already met many of the general education requirements. For them, getting a head start on college means getting a head start on life.