Advanced Placement (AP) classes are some of the most rigorous courses one is able to take in high school. Being at the same level as college classes, they allow students to challenge themselves with new and interesting material that isn’t typically taught in grade-level classes.

AP classes were introduced in 1952, and there were eleven subjects initially. However, as of 2024, there are 39 courses. During 1955-56, the program was taken over by College Board, a nonprofit organization based in New York. They were created as a response to the learning style gap present between secondary (high school) and higher (college) education. At the end of the full course, students have to take an exam, which assesses their knowledge of the course at a higher level.

Since their inception, AP classes have been used as a measure of academic achievement, especially for colleges. They also provide numerous benefits for those trying to further their education.

“I have accumulated enough credits in high school to skip a semester of classes and focus on electives, subjects that interest me, or courses that fulfill my major requirement,” former student Ethan Bull said. “AP classes also prepare you really well for the syllabus-directed classes in college and the independent self-study required to be successful.”

Additionally, earning a passing score on the AP exam can grant college credit for specific introductory classes. The credits vary, so College Board has provided a tool that can show how the credit transfer works and which colleges accept which credits. Obtaining these credits early can help reduce costs in college, as well as prepare students for introductory level college work.

Many high schools across the nation offer both AP classes and Dual Enrollment classes. Each has their individual benefits, but AP credit is more easily transferable to colleges across the country. Dual Enrollment classes may be only recognized in the state they were earned. Also, the AP exam fee is sometimes waived by the state or the College Board.

AP classes come in a wide range of subjects, including Science, Foreign Language, Math, Computer Science, History, Social Studies, English, and Art. They are all designed to be demanding, so it’s important for students to choose classes that align with their goals. For example, if a student wishes to be an engineer, taking AP Physics 1 and AP Calculus AB may be a step in the right direction. If a student wishes to pursue digital art, however, taking AP Music Theory and AP 3D Art and Design might be the better choice.

“African American Studies definitely made me more mindful of [African American history] in the U.S.,” senior Maximillan Aller said. “Calculus will definitely help me for engineering [too], which is what I plan to do in the future.”

There are some APs that are generally more helpful for Las Vegas students than others. The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) requires students to take several history classes for their first year. Getting this credit out of the way in high school can help not only save money, but also save time in college.

Some other things to consider when choosing AP classes:

• Do these APs interest me?
• What do you actually learn in these AP classes?
• What are the pass rates of the APs I want to take?
• Who teaches the classes?

These questions will help students decide what kinds of courses they want to challenge themselves with.