Choosing APs to Boost Applications

More than 1.1 million US high school students took AP exams in the class of 2023, that is 34.7% of US high school students!

There are 38 AP courses available to choose from out of 7 categories.

So selecting the right AP is a daunting task for students.

Our today’s newsletter will answer all your questions about AP exams & courses!

Let’s know more about it!

What is Advanced Placement (AP) and why is it important?

AP allows students to take on college-level work in high school and earn college credit and placement.

These AP tests are conducted for two weeks in May 📚

Why are they important?

📌 College Credit: AP scores give you college credit, which means you have to take fewer classes each semester and explore other classes you’re interested in.

📌 College Admissions: Good AP scores help you showcase your academic rigor to the admission officer.

📌 Cost Savings: AP tests can increase college readiness and decrease the number of classes you need to attend in college and subsequently can decrease the cost of tuition.

📌 Time for Internships: AP credits can free up your time which you can use to do internships to get real-world experience.

Now, that you’ve understood what are AP courses and why you should take them, we can move to the main question—How to choose the right AP courses for yourself? 

Choosing the right AP course

Choosing the appropriate AP subject course greatly influences college application and academic performance. Here are key considerations for selecting the right AP courses:

1. Take courses that align with your interests: 

Many students just choose their AP subjects based on what someone else has suggested or whatever their classmate or friend chose. 

But this can be a huge mistake! So, make sure to choose the subjects that you're genuinely interested in or that’ll help in your majors. 

2. Consider your career goals: 

If you have chosen your career goals or the major that you want to pursue in college, then you should always choose APs that will help you in your college academics. 

For example, if you want to do engineering then taking AP courses like AP Precalculus, AP Calculus AB and BC, AP Physics C: Mechanics, and AP Environmental Science, would be the right choice for you. 

You can check more AP course options based on your career choice here.

3. College Credit Policies: 

When choosing a college you need to check for its policies accepting the AP credit. 

You should check AP’s official website, here you’ll find the number of colleges accepting the AP course you want to select and what’s the minimum score requirement for it.

For example, if you’re choosing AP Biology, 2089 colleges are accepting AP Biology, and their minimum AP scores are mentioned respectively.

4. Balance and Manageability: 

Know your capacity to take on the load at any given time. 

Thus, on one hand, it is great to set goals high to achieve personal growth, but on the other hand, it is crucial to keep a healthy working schedule not to get exhausted.

It is advised to take 3-4 AP courses during your high school years.

5. Broaden Narrative: 

AP exams thus contribute to generating a more diverse story and demonstrate interests beyond the core curriculum. Enrolling in courses not offered in the school shows your readiness to learn in various fields and also enriches your portfolio.

6. Consult with Advisors: 

There are professionals in your school whom you can talk to including school counselors, teachers, and academic advisors. 

They can give good information as well as guide you on what to do according to your academic preferences and college desires.

As course selection is done so we’ve to understand the very important topic “How to prepare for the AP exams?” 

Preparing tips for AP exams

The best time to start preparing for the AP test is at the beginning of your high school academic year. 

This way you’ll get ample time to understand the syllabus, find resources, and get the right guidance. 

As with all the exams, good preparation is the key to success. 🔑

Also, you should increase your focus 2-3 months before the AP exams. Here are some tips to consider in your preparation journey: 

📌Understand the Test Structure

Familiarize Yourself with the Format: Each AP exam commonly includes multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and free-response questions (FRQs). 

Awareness of the format will assist you to keep track of time when you take the test.

📌 Practice with Past Papers

This way you will be in a position to know what to expect especially when you reread from the previous exams. 

You can consider books from The Princeton Review for past papers and practice papers.

📌 Learn from resources like Khan Academy & Advanced Placement YouTube Channel. 

It is advisable to follow sites, like Khan Academy, and AP Daily resources to reinforce your learning. 

Make sure to check daily videos on AP's official YouTube channel for expert guidance related to your AP courses.

📌 Invest in AP prep books

Prepare for AP tests from books like Barron’s and 5 Steps to a 5. These books are highly recommended for comprehensive coverage of AP subjects. 

You can use these strategies in the books to solve various questions and maximize your time during the examination.

📌 Seek Help When Needed

APs are challenging and need dedicated 6 months for focused efforts.

Our AP tutors are fantastic at helping students prep for AP tests. Whether you need comprehensive prep or a boost in a few areas, we’re here to help!

Are you looking for help with your AP exams? Check out our AP courses here. 

Crucial Updates for AP Exams 2024-25

From May 2025, 28 AP exams will move online to the Bluebook testing application. This means that for 28 AP exams, paper testing will be discontinued.

2025 AP will happen in two weeks, starting from May 5, and will continue till May 16. You can check the complete schedule here.

FAQs

What AP classes look best for college?

Colleges value AP courses that show student’s ability to handle the challenging college course curriculum. AP subjects in the core interest areas of students are valued more. 

At which grade should I start taking APs? 

Usually, you should start taking AP courses from class 11th. Many students start with AP subjects from 10th standard only, this approach gives them ample time and makes it easy to add 3-4 AP subjects in their application. 

Can I retake an AP exam if I don’t get a passing score?

Yes, but you have to wait until the next exam period the following year to do so. Also, all scores are reported for every test taken.

How are AP exams scored?

AP exams are scored from 1-5, with 5 being the highest score. The total score is a weighted combination of these sections.

Amol & Nishant,

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We have worked with thousands of students over the past 7 years. This newsletter captures the essence of our insights to simplify the college readiness journey.

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