AP testing: basics, benefits, credits, and classes

Student studying for AP European exam (Ryan Win-Ruan/The Puma Prensa)

By: Ryan Win-Ruan, staff writer

Advanced Placement, or AP, testing: it’s regarded as  critical exams for high schoolers across the US, but is it worth its reputation?

AP testing is a 2-3 hour college-level standardized exam offered by the College Board to high school students enrolled in AP courses, which are high-level classes that provide both college and high school credits in exchange for being more academically rigorous, to earn college credits. They typically run from early to mid-May, covering a wide variety of topics, including but not limited to biology, chemistry, statistics, Latin, macroeconomics, and European history. However, they have a reputation among many students for being difficult, which, although they can be rigorous, is not entirely accurate. Instead, they are designed so that the benefits of taking the test greatly outweigh the risks.

Teachers have often shown support for the test and the academic material it covers, and they are enthusiastic about the opportunities it provides for students taking it. Joy Schermer, an AP Chemistry teacher at Maria Carrillo High School, is a vehement supporter of the test, and is a firm believer in teachers’ abilities to prepare students for the annual assessment, stating that, “each teacher has their style of teaching,” and, “the teachers on [Maria Carrillo’s] campus have success that is far beyond the national average [of test scores]”. Schermer advises students to follow the guidance of their AP teachers closely during test preparation, and she has stated that these tests are regarded as proof of completion, representing the students’ mastery of the course.

Despite the positive reviews from teachers, many freshmen are unaware of the details of AP testing. One freshman, Sophia Angle, mentions that they seem to have a reputation for difficulty and are equally as crucial for students as the SATs (college entrance examinations). However, she hasn’t been told why this is the case. Angle is enthusiastic about taking AP courses and seeing what they have to offer. Still, she expresses that informational sessions for freshmen about the specifics of the AP classes and tests would be beneficial to her understanding of the class. 

The relative lack of knowledge that freshmen have about the AP courses and tests can affect them during class registration, as some are worried about the difficulty of the assessments. In contrast, others know nothing about it except for a passing mention when discussing the class, which only adds to the stress that freshmen experience upon entering sophomore year. These issues can be easily addressed by sharing basic information about the test across schools, which would both clear up the confusion surrounding the tests and make the decision to take these courses more precise and decisive for many.

Contrary to the confused enthusiasm of some freshmen, junior Lisa Zheng, who is busy preparing for this year’s upcoming AP tests, is very grateful for the instruction she has received from her teachers in preparation for the assessments. She calls the AP exams a “culmination of the whole school year’s efforts [in exchange] for college credits,” and states that the difficulty of the tests can differ from class to class, but the “actual test itself [is] not stressful.” Zheng believes that some people take the AP tests because they feel like they have to, which she disagrees with. 

Corroborating Zheng’s advice, senior Isa Tardioli advises students to “approach [the AP test] as a test of knowledge,” and that rather than pulling an all-nighter, students should relax and feel confident in both their skills and their teachers’ instruction, advice that Zheng agrees with. Tardioli also says that “AP classes are worth taking on their own,” and views the actual assessment as a good way to see how much a student has learned. 

Both Tardioli and Zheng view the AP tests and courses as a good way to connect with classmates. Tardioli comments that “[the students] all go through the same struggles [and] all make the same jokes,” viewing the courses as great bonding experiences. This kind of bonding can be helpful for students’ social health and help them sympathize with others in a similar situation, which are very positive traits for students (and everyone in general).

So, although some freshmen have expressed confusion about the specifics of the exams, many view the AP tests in a positive light, with both teachers and upperclassmen agreeing that they are an effective gateway to college opportunities. The optimism is undeniable, and the tests, although often stressful, are a unique opportunity for all who take them. They are usually not as difficult as many younger students make them out to be; instead, they are a chance given to students who choose to take an AP course as a way to advance academically.