(AP) Advanced Placement

*REALLY GREAT STRATEGY!
Just be aware these classes also come with some challenges (or potential pitfalls)

Pretty much all High Schools offer AP classes these days. Most offer about 7-15 titles. Their existence is very well known. Counselors, Teachers, & even your Helicopter Moms really push those with higher aptitude, higher grade performance history, higher level of dedication, or greater pain tolerance threshold to sign up. But we obviously love these--because they are the most "mainstream" option, and any College Credit = SPEED.

THE BASICS OF AP CLASSES

* First off, the general purpose of these is to get College Credit and/or greatly improve GPA for College acceptance or

Scholarships. Of course, learning the subject at a higher level is a focus, but for most people (parents and students), the

top two reasons reign supreme.

Note: SC uses a "weighted" GPA scale with the possibility of 0.5+ extra points for Honors Classes and 1.0+ points for APs & Dual Credits. So, when you

see the GPA requirements later for "Automatic Scholarships", don't forget a 3.0-3.5 is pretty normal while 3.75-4.0+ is "Above-Above-Average" to Excellent.

(Heads-up: this is a really simplified overview---it is a tad more nuanced)

* The concept is simple. Take the class, pass it, then test through the College Board. If you pass the test, you'll never have to

take that class again (at most colleges). You now have 3 Semester Hours of Credit (and perhaps more---additional info on that below).

* Next and this is REALLY IMPORTANT---These classes are generally a bit harder than your Standard High School class

(now often referred to as "College Prep"). If you go this route...just be ready.

* In most cases a student must have a recommendation from the Counselor or Teachers to be included. Our understanding is

that most "can be eligible" if they have an acceptable grade history and any necessary pre-reqs. Many are not nudged that

direction due to perceived aptitude or past challenges in classes. However, a meeting with a Counselor may often solve this.

So, What About the Test?

Which of Course is Our Main Concern

1. Take an Advanced Placement (AP) class in HS, then take an Exam---PASS IT and EARN A COLLEGE CLASS

2. Typically take 2-3+ hours to complete

3. Some Multiple Choice, but also Short Answer, Essay, and Problem Solving---which can make the grading a tad subjective

4. There are 40 AP Tests according to College Board (as of 2025)

5. Results normally come out in mid June. That kinda sucks because the tests are the first week or so of May! For contrast, CLEP & DSST exam results are provided the same day (for almost all of them)

6. Score scale goes from 1-5…with 3 typically being a pass (meaning acceptance for credit at most Colleges). A “4” is a sure thing for actual degree "application" if that class is required or if there's still room on your Degree Map for electives. More on that below...

7. Scores of 4 or 5 can often get credit for TWO CLASSES—so guess what CollegeDawg would do? Find your Degree Major choice(s) based on potential demand & income (and of course, interest level). Then find schools that give multiple class credits for "4’s" if you've got those already

or expect to score at that level in May. Scoring 5’s, of course, is a bit tough to bank on. *NOTE: Like discussed already, the same works for acceptance of CLEPs/DSSTs and potential DOUBLE CREDIT for certain scores or tests.

8. Pass rates are pretty decent (comparable to CLEP or DSST), perhaps a tad higher. You can find the most recent year broken down by subject

on the College Board site. Link at page bottom...

9. AP Tests have DIFFERENT VERSIONS so they use something called “Equating” when grading. So, it's kinda like a curve (or the cousin of a curve). If you get the harder version, they might expect a little less, thus awarding a 3-5 for perhaps “Lesser Accurate or Detailed” answers.

Look it up!

10. You can (and probably should) use a paid site like Study.com or Petersons.com just to add to/contrast the study material given to you by the High School. These sites have practice tests, notecards, videos, and quizzes that can make sure you’re not missing any important points. They’re typically $40-$60 a month—just make sure the test or tests you want are covered first. (All links & info can be found in our "Study Guide" section below)

NOTE: Don’t be misled by the higher pass rates on some AP’s vs. CLEPs. Remember these points:

1. The students, GENERALLY SPEAKING are slightly better academically, probably have excellent study habits, and may have better test taking skills (ON AVERAGE)
2. They took A VERY DETAILED, semester-long course on the subject
3. They’ve been PREPPED for the test, with course content driven TOWARD THE TEST very often

AP Pro's & Con's

Main Pro's: (opinion: like a large portion of this site!)

A. You get College Credit (3-4 Semester Hours) for 1 Passed AP Test---typically a score of 3 out of 5

B. You can get credit for TWO COLLEGE CLASSES with some 4’s and a great majority of 5’s in the right subjects.

That's right! History is History!

C. You usually receive quality Instruction for the subject AND THE TEST. Additionally, the setup is great to give you a taste of expectations

at the more "Well Known", "In-Demand", or "Football School" Colleges.

