AP vs. Honors Classes

According to AP Central, the College Board’s resource for all things Advanced Placement (AP), almost half of enrolled college students start with some credit earned by taking AP classes and their associated exams. 

But do higher institutions expect that all applicants will have taken every available AP course at their high school? Not necessarily. While AP scores can positively impact college admissions, it’s just one piece of the puzzle used to understand a student’s academic potential.

High school guidance counselors and college admissions professionals agree that it’s better to prioritize quality over quantity when choosing AP courses. Taking on too many can lead to burnout and potentially lower AP exam scores. A few judiciously chosen AP exams with higher scores (4 or 5) demonstrate genuine interest and mastery of challenging material.

Another option available for high school students? Honors classes. They work differently than AP classes; students don’t take a national exam to evaluate their knowledge. You won’t earn college credit for taking an honors course, but that doesn’t mean it’s not without value. 

When choosing your high school classes, consider more than what looks good on your transcript. How will your choices affect your passions and abilities? A well-rounded application showcases a student who excels academically and in extracurriculars and personal pursuits and can maintain a healthy balance between the two.

Why take honors classes

Honors classes are more rigorous than standard courses, but their content and expectations can vary significantly from school to school. Each district — and sometimes individual teachers — has the freedom to create their own curricula. So, an 11th-grade honors English class at one school might cover vastly different material compared to another.

Even though you can’t earn college credits for honors classes like you can with an AP course, honors classes still have value. Honors classes go beyond the basics in standard courses to encourage critical thinking, analysis, and a more nuanced understanding of concepts. 

The faster pace and more demanding workload of honors classes help you develop essential study skills in time management, organization, and critical thinking. These courses also emphasize complex problem-solving and analytical skills, preparing you for the challenges you’ll face in college and beyond.

Taking honors classes also demonstrates academic ambition to colleges and contributes to a well-rounded education. While AP courses can offer a direct path to college credit, honors classes also provide a valuable educational experience. 

Why take AP classes

Top universities seek students with a strong academic foundation and commitment to challenging themselves. AP courses can showcase those qualities. A transcript including successful AP experience highlights a dedication to rigorous study and your ability to thrive in demanding academic environments. 

Developed and overseen by the College Board, these courses adhere to a standardized curriculum and end with a comprehensive standardized exam. High scores can earn you college credit, enabling you to bypass introductory courses and potentially graduate early. AP exam scores are widely recognized, and qualifying scores earn university credit at institutions in the United States, Canada, and over 60 other countries. 

A caveat: each college and university maintains its own distinct policies about the minimum scores accepted to earn credit. A 2024 study published by PPI, which analyzed the U.S. News and World Report’s top 102 universities and 51 colleges, found that some are limiting the use of AP credit toward a degree. Of these 153 schools:

• Only 16% offered AP credit in all subject areas
• 42% no longer accept a 3 (out of a possible 5) for college credit
• 50% cap the total number of AP credits they offer

The report includes the entire U.S. News list of top universities and colleges’ AP credit policies.

AP vs. honors: which should I take?

Let’s address a few misconceptions to help you decide whether to take honors or AP classes.

• Myth: More AP is better
  Not necessarily. Prioritize quality over quantity. If you think you’ll struggle in a certain AP class, take honors instead. For example, if you can take AP history, AP English and AP calculus, but math isn’t your strongest subject, sign up for the AP history and English classes, but perhaps take honors calc instead.
  
  The goal isn’t to overload your schedule, create stress, and unintentionally set yourself up for frustration and failure! The classes you take should show your ability to master challenging coursework in the subject areas that interest you most.
• Myth: Only certain AP classes impress admissions officers
  Not at all! The best AP classes you can take are those aligned with your academic interests and where you can show exceptional performance. If AP Art and Design and AP Biology are more your jam than AP U.S. History or AP Statistics, take the art and bio!
• Myth: AP courses equal automatic college credit
  False. Colleges award credit based on how high you score on the subject-specific AP exam. Depending on the exam and college, you may need to score a 3, 4, or even 5 to earn credit. You can check specific college requirements by visiting their website. 
• Myth: My school doesn’t offer AP classes, so I’m out of luck
  Not so! Many AP classes are available online — as are the exams. If there’s an AP class you’d like to take, verify with your guidance counselor that the credits will count toward your high school graduation requirement, and if they do, go for it!

Choosing the “right” number of AP and honors classes is a personal decision influenced by your goals and circumstances. If you’re aiming for highly selective colleges, challenge yourself with harder classes. But be careful! Taking too many AP courses can hurt your college applications if you get low grades or test scores.

The key? Balance. Think about your commitments. Are you working part-time? Playing sports? Involved in clubs? Volunteering in the community? You want to excel in your classes and have time for these other important activities.

There’s another common misconception that you need a specific number of AP classes to get into a good school. But the reality? There is no magic number. Students who take 15-20 AP classes throughout high school can burn out from overloading their schedules with college-level courses. They’re exhausted before they even get to college. Taking fewer AP classes and staying involved in other activities you love is better. Colleges want well-rounded students, not just those who laser focus on AP classes. 

The most important thing? Challenging yourself appropriately without becoming overwhelmed. Review your options and push yourself to where you “bend” but don’t break. Be honest about what you can handle. To help make the best choices for your academic schedule, don’t just ask, “What do colleges want?” Instead, ask, “What subjects do I enjoy and excel in?” and go from there.

Want more tips and insights? Check out our full Guide to College Admissions here.