AP Courses vs Normal Classes

[selenaharvard24]

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Hello,

My school offers AP courses and exams, so I would like to know if a person can take normal classes while taking their AP equivalent. For example, can I take an
AP US History course while taking the normal level US History course the school offers? With that said, how can one be sure you are "good enough" or qualified to take an AP course?




Thanks.

 

[Lil Mick]

I don't think you can cross-register. I know the high school at which I taught had pre-recs for taking specific AP classes (certain level of math to take science...). The courses aren't difficult, and I'd recommend trying dual enrollment (college courses) if you're looking for a challenge. Those will also count toward your degree and will be accepted by medical schools for their pre-recs 🙂

 

[kenshin421]

You could always just go take a normal course and then apply just for the AP test. So you would have to self study for the APUSH test, while at the same time take the normal class. I recommend taking the AP class though, the AP and normal classes aren't too much in a jump of difficulty.

 

[AntiHouseMD]

I took AP US History last year. It's more a matter of whether you can memorize random facts and dates rather than true knowledge (although it helps). For example, the practice tests I took had some of the most random questions that relied solely on nit-picking the material. One question that most of my classmates and I still remember was "Who was Jelly Roll Morton?" No one had a clue (I still have no clue). My school required that a history teacher sign off on the AP class to make sure you're qualified. From that point, if you like history and can handle a lot of work (outlines, projects, etc.), you should be fine. Only you can decide whether you're ready for Advanced Placement classes.

Also, why would you want to take two different classes on essentially the same material? I can promise you that APUSH will cover everything a normal class would, and probably more. From my personal opinion, I would advise you not to take another class in the same material as an AP class. Colleges would look at that likely as a negative, also.

 

[skipsbarryimage]

Hello,

My school offers AP courses and exams, so I would like to know if a person can take normal classes while taking their AP equivalent. For example, can I take an
AP US History course while taking the normal level US History course the school offers? With that said, how can one be sure you are "good enough" or qualified to take an AP course?




Thanks.

Depending on the class and the school sometimes you will not be able to take the normal and AP version of a class, while other times you are required to take the normal as a prequisite to the AP version (AP Biology comes to mind). My school does both... EX. you may take AP US History, or US History. Not both. But you have to take Chem before AP Chem and Bio before AP Bio. So you should deffinetly talk to a "counselor" about how the classes you want to take work.

As for determining if you are good enough...again, sometimes you need to be "recommended", as in if you apply for AP US History on your registration forms, your Principal or counselor or whoever makes schedules at your school, will talk to your S.S. teacher from the previous year, asking if they think you are "good enough". Other times, you will just have to "take a stab in the dark", talk to someone who has been in the class before and ask them what they did in the class..was it mostly notes? Lots of tests/quizzes? Mostly labs and hands on learning? How difficult did they think it was over all. Maybe start with one AP class, then the next year do two or three, depending on how the one went and what subjects you are thinking of taking.

And as someone else mentioned, you can take the regular classes, and take the AP test without taking the AP class.

But of course, colleges like to see "rigour", which generally includes AP classes if at all possible, and a variety of them. They also like to see quality grades...so if you don't think you can manage an AP class AFTER talking to someone about how difficult they are and what you do in the ones you are particularly interested in, then it might be a better choice to take a regular class, because schools often discourage dropping of classes because it's too hard for you, they want you to challenge yourself. Look into all your options, weigh the pros and cons... If you still want to take an AP class, GO FOR IT! Try your best, take the test, and rock it!

Sorry for the long post 😳

 

[Connell MD]

I'm taking my first AP class next year. I can tell you though specifically with History, I'll be taking AP Euro, is the amount of writing. AP will require you to write a lot. My teacher personally will give us an essay every night for homework.

We had to take a pre-test for the class. That was an abbreviated AP test with the DBQ. Every school is different.

 

[CuttingCorneas]

I took AP US History last year. It's more a matter of whether you can memorize random facts and dates rather than true knowledge (although it helps). For example, the practice tests I took had some of the most random questions that relied solely on nit-picking the material. One question that most of my classmates and I still remember was "Who was Jelly Roll Morton?" No one had a clue (I still have no clue).

Jelly Roll Morton was a jazz/ragtime pianist. I only know that because of the movie Harriet the Spy, with Michelle Trachtenberg. The guy with a lot of cats was really into scat/jazz music and had a cat named "Jelly Roll."

 

[AntiHouseMD]

Jelly Roll Morton was a jazz/ragtime pianist. I only know that because of the movie Harriet the Spy, with Michelle Trachtenberg. The guy with a lot of cats was really into scat/jazz music and had a cat named "Jelly Roll."