D. You can get 1.0+ added to your GPA per class by completing the course (in the majority of States/Regions).

**NOTE: CollegeDawg doesn’t talk GPA’s and Getting into “YOUR DREAM SCHOOL” or “THE BEST SCHOOL”

However--- as we will cover in detail in other sections, many STATES AND COLLEGES have AUTOMATIC MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS

for those with 1 or 2 of the following (roughly): 3.0-3.25 GPA, 1100-1200 SAT, or placing in the top 25-35% of your HS class.

THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT to the CollegeDawg plan. You'll get all that and more in the “Cost Cutting” section of the site.

Main Con's: (more opinion--take it for what it's worth!)

A. Course Workload or Difficulty. Yeah, these can be a good bit harder. However, consider the subject. Outside of Math, some Sciences, or perhaps a Foreign Language---how hard can someone make History, Government, Composition, or Microeconomics? Either way,

the GREAT NEWS IS--you can usually find friends that have taken the course (or other courses with that same teacher) and use that info as a barometer. Note: FOR ME personally, these woulda been tough due to workload, and my overall aversion to any type of work in general.

B. The AP Tests are given in early May. Thus, if you took the class in Fall---be prepared TO RE-PREPARE. But we've got suggestions on that below, and in our next section: AP-to-CLEP strategies.

C. Several of these AP's MIGHT only count as electives with some Colleges or Degree Programs. That is, until your elective slots run out.

*TEACHABLE MOMENT: Really consider which AP's you take (as well as Dual Credits) & ensure Colleges under your consideration will even APPLY them to the degree you want----unless you just want the GPA score enhancement that comes along with these.

Here's a TRUE STORY to Illustrate:

Recently we were talking to some Parents and mentioned we had a Mentee this year enter "Junior Status" after 1 College Semester at a "Big Football School". The Parents shared with us that they had a current Senior with 42 AP & Dual Credits from their time in High School, who will almost be in "THAT EXACT SITUATION" next year. I congratulated them, but reluctantly cautioned them to just be aware that based on certain scenarios that may not be accurate (which sucked to say---but it happens all the time). They said rather emphatically "YEAH, ALL CREDITS ARE ACCEPTED---there's a State Agreement!". YUP, they're right for the most part. The key is----WILL THEY ALL FIT into that degree? In many cases where someone accumulated 12-14+ classes (AP/Dual Credit) or perhaps several of those and a couple Credit-by-Exams---the answer is NOPE (unless the Major is a tad less rigid).

So, Why is This You Ask?

There's just no place to put them in MANY of today's degrees! If they don't match a required course, can't be substituted for another, or you've only got 3-4 elective slots for a SPECIFIC MAJOR at a SPECIFIC SCHOOL---you may be stuck not using 3-5 of those College Course Credits. It pays to know beforehand. Just check the Degree Map (Outline for Specific Degree Majors at each School), then strategically whittle that list down, or mold your HS class selections to better fit the individual College & Major requirements. For the Student and Parents in our example, the scenario might have worked out like this:

COLLEGE #1: the student got 45 Semester hours as everything fit, or they had more elective slots, or the College did some "substitutions". In this case the student actually got 1 extra course credit for getting a 4 on her World History AP exam.

COLLEGE #2: the student got 27 Semester hours APPLIED as the following courses did not fit in AFTER REQUIRED COURSES were applied & all general electives were filled: US History, Music Theory, Macroeconomics, Psychology, & College Algebra (Dual Credit).

*That's essentially a 1+ Semester difference---so pay attention, do your research, and in this particular case maybe consider College #1 if you're not going into an extremely high-end Career (or the Grad School+ type degree fields).

Beyond just the extra time required, the 18 semester hour difference might equate to $9,000 in Tuition (or $18,000 if staying on campus)---and that's just at a typical Public University.

So, the planning time is well worth it!

Bottom Line: "Guaranteed Acceptance" does not mean GUARANTEEED APPLICIBILITY. REALLY SORRY FOR THE BAD NEWS GUYS.

D. Some Colleges require a score of 4 or 5 to get credit for the specific class you need. A score of 3 might count as an elective or no credit at all.

In fact, there are many Colleges that only accept limited AP's or none at all.

E. THE DELAY on Scores. Again, the AP Tests are in early-mid May and these scores are usually received in mid-June. As you’re now catching on, your SPEED TO DEGREE could be affected if you a think you'll pass an AP exam, but need to know now, as it is a required course at a Specific College. Failing it means you'd have to take a lower-level course AND that course for their Program. This is a good example where you might have tried to get it done your Junior year, considered a Dual Credit class, or used the "AP-to-CLEP" strategy covered in the next section to at least ensure you get 1 College Course credited---thus taking the pressure off. But more to come on that...

So, in summary on AP’s---we love them.

Just do your homework/research first with the colleges you are considering.

There’s nothing like thinking you’re walking in

with 42 hours of credit to find out 27 hours are applicable!

If you want a little more info on AP Tests and Pass Rates---check out the Below

LINK to College Board AP section
https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses

LINK to College Board AP Average Score’s Per Subject
https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/about-ap-scores/score-distributions