Advanced Placement Courses

Spring is just around the corner! A new season can bring a fresh round of college-planning decisions for high school juniors. One decision your student may be facing is whether or not to take Advanced Placement (AP) exams in May.

If they are planning to write the exams, they should sign up in March. If their school does not offer the AP exams, they should check with their guidance counselor to determine which schools in the area do administer the exams, as well as the dates and times that the exams will be offered.

But why should an already-busy student commit to more exams?

Many students elect to take AP courses to boost their grade point averages. An A in an AP course can earn a 5 instead of the usual 4, for example. And AP courses simply look good on a college transcript: colleges are interested in students who challenge themselves. Scoring well on an AP exam can sometimes earn college credit.

AP courses also let students learn more about a subject they enjoy while interacting with others who share their interest. AP classes should provide a challenging and, hopefully, stimulating atmosphere. Plus, succeeding in an AP course can be a big confidence booster. These classes can also give students some ideas on what college will be like for them.

AP course offerings are increasing in schools around the nation, and more students are opting to take them.

Yet as the demand for AP courses increases, so do concerns that the program is becoming watered-down. One worry is that some schools may offer courses with the AP name that don't really meet the full requirements. It's hard to be sure, because so many AP students neglect to take the AP exams, which measure how much they've actually learned in the classroom.

There's no doubt that the exams are tough. But consider this: the test scores only go to the colleges that a student selects, so if they bomb on the test, no one needs to know about it. And they can't get that desirable college credit without it.

So taking the final exam is well worth the effort -- and the money.

The number of test-takers is growing, thanks to the increasing number of course offerings nationwide. And more students are now willing to put in the extra work required to pass an AP exam, if it can improve their chances of being accepted by the college of their choice.

According to the college admissions people, a B in an AP course is worth more than an A in an average course.

If your child has questions about the AP exams, be sure to talk with their guidance counselor.