I should have highlighted that in my textbook for next year, or wrote "watch Harriet the Spy" in that chapter. It was one of the more random facts in the book, with one obscure mention of him. We were never asked that question on the AP Exam, so whatever. Thanks for settling my curiosity, though!

 

[deleted393595]

Hello,

My school offers AP courses and exams, so I would like to know if a person can take normal classes while taking their AP equivalent. For example, can I take an
AP US History course while taking the normal level US History course the school offers? With that said, how can one be sure you are "good enough" or qualified to take an AP course?

Thanks.

An AP course is the regular course but with a lot more in depth material. Taking the AP class with its regular analogue would be a waste of your time. AP courses are harder than regular courses but shouldn't be a problem if you're using to actually studying the material (Regular course teachers have a reputation in Texas of handing out grades to make sure the class does well because of No Child Left Behind so hence my perspective).

AP courses are also a great way to be prepared for the rigor of college, especially if you're going to be applying for med school.

 

[I'm No Superman]

I took AP US History last year. It's more a matter of whether you can memorize random facts and dates rather than true knowledge (although it helps). For example, the practice tests I took had some of the most random questions that relied solely on nit-picking the material. One question that most of my classmates and I still remember was "Who was Jelly Roll Morton?" No one had a clue (I still have no clue). My school required that a history teacher sign off on the AP class to make sure you're qualified. From that point, if you like history and can handle a lot of work (outlines, projects, etc.), you should be fine. Only you can decide whether you're ready for Advanced Placement classes.

Wow,your APUSH class sounds difficult. Mine was a cakewalk, the prof just assigned the standard study guides as homework and the standard multiple choice tests (all of the answers are online).

@OP: Anyways, even if you COULD take APUSH and US history at the same time, it would be boring and pointless.

As for knowing if you're ready to take AP classes, If you can ace your regular classes with little to no effort, you'll do fine in AP.

 

[Namie]

This was 10th grade, and I took AP History. The class was easy, but at this time I was on my studying pursuit to become a "pop icon", I was doddling all the time like the outfits I would come up with, and the songs, and the lyrics, I was epic at this time.

Anyways, I came out with a C, but by the end of the year I wasn't really giving a care about high school since I was not going to college (I decided this to pursue the pop icon dream). Anyways now I am going to college, so ehh, take this post for what it is worth.

If I could pull a C (look at my posts) you surely can do well if you put effort.

 

[kcin]

Hello,

My school offers AP courses and exams, so I would like to know if a person can take normal classes while taking their AP equivalent. For example, can I take an
AP US History course while taking the normal level US History course the school offers? With that said, how can one be sure you are "good enough" or qualified to take an AP course?

Thanks.

US high schools are a joke. If you're willing to spend 5 minutes studying for an AP class, then you're "good enough."

 

[manu101]

It would be pointless to take regular U.S History and AP U.S together. My school requires one to attain a certain grade in prior history courses in order to be eligible for AP. AP Sciences are usually taken by those who have completed a high school-level intro course for that particular subject.

 

[deleted393595]

US high schools are a joke. If you're willing to spend 5 minutes studying for an AP class, then you're "good enough."

Depends from school to school. Some schools are notoriously easy while others have much tougher academic standards. My school was the latter and I spent 3 hours a week working on APUSH and 2 hours reviewing before a test. I felt very well prepared for the test though and got a 5.

 

[I'm No Superman]

US high schools are a joke. If you're willing to spend 5 minutes studying for an AP class, then you're "good enough."

Ranked #17 in teh wurld!!! We R gud at lernin'!

 

[Truzzi]

Take the APs. They'll prepare you better, look better, and free up your college schedule. You'll thank yourself later if you study for and do well on the exams.

 

[NickNaylor]

Depends from school to school. Some schools are notoriously easy while others have much tougher academic standards. My school was the latter and I spent 3 hours a week working on APUSH and 2 hours reviewing before a test. I felt very well prepared for the test though and got a 5.

That's some serious studying.

 

[deleted393595]

That's some serious studying.

Haha. Partied it up like a pro after AP tests were done though.

 

[NickNaylor]

Haha. Partied it up like a pro after AP tests were done though.

Just so we're on the same page I was joking. But I appreciate the after exam partying.

 

[deleted393595]

Just so we're on the same page I was joking. But I appreciate the after exam partying.

Didn't catch that since I read it too fast. But thanks on the after exam partying. I think I actually spent 6 hours a week though since I had to take craploads of notes.

 

[Strudel19]

Taking the regular and AP course at the same time is pretty useless. Just do one or the other.