Are AP Classes Worth the Work?
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Sage Osesek
AP classes are constantly criticized and complained about. Being college-level courses, they give out more homework than regular classes, their tests are much harder, and classes are more focused and curriculum-based. However, students take these courses to get college credits or boost their GPA with the attractive 5.0 grading scale. The College Board, the creator of AP classes, enunciates this point, claiming that AP classes will help you “succeed in college” and “stand out to colleges.” While teachers and The College Board are convinced AP classes are overall beneficial, many students aren’t persuaded. Recently, I’ve been hearing “It’s not worth it” echoing throughout schools and social media. Students are finding that their colleges will not accept their AP credit even when they pass the exam. Some colleges, like Williams College or Amherst College, aren’t considering AP scores as credits. So, when most colleges only accept a three/four or higher on the exam and some colleges don’t even accept a student’s AP scores, students are less attracted to these difficult classes.
Teachers will tell you it is worth it, but they will naturally advertise their class. Outside opinions are necessary for an impartial point of view. As an unbiased student and AP test-taker, I support the claim that AP classes are worth the struggle.
Improves Time-Management Skills
AP exams are timed, so most AP classes give timed tests and quizzes. While this is stressful, it is remarkably beneficial in the long run. Before AP classes, time was my biggest concern with tests. I could never manage my time properly, and I would either not finish a test or rush through it too fast. However, AP classes will force you to pay attention to the clock. After you take a few AP timed tests, you will learn when to skip a difficult question and which section to spend more time on. While most regular classes in high school do not have strictly timed tests, college exams are timed. Many AP alumni college students agree that college tests are much less stressful with this timed practice. Therefore, even if you don’t get the GPA boost or college credit you hoped for, your AP experience will enhance your academic skills, which is the ultimate goal of any educational institution.
Helpful Homework Load
Students complain about the quantity of homework that AP classes give, but many AP classes don’t give out a lot of homework. I’ve found that most of my AP teachers have extra optional textbook pages to read, practice problems, and videos to watch. So, the amount of homework an AP class has is up to the student. There is always required homework, but the extra work enhances your understanding of the material and remarkably improves your performance. This style of learning forces a student to realize that their desired grade is dependent on their effort. In the end, many AP classes will have a heavy optional workload. If a student chooses to utilize these resources, it refines self-discipline and motivation. These self-improvements will follow students for the rest of their lives, even outside of AP classes and college.
Forces In-Depth Understanding
Students agree that school is only interesting when you understand a topic thoroughly. I’ve found that when I vaguely know a concept, I’m easily bored and disinterested. However, AP classes force you to understand a topic. Many regular classes have tests that require the regurgitation of information. Students memorize terms and specific questions, but AP classes require the application of information. Therefore, students must thoroughly understand concepts to earn a passing grade. When you truly understand a topic, studying is much more interesting, and you can retain information for longer. Memorization only gets you to the test; comprehension follows you past your class.
Many Study Materials
Since AP classes are popular nationwide, there are copious amounts of study materials available on the internet. AP classroom videos, past FRQs, and Quizlets are abundant, making studying much easier. While AP classes can be hard, there are always resources available to take advantage of. In other classes, it is more challenging to find these resources due to different nationwide curriculums.
The Satisfaction After the Exam
The period before the exam is stressful, but it is a time when all AP students are collectively miserable and frazzled. Everyone is burning the midnight oil to quickly review forgotten concepts. Finally, the AP exam date arrives, and everyone takes the exam. The exam could be nearly impossible or easy, but after the exam, it doesn’t matter anymore. The test is over; you finished the class. The relieving feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment after an AP exam is unmatched. No regular class exam can match the stress and eventual relief of an AP test. The best part of an AP class is the minutes after the test, and I believe that that sigh of relief is worth the workload.
Are AP exams worth it? This opinion is subjective based on a student’s educational point of view. If a student wishes to improve their academic performance in the long run, they should take AP classes. In the end, the GPA boost or college credit isn’t the best AP benefit. The greatest AP benefits will become apparent years after you take the class.
