Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement (AP) is a program in the United States that offers middle school classes in a high school. It claims to give you credit for colleges and universities, when, in reality, not all colleges and universities will accept you simply because you took a course from them. They've started to appear more often as recently as the late 2010s, in an attempt to make kids in America more smarter. Despite claiming to make high schoolers intelligent, in reality, it gives you slightly biased opinions from experts from the College Board. It also doesn't have a good presence in Reddit. Also, it tries too hard to be the American version of A levels in the UK.
Not only has this program existed in America since the '50s, but it also apparently exists in Canada, some military bases elsewhere, and even other countries. While the exams fee is $97, if you live in another country it costs higher than that. Depending on your view, it could be easy, or hard. But it's still biased nevertheless.
==How does it work?==
Basically you'll be taught whatever's in the course. By the time the exam season starts, you'll now end up reviewing content for that course and will take that exam in May. After the exam ends, you either get to make up work for other classes, review content for the Regents, or do something that you think is fun for your students that are in this course. You could combine any of these. If you miss that exam, you have to wait until next year to take the exam. All course exams will always have a multiple-choice section. Others will force you to write something. In some cases, you have to submit something online. Unsurprisingly, the College Board recently banned AI tools such as ChatGPT and Dall-E to submit things, which basically means you need to make up your mind if you really want to submit something.
You have a choice of sending your AP scores to colleges. But what if you don't really want to? They claim that not doing so would lower your chances into going to a prestigious college.
== Courses ==
There are 37 courses and exams through the AP program. They used to give courses for non-English language speakers, French literature, Latin literature, and a few physics classes. Asides from that, courses are added very infrequently, most likely due to the amount of ridiculous ideas brought in by teachers across the country.
=== Arts ===
==== AP Art and Design ====
Formerly known as AP Studio Art, it is a series of courses that are divided into three categories: 2-D Art and Design, 3-D Art and Design, and Drawing. However, unlike most of the other courses, you're supposed to submit a portfolio of your work online. In 2-D Art and Design, it basically deals with two-dimensional applications like graphic design (e.g. Photoshop), photography, weaving and collage. Instead of the composition of the artwork, it focuses on the design of your work. Section I is based on how good your 5 drawings are, Section II is where you have to use a software like PowerPoint in order to present your work, and Section III is where you have to demonstrate the student's ability to incorporate basically everything that they learned. Most students in this course get a 3/5, so this means that they have some decent work but it's kinda messy.
In 3-D Art and Design, you actually don't need to physically transport your portfolio to the College Board headquarters, so that's a good thing, but again, that's not saying much. This basically deals with applications like metalworking, sculpting, computer models and ceramics.
Meanwhile, in AP Drawing, it is based on the composition of the artwork that you've done. You don't need to do a physical slideshow for anything.
Of course, you're not allowed to use any AI art websites or anything because these guys really think that AI art is fraudulent.
==== AP Art ====
Another art history course taught by these guys, you'll need to study and examine art in the perspective of an art critic. Most of the exam will have questions pertaining to art produced in Europe and the Americas in the 20th century, while you wouldn't see a lot of questions related to ancient art, African and Pacific art.
==== AP Music ====
The only music course that the College Board has for musicians. You'll mostly learn about harmonies, but not as much with forms and modes. During the exam, the proctor will play a CD and you'll hear a stimulus or a recording. However, if you're deaf, or tone deaf, then there's no way that you're ever going to ace the first portion of the test, unless you have a hearing aid, no offense. Section II consists of three parts. The first part is another listening part in which the student must accurately record the pitch and value of the notes played. Next, you have to dictate harmonics. You'll also have to write as well. Finally, you'll need to do sight-singing, which actually means you have to perform two melodies, one at a time, unless you really can't speak or sing at all.
=== English ===
==== AP English Language ====
This course is usually given to high school juniors. Also, it appears to be the most taken course in AP history. You'll write a lot of essays in this course. There are 45 multiple-choice questions, in which there are 4 passages. However, the most major part of the exam is the free-response writing section. The first part is where you need to annotate and read three prompts. The second part will need students to consider a scenario, however, you don't need to cite all sources for a passing score. Then, you'll need to write an analysis essay about a short passage. Finally, you have to argue in a paragraph or more. Even though it's the most popular course in the AP program, most students get a 2/5 on the exam.
