The Controversy to AP Classes

By: Ashley Sawh

The debate over AP classes in high school is something that is discussed by almost all students. Most students ask the same question: Do I take an AP class? For some students, the answer is simple, but it’s not so simple to others. On one hand, these classes give students college credit and are a great way to challenge themselves. On the other hand, AP classes always come with a cost. As these classes continue to progress in the future, people become more unsure about taking them. Here are the pros and cons of AP classes.

AP classes give students the chance to be prepared for college. These classes go at the same pace as college classes do. Granted, the intense pressure and burnout that students face in these classes eat them alive. The combination of intense material and pacing of lectures can be overwhelming for students, especially those taking other rigorous classes and after school extracurriculars. 

On the other hand, these classes help students save money, as these classes are free. Excluding the optional AP test in May, students no longer have to pay to learn about a subject of their choosing by instead taking it in college. . However, although AP classes give students the opportunity to stand out from their peers, they do not come without the stress that comes with the class. 

Thirdly, AP classes also provide college credit to the students that decide to take it. Yet,  some colleges don’t accept them, hence why it’s important to remember to do your research first. Along with this, some critics argue that AP classes don’t actually help students prepare for college, even though the class is considered a college level course. Each AP class prepares students for the AP test in May, but then what? Most classes in college go more in depth than high school AP classes. Lastly, AP classes come with a ton of homework and studying. Most AP teachers expect students to complete a large amount of homework and studying, and depending on the other classes that students take, it can be the most challenging thing about an AP class.

As someone who’s enrolled in AP classes today, I can support the notion that they all come with benefits and challenges.