AP classes and Dual Credit classes can help students get ahead in college while still in high school. But these programs are quite similar, it may be hard to see the difference between the two.
“AP stands for Advanced Placement, college curriculum courses that let you earn credits through an exam at the end of the course,” said NHS AP coordinator and counselor Jenney Myler.
While AP courses require you to take an exam, dual credit classes take a different approach by having a work-based credit system.
“Dual credit classes are an opportunity to earn college credits while in high school,” said NHS college career and counselor Joy Horgan.
Both counselors said that all students should at least try one of these classes because of their benefits.
“AP classes are affordable because you basically pay just for one exam which is $98,” Myler said.
Students could earn up to 12 college credits by taking AP classes alone, which can get them ahead in college. This means that by earning college credits while in high school students will have a chance to earn their degree faster.
Dual credit classes also help students by helping them save money.
“Dual credit classes in high school are cheaper than college classes that you take on a college campus,” Horgan said.
They are essentially regular classes where students pay a little bit more for many opportunities in the future.
“AP classes are college-level courses, and are designed to be challenging,” Myler said. “But you do have to be a good test taker because the exam that you take at the end of the course is the thing that determines the number of credits you get.”
The most important piece of advice for future AP/dual credit students is to treat it like a normal class.
“Everybody should try taking at least one AP class because if you fail and don’t want to take the exam, you don’t have to take it and pay money,” Myler said.
The best thing students can do to succeed and excel in these classes is to work hard and do their assignments.
“Doing your homework and preparing for tests is probably the most important and only thing that you should do to do well,” Horgan said.
