Last revised April 2026 by Sandra Steiger, TutorsPlus Education Advisor

If you are a parent trying to make sense of the different academic pathways available to your child, you may come across the term Advanced Placement, or AP. Many mistakenly believe AP is only relevant for tertiary education in the USA but there are many universities worldwide that welcome AP results for placement and even rewarding credit. So are APs a good fit for your child?

This guide is here to help you figure that out. We cover what AP courses actually are, how they compare to other programmes, what they mean for university admissions, and which students tend to thrive in this style of study.

What Is Advanced Placement (AP)?

Advanced Placement courses are college-level classes offered to high school students. Developed by the College Board, they allow students to study subjects in greater depth while still in secondary school.

Unlike full diploma programmes, AP is flexible. Students can take one subject or several, depending on their goals, interests, and academic ability.

Purpose of AP

The main purpose of AP is to bridge the gap between school and university. These courses help students in several concrete ways:

Experience college-level academics early
Develop strong subject mastery in areas of interest
Build a more compelling university application profile
Potentially earn college credit before even setting foot on campus

AP courses are particularly valuable for students planning to study in the United States, but they also support broader global university ambitions.

How AP Fits into Secondary Education

It is worth being clear about one thing: AP is not a standalone diploma. It is designed to complement other programmes, such as a US High School Diploma, A-Levels, the IB Diploma Programme, or other national curricula.

Students usually begin AP courses in the final two to three years of secondary school. Some students start earlier, depending on readiness and how their school structures the programme.

At Collège du Léman, for example, students pursue a combination of AP and regular classes within a two-year High School Diploma. Philip Shaw, previous AP Coordinator at the school, described it this way:

“AP introduces students to a whole different way of working and gives them a taster of what’s to come at university. Collège du Léman offers 19 APs so a student can really specialise.”

How AP Prepares Students for Tertiary Study

One of the strongest arguments for AP courses is how directly they mirror the experience of university study. This is not just a marketing claim. The structure, pace, and expectations of AP courses are genuinely designed with higher education in mind.

Academic Rigor and College Readiness

AP courses are academically demanding. Students are expected to:

Complete advanced readings and independent assignments
Engage with complex subject material at a fast pace
Prepare thoroughly for high-stakes final exams

The teaching style tends to be more lecture-based, similar to what students will encounter at university. This level of challenge helps students transition more smoothly into higher education once they get there.

Critical Thinking and Independent Learning Skills

Beyond subject knowledge, AP builds essential skills that serve students well beyond the classroom:

Critical thinking and analysis
Time management and personal organisation
Independent study habits and self-motivation

These are not just useful for exams. They are skills that universities expect from day one, and that future employers value highly.

AP vs. IB Diploma Programme

Many families compare AP with the IB Diploma Programme when choosing an academic pathway. But it’s not really about one or the other. Their different structures may appeal to different kinds of learners but an IB student can most certainly complement their Diploma with AP courses, in just the way students in the US or other countries complement their high school diplomas with AP courses.

Curriculum Structure Differences

If your child is following the IB and thinking about preparing one or more APs, it is worth understanding their different approaches.

AP is flexible and subject-based. Students choose individual courses based on their interests and goals, and can take as few as one or as many as several.
IB Diploma is a structured two-year programme requiring students to study six subjects across different areas, plus core components including an Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge.

The IB provides a broad, balanced education that develops skills across many disciplines. The AP allows students to specialise early in areas they genuinely love.

Assessment and Grading Comparisons

The two programmes assess students in noticeably different ways:

	AP	IB Diploma
Assessment type	Primarily final exam	Mix of coursework and final exams
Grading scale	1 to 5	Up to 45 points
Coursework weighting	Low	Significant
Final exam weighting	High	Moderate

AP places greater weight on final exam performance. IB evaluates students continuously over two years, which suits learners who prefer a more gradual, coursework-based approach.

Which Students Benefit More from APs

The right choice depends on the individual student and their goals for tertiary study. AP tends to work well for students who:

Perform strongly in exam settings
Want to specialise in specific subjects they are passionate about
Are targeting US universities and want to earn college credit
Have professional extracurricular commitments (such as competitive sports) and prefer a schedule without continuous coursework deadlines

AP as College Credit in the US and Beyond

One of the most compelling advantages of AP courses is the opportunity to earn university credit before even starting university. For families weighing the cost and duration of higher education, this is worth understanding in detail.

How AP Scores Translate to University Credits in the US

In many US universities, strong AP exam scores can lead to:

Earning college credit for specific subjects
Placement into higher-level courses, skipping introductory classes
A reduced overall course load during the first year

Generally, a score of 3 or higher may qualify a student for credit, although top universities often require scores of 4 or 5. The financial implications can be significant. One student at Collège du Léman earned five APs in relevant subjects, which together counted as the equivalent of an entire first year of college study.

It is worth noting, however, that AP credit should not be the only reason to encourage a student to take these courses. The college will also consider the student’s Grade Point Average. If a student does not perform well in an AP course, it can affect the overall weighting of their GPA in a way that may actually harm their application.

