Advance placement, or AP, classes are those college-level courses to which you get access from high school itself. These classes are definitely challenging ones with which you can make your resume for college stand out and show the admissions committee of your dream college that you are here for what it takes. Taking AP classes and scoring exceptionally well in them can actually help them make their college applications easy, and taking up multiple AP courses can further improve the chances.

What are AP Classes?

Students are expected to perform very well, and with the increase in competition to get into the premium colleges and universities, it has become even tighter. This is the reason why students are now taking AP classes to make their applications stand out. The classes run concurrently with regular high school classes, and the subjects are of the difficulty level of introductory college courses. The AP classes are either conducted for the whole of the high school or only for the semester; it changes from school to school.  

AP classes need rigorous work, but taking them up is definitely a good option to boost your academic application.

How Many AP Courses Are There?

There are 38 AP courses organised into seven broad disciplines. The number of courses offered will be in the purview of the school. Checking with the school administration can help you with the kinds of courses your school has listed.

  1.  AP Capstone Diploma Programme

  2. Arts

  3. AP English

  4. History and Social Sciences

  5. Math and Computer Science

  6.  Sciences

  7. AP World Languages and Culture

There has been a bifurcation amongst these courses as to which is hard and which is easy. The level of difficulty in passing the exams was designed after gaining a thorough understanding of the national average passing rates. AP classes require students to be committed and work hard, regardless of whether the classes are difficult or easy.

Let us bifurcate easy and hard classes based on the national average of students who take the AP exams:

Easy AP subjects are:

  • Calculus BC

  • Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism

  • Computer Science A

  • Physics C: Mechanics

  • Calculus AB

  • Music Theory

  • Psychology

  • AP English Literature and Composition

  • Microeconomics

Hard AP subjects are 

  • Physics 1

  • Environmental Science

  • English Language and Composition

  • Chemistry

  • AP Computer Science Principles

  • World History: Modern

  • European History

  • Statistics

Why take AP Classes?

Every student dreams of going to the best college and graduating with flying colours. As the competition among students who are aiming for colleges is now rapidly increasing, in order to stand out and be unique, something extra has to be done to prove your calibre. Let us further look into some of the benefits provided by AP classes:

  • College Readiness

Attending AP classes will give you a good start on your college education. As said earlier, AP classes deal with subjects that are at the level of entry-level college classes. So, a head start into what the college curriculum will look like can help students decide and also prepare well for college against their peers who haven’t taken AP classes. Your transition from high school to college will be comparatively easier and will help in preparing for the next phase of your life.

  • Be unique

An AP student's application process will be distinct because they will be including additional AP exam scores. Admissions officers will be pleased to learn about the students' efforts and will be able to shortlist you much more easily than other students who have not taken the AP classes. The level of hard work taken by the students is also naturally showcased in the application.

  • Strengthen High School Transcript

The high school transcripts also get that beneficial upgrade if you take those AP classes. It can help you score a better GPA, as each AP class gives you an extra point for your high school GPA. Through taking up a good set of AP classes, you can easily be in the top 10% of the class while graduating. 

  • Save time and money

With a large number of AP classes under your belt, you can easily expedite your college applications and help yourself fast track into the second year of college. This will help you save time and money for tuition for the first year of college and can relatively save up to one-quarter of your college fee fund. 

What AP Classes Should I Take?

There are many factors to consider when deciding on the subjects that you have to take for AP classes. However, several reasons can help you streamline your choices for AP classes:

  • There are certain courses that the colleges expect you to take and expect you to pass these classes irrespective of your domain of interest. One such course is AP English Language and Composition. Passing these core courses can help you gain direct visibility in the college admissions process.

  • Adding in additional courses along with the courses can help you be in a more lucrative position while applying to colleges. If you are aiming for medicine, along with the core subject of physics, if you additionally take up calculus and chemistry, you will be able to get into much more advanced courses in your freshman year itself. 

  • Always go for courses that are popularly available at your school. Choosing unique subjects that have no good faculty can lead you to score less marks, thereby hampering your chances.

  • Make consistent efforts to score well and take courses to your liking instead of going by the words of people who say that a particular subject is hard. Easier subjects will have many takers and hence intense competition. Choose wisely and make sure to help yourself be exclusive in subject 

AP courses are indeed a good choice when you dream high. These classes are the best ways to make yourself exceptional amongst your peers. Choose the best AP courses in Dubai and make sure to score well on your AP exams.

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