The Advanced Placement (AP) program was designed by the CollegeBoard for high school students to enroll in these advanced courses & prepare for higher-level efficiency. Generally, how many AP classes to take is the biggest question about the program. Read ahead to make an informed choice for your career goals.
The AP courses are considered college-level entrance examinations that you can appear for during your high school years. Furthermore, if you pass the corresponding AP exam, candidates receive college credit for the course.
The idea for Advanced Placement courses emerged in the mid-1950s in response to a growing gap between secondary education (high school) and higher education. In 1952, 11 disciplines were offered as part of a pilot program; nevertheless, the College Board Advanced Placement Program did not begin until the 1956-1957 academic year.
Over the years, this initiative’s reach & popularity grew significantly. Approximately 2.8 million students worldwide sit for AP exams each year, spanning 38 different disciplines. Students are also far more likely to enroll in more than one Advanced Placement course during their time in high school.
As Ignite Training Institute offers full academic support for Advanced Placements, find out the ideal number of AP classes you must take going forward.
Table of Contents
What Are Advanced Placements?
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are equivalent to first-year college courses that are administered & taught at the high school level. It is highly standardized and overseen by the CollegeBoard which is also a UN’s non-profit organization. There are a total of 38 AP tests available for students around the world, including topics as diverse as psychology, art, humanities, science, mathematics, history, and languages.
As AP courses aim to better prepare students for higher education levels. Compared to regular classes, AP programs are unique since they are meant to prepare students for a springtime standardized test & earn credits for college. The exams are governed by the CollegeBoard to manifest that the students are ready for college-level competency.
Related: The Difficulty of AP Exams & Classes: What to Expect
How Many AP Classes To Take For Admissions In Top Universities?
Students achieving an AP score beyond 3 have the foundational skills necessary to earn the college credits for admission to top universities. They can take as many Advanced Placement (AP) classes and exams as they can, but the exact number also depends on their goals & their aspiring university. Ideally, candidates should ‘pursue at least five college-level courses’ during high school, according to a study by UNC-Chapel Hill admissions officials published in 2013. However, it is important to keep in mind that acceptance rates have decreased significantly and competition is fiercer than ever since the study was published.
The decision of choosing the ideal number of AP classes should also depend on a student’s ability to acknowledge the overburden in their schedule. It’s important to go for high-difficulty core courses that also go with your interests to enroll yourself in top universities. The ideal criteria are to challenge yourself with rich programs at the school level so as to develop proficiency at the college level.
In case you’re applying for highly-selective colleges or scholarships, the number should fall anywhere between seven to twelve.
Related: A Complete Guide To What Is An AP Seminar Exam
Advantages Of Taking AP Classes For Students
Students are more likely to achieve their academic goals with the greatest supervision, hard work, and intensive practice. As AP courses are a great means to present a competitive application to different college boards. Here are a few benefits of taking AP courses among many others:
1. Prepares For College Level Proficiency
AP courses foster college-level aptitude. Going forward with these programs helps increase confidence and other abilities like critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management.
2. Builds Extraordinary College Applications
First, AP courses encourage & develop college-level skills. Taking these programs helps build confidence and abilities like critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management to thrive in college. It lays the foundation for an extraordinary college application.
3. Global Recognition By Top Universities
Top schools and institutions worldwide accept Advanced Placements credits as a means to highlight students’ efficiency & zeal to challenge themselves academically. It’s also standardized with a 60%+ passing rate.
What Are All The AP Classes For Candidates
As you read this list, give some thought to the topics that really interest you. Here are 38 AP courses in total that you can choose from based upon your goals & interests:
- AP Research
- AP Seminar
- Art and Design (formerly Studio Art): 2-D Design
- Art and Design (formerly Studio Art): 3-D Design
- Art and Design (formerly Studio Art): Drawing
- Art History
- Biology
- Calculus AB
- Calculus BC
- Physics 1: Algebra-Based
- Physics 2: Algebra-Based
- Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
- Physics C: Mechanics
- Psychology
- Spanish Language and Culture
- Spanish Literature and Culture
- Statistics
- US History
- World History: Modern
- Chemistry
- Chinese Language and Culture
- Computer Science A
- Computer Science Principles
- English Language and Composition
- English Literature and Composition
- Environmental Science
- European History
- French Language and Culture
- German Language and Culture
- Government and Politics (Comparative)
- Government and Politics (US)
- Human Geography
- Italian Language and Culture
- Japanese Language and Culture
- Latin
- Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
- Music Theory
Ignite Training Institute – #1 AP Tutors In UAE
Ignite Training Institute helps students develop high-end excellency for appearing & acing their AP examinations. The institute helps at each stage of the preparation with experienced professionals, customized resources, mock exams support, unlimited doubt-solving, & interactive lectures.
Taking AP exams helps students learn different subjects in depth & gain college credits as a primary outcome. We support our candidate’s aspirations by aiming to build a strong foundation with comprehensive testing, critical testing, & review sessions. Connect with our expert consultants today for full information.
FAQs
Which AP Is The Hardest Amongst All The AP Classes?
It’s difficult to determine the “hardest” AP class as it largely depends on the individual student’s strengths, interests, and study habits. However, some commonly cited challenging AP classes include AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Biology, and AP English Language and Composition. The level of difficulty can vary from year to year and from school to school.
Which AP Class Is The Easiest?
The 2022 success rate of 69% is approximately average, and AP Computer Science Principles has the lowest difficulty rating of any AP course, at just 2.8 out of 10 (1 being the easiest).
Is Taking AP (Advanced Placement) Classes Worth It?
If you want to get into a highly competitive & selective university, you should take as many Advanced Placement courses as possible to earn college credits. Applicants seeking admission to top colleges are often advised to take anywhere from seven to twelve Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Conclusion
When it comes to laying a solid groundwork for a student’s educational opportunities, AP classes cannot be topped by any other system. Ignite Training Institute is one of the most successful educational institutions in UAE assisting students in establishing strong academic foundations and meeting the expectations of certain school curricula. Your greatest bet for private tutoring in accordance with the educational standards of the UAE is the Ignite Training Institute.
Students have the opportunity to choose from customized courses best suited to their goals. The tailored courses offered will provide the candidate with all they require to flourish & succeed.