AP Recognition by Universities Outside the US

AP is increasingly recognised well beyond the United States:

UK universities often equate AP results to A-Levels and may make conditional offers based on AP scores. Russell Group universities, for example, may require three APs with the highest grade of five.
European universities frequently have their own specific requirements around the number of AP subjects and the grades achieved.
International universities broadly view a strong AP transcript as evidence of academic seriousness.

The key difference from the US is that universities outside America are more likely to specify which AP subjects are required and at what grade level.

Tips for Maximizing AP College Credit

To make the most of the credit opportunities AP offers:

Research university requirements early, ideally before choosing which AP subjects to take
Select subjects that align with your intended area of university study
Aim for scores of 4 or 5 where possible, particularly for competitive programmes
Plan your AP schedule across multiple years rather than taking too many at once
Balance your workload carefully so your overall academic performance stays strong

AP courses can give students a valuable head start by earning university credit and strengthening their applications both in the US and internationally.

Advantages of AP for Students

The top benefits of taking AP courses extend well beyond preparing for a single exam.

Enhanced Academic Profile for University Applications

Taking AP courses sends a clear message to admissions teams. It demonstrates:

Academic ambition and a willingness to pursue challenging material
The ability to handle university-level coursework while still in school
A genuine commitment to a subject area or field of study

This can meaningfully strengthen applications to competitive institutions, both in the US and internationally.

Broader Academic Exploration and Subject Discovery

AP gives students the freedom to explore subjects at a depth that goes well beyond a typical secondary school curriculum. In the classroom and through independent study, students have the opportunity to:

Dive deep into a subject they are already passionate about
Uncover interests they never knew they had
Experience what it genuinely feels like to study a field seriously

Students who arrive at university with a clear sense of what excites them academically tend to make more confident decisions about their degree and future career path.

Personal Growth and Development Beyond the Classroom

Taking on a genuinely challenging course builds a kind of confidence that is hard to teach directly. Students who complete AP courses often come away having experienced:

A stronger sense of resilience and the ability to handle academic pressure
Greater ownership over their own learning and study habits
The confidence that comes from having done something difficult and succeeded

These qualities serve students well not just at university, but throughout their personal and professional lives.

Conclusions

Advanced Placement courses offer a flexible and academically rigorous pathway for students preparing for university, allowing them to specialise in subjects they enjoy, strengthen their academic profile, and gain real experience with college-level study before leaving secondary school.

For families considering different academic routes, AP can be a strong option when it is aligned with a student’s strengths, goals, and future plans, supported by thoughtful guidance from teachers, course coordinators, and experienced academic support providers such as TutorsPlus.

About the Author:

Sandra Steiger has over 10 years of experience teaching English at various schools in Switzerland. During her 6 years at the International School of Geneva, she was Service Learning programme Coordinator, Homeroom Mentor and Head of Year. She now works as a teacher trainer as well as as Education Advisor at TutorsPlus.

FAQ

How do AP courses help with university preparation?

AP introduces students to college-level academics, builds essential study skills, and prepares them for the expectations they will face in higher education. Students who complete AP courses often find the transition to university noticeably easier.

Do AP courses have prerequisites?

Officially, there are no prerequisites for AP courses. However, many schools recommend prior knowledge or preparatory study in certain subjects. For example, at Collège du Léman, students are expected to complete the Honours class in Grade 11 before taking AP subjects such as Physics, Biology, Chemistry, English, or Art.

How many AP courses should my child take?

Most students take one to three AP courses per year, with one generally manageable and two already quite demanding. Some universities outside the US may require up to five AP courses for certain programmes, so it is worth checking requirements early.

Can AP courses earn college credit?

Yes. Many universities award credit for qualifying AP exam scores, typically a score of 3 or higher. Top universities often require a 4 or 5. In some cases, students can skip introductory courses entirely and begin at a more advanced level.

Are AP courses recognised internationally?

Yes, especially in the US, UK, and many international universities. However, requirements vary. Some institutions will specify which AP subjects they accept and at what grade, so it is important to check with each university directly.

How do AP courses differ from the IB Diploma Programme?

AP offers flexible subject choices with a strong focus on exam-based assessment, while IB is a structured two-year programme combining coursework and exams across six subjects. AP allows earlier specialisation, whereas IB provides a broader academic experience.

Who benefits most from AP courses?

AP suits students who are academically strong, self-motivated, and genuinely interested in specific subjects. It also works well for those who perform confidently in exams and prefer a more flexible structure without ongoing coursework deadlines.

What are the main benefits of taking AP courses?

AP courses offer the opportunity to earn college credit before university, strengthen applications, develop advanced skills such as critical thinking and independent study, and gain early exposure to university-level content and expectations.

How can parents support their child in AP courses?

Parents can support their child by encouraging strong study habits, guiding time management, and ensuring access to the right resources or tutoring, while staying engaged and maintaining open communication with teachers throughout the year.

Advanced Placement (AP) Courses: Guide for Parents and Students