During the last few years of high school, students are faced with a variety of choices regarding the classes they take. There are more options in subject matter and difficulty level, depending on how much students want to be challenged. Two of the most popular options for higher-level courses in high school are Advanced Placement (AP) and honors classes. Both of these can boost your GPA, help you look well-rounded and academically strong on college applications, and prepare you for the difficulty of college-level classes. However, there are a few key differences that need to be considered before you decide if AP or honors classes are right for you. After taking a look at what sets these two types of classes apart and how they can benefit you, it will be much clearer which might be the most advantageous for your personal academic goals.
Honors classes are more challenging than regular classes, but they generally do not go as deep as AP courses do. They offer an advanced curriculum that encourages students to think critically, tackle more complex material, and develop strong study habits. Honors classes move at a faster pace than regular courses and often cover topics in a much greater depth, which provides students with a sample of what they will experience in college.
On the other hand, Advanced Placement classes are college-level courses that are taught in high school. AP courses are approved by the College Board and follow a standardized curriculum that’s meant to mirror both the content and the rigor of a college course. Students have the option of taking an AP exam at the end of an AP course, and getting a high score may earn them college credit or advanced placement at the college they attend in the future. According to the College Board, “students who succeed in AP classes are more likely to graduate on time and earn higher GPAs in college” than those who do not.
Becky Frank, a history and economics teacher with Excelsior Classes, explained that “in order to teach an AP class, a detailed syllabus has to be sent to the College Board for their approval. Not only covering specific content but including specified types of assignments to prepare students for the AP exam. You also have to select a textbook that has been approved by the College Board for an AP class.” Without approval from the College Board, a class cannot be labeled as an AP class, regardless of how rigorous it may be. She further elaborated on the specific requirements for teaching an AP class, stating, “For example, for the U.S. History AP exam, students need to be familiar with primary sources and literature relevant to American History like Uncle Tom’s Cabin and The Scarlet Letter, as well as historical content.” These insights emphasize the rigorous standards set by the College Board for AP courses, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the challenges of the AP exams.
While both AP and honors classes cover advanced material compared to average high school classes, AP classes go even deeper and are therefore more challenging. An AP English course, for example, will cover more complex topics and require a more in-depth understanding of literature than an honors English course would. AP classes follow a standardized curriculum that is designed to get students used to the rigor of introductory college courses, while honors classes tend to be more flexible, which allows teachers to customize the content to fit the needs of their students.
Another key difference is the aforementioned AP end-of-course exam, while Honors classes typically do not. The AP exam is created by the College Board and is then taken by AP students nationwide. This exam is rigorous and comprehensive, designed to test students on everything they learned throughout the entirety of the course. While honors classes may include final exams, they are typically curated by the teacher and do not carry the same weight as AP exams do in terms of potential college credit.
As important as AP tests are for college credit for AP courses, it is generally very difficult for homeschoolers to find a location to take the AP exam. This is because of the requirement for AP exams to be taken on a specific day and in a school building. Some states have passed laws to help make AP tests more accessible to homeschoolers by requiring schools to allow homeschooled students to take AP classes and exams in their schools. For example, last year the North Carolina General Assembly passed a “bill to allow homeschoolers to take the PSAT and AP tests at their local public schools has been added to the 2023 Appropriations Act.” The North Carolinians for Home Education Association noted that this became law “on October 2, 2023. The original wording of SB 411, Allow Home School Students to take AP and PSAT Exams in Public Schools, was added to the Appropriations Act by the conference committee.” These legislative efforts highlight a growing recognition of the need to provide equitable access to AP testing for all students, especially homeschoolers.
One of the biggest differences between AP and honors classes is the ability to earn college credit. By taking the AP exam at the end of the course, AP students have an opportunity to earn college credits if they achieve a high enough score. The National Association for College Admission Counseling notes that “AP scores are widely recognized by colleges and can offer students the advantage of skipping introductory college courses.” In contrast, honors classes do not offer this opportunity. Honors courses are designed to be more challenging than regular high school classes, but they are not necessarily college-level.
Both AP and Honors classes can boost your GPA because they are often weighted more heavily than regular classes are. For example, an A in a regular class might be worth 4.0 points, an A in an Honors class could be worth 4.5, and an A in an AP class might be worth 5.0, depending on each school’s grading policy. The added weight can help raise your GPA and provide you with a competitive edge during the college admissions process.
Both AP and Honors classes look impressive on college applications, but AP classes stand out more because of their college-level rigor. Taking AP classes shows admissions officers that you are not only prepared for college, but that you have already succeeded at college-level courses. According to a study by the College Board, “Students who take AP courses are better prepared for college, more likely to major in competitive fields, and tend to have higher graduation rates.”
Honors classes, while not as intense as AP courses, are still valued by colleges because they demonstrate a student’s willingness to take on academic challenges and go beyond the standard high school requirements. Both types of courses help develop skills like critical thinking, time management, and effective study habits, all of which are essential for college success.
In comparison to traditional high school courses, AP classes require a very high level of commitment. Because they are college-level courses, they often involve a more challenging homework load, additional reading, and preparation for the AP exam at the end of the year. Students in AP classes should be prepared to dedicate significant time to the course outside of class in order to stay on top of the material.
Honors classes also require extra effort, but the workload is generally less intense than that of AP classes. While honors classes are more fast-paced and have more advanced material than regular classes, they do not demand as much time as AP courses do. This quality makes honors classes an excellent choice for students who want to be challenged academically but do not have the time in their schedule to commit to the high workload of AP courses.
Choosing between AP and honors classes depends heavily on your goals, interests, and workload capacity. If you are aiming for admission into a highly competitive college or want to earn college credits in high school, AP classes are the way to go. If you want a challenge but prefer a more balanced workload, honors classes can give your transcript a boost without the intense demands of AP courses.
Think about which subjects you’re passionate about and where your strengths lie. AP classes require dedication and time, so they are best suited for students who are both interested in and ready for the challenge. Honors classes, with their more moderate pace, allow you to explore a subject more deeply without as intense a commitment.
If you are strong in a particular subject and are interested in the chance of earning college credits, then AP would be the better option. If you are passionate about a subject but are unsure about the college-level workload commitment, honors classes can provide a challenge without the added stress.
AP and Honors classes both offer different benefits, ranging from boosting your GPA to preparing you for college. AP classes are the most rigorous of the two, mirroring college courses and providing students with the opportunity to earn college credit. Because of this, they demand a higher level of commitment and are especially valuable for students looking to attend more competitive colleges. Honors classes, while less intense than AP, still provide a challenging curriculum and demonstrate to colleges that you are committed to academic and personal growth.
Whether you choose AP, Honors, or a variety of both, you are setting yourself up for success in any future academic endeavors. These advanced classes help you build critical thinking skills, improve your college applications, branch out academically, and allow you to explore subjects you are passionate about. No matter which type of course you choose, enrolling in advanced classes shows that you are willing to push yourself beyond what is required and take your education seriously; a quality that will serve you well in college as well as in life.
The thoughts and opinions expressed are those of the author and should not be taken to represent the views of Excelsior Classes, LLC or the consortium of teachers.
