For everyone in the process of finalizing their schedule, underclassmen especially, here’s a guide to AP classes if you’ve never taken one before, so you know what to expect. 

AP stands for Advanced Placement, a program created by the College Board, which is also responsible for the PSAT and SAT. AP classes are college-level courses offered in high school meant to prepare students for higher education. Covering a wide variety of subjects, these classes have the potential to save you a lot of money in the long run if you do well enough on the exams. In May, students can choose to take their AP course’s corresponding exam, which will be scored from 1 to 5. With 3 being a passing score, many colleges will accept scores of 3 or higher as college credit, meaning that you can skip introductory courses and save on tuition.

AP classes can be intimidating for rising freshmen or underclassmen, especially with the final exam in May that covers an entire year of learning. However, most AP classes at VPM will prepare students well for the exam, and the level of difficulty is manageable for many students who succeed in these classes. The first AP class students at VPM take is often AP World in their sophomore year, which, in my opinion, is a wide-ranging and versatile class for students to gain experience with taking AP courses. Of course, you can always choose not to take the exam, and the course itself helps prepare you for more challenging classes if you choose to pursue higher education. 

It’s up to you to decide whether you want to try an AP class, but keep in mind that doing so does not define your intelligence, and neither does deciding not to. They can be a great way to save money and challenge yourself, but make sure you are also enjoying what you are learning about–you don’t want to waste your time in a class if you don’t have any interest in it. Have fun in all your classes this year, and don’t let College Board stress you out too much!