But do AP classes count as college credit?
While often true, it ultimately depends on your final AP exam score and the acceptance policy of the college you want to attend.
Easy enough, right?
For students like Quinn O’Leary, who know what they want personally and professionally, yes. Other high schoolers need more time to envision their future, and that’s OK.
By understanding everything about AP classes now, you’ll be ready to decide if they align with the goals you eventually set — and help you navigate the college admissions process with confidence.
What Are AP Classes?
AP courses expose students to college-level classes at their high school.
College Board, the not-for-profit organization behind the SAT, develops the material for the 40 classes offered, which include:
- Art history
- Music theory
- Calculus AB/BC
- United States history
- Psychology
- Biology
- English literature and composition
- And more.
At the end of the school year, students take an exam on what they have learned. To receive college credit, you must score at least a three or higher. Of the 1.2 million high school seniors who took an AP exam in 2024, 22.6 percent achieved that mark.
High schools usually offer AP classes for free. However, students must pay a fee to take the exam, which costs $99 per test. College Board provides a discount on the exam to families in need of financial assistance.
How AP Classes Help High School Students
Students who test well and prefer to stay within the high school class structure generally benefit the most from AP classes. Other advantages include:
- Stronger applications: For many institutions, AP classes indicate ambition and college readiness, which can increase the chance of being accepted.
- Academic rigor: Standardized class materials and exams provide a clear, national benchmark of mastery.
- Higher GPA: Most high schools weigh grade point averages (GPA). AP classes hold more value and doing well in a class can result in a GPA above 4.0, which colleges notice. Exam scores do not impact GPA.
College admissions officers want to see students challenge themselves academically throughout high school rather than a specific number of college-level courses on their transcript, so you do not need to wonder, “How many AP classes should I take?”
High schools also set rules that lay out when and how many AP classes students may take. In some districts, you might not be able to sign up for one until your junior year. In general, more AP class options open as students advance grades.
The Difference Between Credit and Advanced Placement
Most colleges offer credit or advanced placement, or both, for qualifying AP exam scores. Here’s how the two differ:
- College credit: You usually need 120 credits to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. If you earn a three or higher on an AP exam, colleges may accept credit for that test result. For example, if you score a four on the AP Psychology exam, your college may grant you the equivalent number of credits, giving you a head start before taking your first class and saving you tuition.
- Advanced placement: Some colleges don’t give credit for high scores on AP exams but acknowledge you know the subject material. So, they will let a student skip those courses. It’s often introductory classes required for your major, or the core ones that colleges mandate all students take. Students frequently use advanced placement earned through AP to open space in their schedule and pursue a double major or an internship.
In some cases, you’ll get both credit and advanced placement for a qualifying AP score.
How Do I Know if a College Will Accept My AP Courses?
Students should find out whether their preferred college grants credit, advanced placement, or neither before choosing an AP class.
They can contact the institution directly, or use the AP Credit Policy Search tool. To do so:
- Enter your college of choice.
- Look for the AP class(es) you would like to take and check the required scores.
- Note whether they offer credit, advanced placement, or both.
- Decide whether to sign up for the AP class(es).
Doing this ahead of time gives a clear idea of the institution’s expectations and prevents unpleasant surprises while applying.
AP Classes vs. Other Accelerated Programs
In addition to AP classes, students can enroll in International Baccalaureate (IB) and dual enrollment programs to earn college credit in high school.
- IB: A globally recognized academic framework. Students take courses in six subject groups over two years. They must also complete a philosophy course exploring the nature of knowledge, write a 4,000-word research paper, participate in non-academic activities, and pass a series of exams, which include oral presentations and case studies, to earn a diploma. Many colleges grant advanced standing or waive prerequisite courses for those who score well on IB tests. International universities also accept these credits for students wanting to study abroad.
- Dual enrollment: Taking college classes directly at a local community college or university, which earns credit for a diploma and undergraduate degree at the same time. Students can do this at online institutions, such as Portage Learning, which offers self-directed courses that let you complete classes on your schedule. Credits transfer to over 2,800 institutions nationwide.
Colleges don’t necessarily prefer one accelerated program over another. As with the question of, “How many AP classes should I take?” they instead look for a class load that increases in difficulty.
Final Thoughts: Making AP Classes Work for You
Deciding whether to take an AP class requires careful consideration about your future.
A difficult choice at any age, but especially as a teenager, right?
Once you identify those goals though, the tools to determine whether to take advantage of AP classes exist. And if your dream college does not accept credit for them, or if the high school you attend offers a limited selection, you can explore other options. Portage Learning supports high schoolers each day with focused and flexible online college courses.
By the way, Quinn (partially) achieved her dream in the fall, enrolling at Penn State University to study broadcast journalism.
She’ll accomplish the rest in due time, and so can you.
(Want to jump-start your college career? Register for one of Portage Learning’s affordable courses today and start tomorrow. Explore our offerings here.)
Still looking for answers?
Check out the FAQs about this article below.