==== AP Lit ====
After you're finished with AP English Language, you'll move on to AP Lit in case you really want to be interested in writing essays. Most of the exam is based on short stories, but not as much as longer stories or drama. People mistook this course as AP English Language, but they're not the same. 
=== History ===
==== AP CoGo ====
In this course, you'll have to compare 6 country governments. The countries are Nigeria, Iran, China, Я, the United Kingdom and Mexico. You were originally going to do France and India but that's not going to happen. Again, you have your multiple choice section but this time there's 4 parts in the free response section. There are three questions, and you'll have to write one argument essay. Most of the exam talks about political institutions, but the least would have to go to political culture.
==== AP Euro ====
See also: AP European History
This course talks about European history. Basically, a reskin of AP US History, but it takes place in Europe. However, it begins in The Renaissance for no good reason, meaning you've really missed out on what happened before that happened. Then, you'll need to write essays in the end, just like in every single AP history course ever. Yikes.
==== AP Human Geo ====
Maps. Maps are everywhere. In all seriousness, though, thinking geographically for a long time wouldn't matter that much in the exam anyways, since that's only 8-10% of the material there. It is one of the few courses that somehow manages to make students less smarter when you take it, unless you really have a really good memory of said course. Literally a majority of exam takers will get a 1/5 when they get their scores back. Seriously, don't take this course if you want to get into a good college. If you are really interested in maps then you could take it. We're not forcing you not to take it.
==== AP Macro ====
This basically talks about the performance and structure of the economy. In a nutshell, basic economy things. However, in this course, it's more than that. You're allowed to use a calculator for the exam. A majority of the topics covered will be about inflation and unemployment. But you won't see a lot of economic growth topics. There's more multiple choice questions than free response ones. The exam has been criticized for not covering recent advances in macroeconomics, and largely focuses on the 60s and 70s.
==== AP Micro ====
The ones that you don't see a lot in the economy sphere. Most of the course talks about production and cost, but not a lot when it talks about market failure. Unlike most other courses in this list, this course has been proven to be easy with a majority of exam takers getting 4/5 on average.
==== AP Psych ====
This course is for students who want to be psychologists when they grow up. Cognitive psychology is talked a lot in this course, while sensation and perception is talked about the least. There's two free response questions in the end. However, this is one of the more difficult courses, so this is basically the AP Human Geo of all health courses.
==== AP Gov ====
This one talks about the American government. Interactions among branches are a major part of the course, while political beliefs would be a minor part of it. You'll need to read a total of 14 cases, and a total of nine documents. Again, this one is a hard course.
==== APUSH ====
See also: AP United States History
A course that Conservapedia wouldn't even endorse because it does not have the conservative viewpoints of some politicians. Like other courses that have been mentioned in this article, this one is hard as well. Also, it's kinda biased. The first and last time periods aren't talked about a lot.
==== AP World ====
This one specifically talks about the modern world. This time, the first and last two time periods aren't talked about a lot in the course. Not to mention, it's a copy of both AP Euro and APUSH. However, unlike the last course, APUSH, it's slightly easier.
=== Math and Computer Science ===
==== AP Precalculus ====
This course is designed for those who think Calculus is a very hard subject. However, we don't know what topics will be talked about the most and least, since this one was just added.
==== AP CompSci ====
Originally, there were case studies in this course. It also used to teach students Pascal, and then C++. Now it teaches Java. The course is actually very easy if you pay attention in it, with a majority of students getting a perfect 5 on the exam on average. Most of the course talks about iteration, but not about ArrayList.
==== APSCP ====
AP Computer Science Principles is basically AP Computer Science except that a majority of its lessons are in Code.org. A majority of its lesson comes from the programming part of things and computing innovations, but not creative development and abstraction. Also, it teaches students JavaScript instead. However, unlike AP CompSci, this one is slightly harder. Unlike that, you'll basically need to code an app. Before this was implemented, you'll have to do a presentation. But since previous takers of said course thought that it was boring and had nothing to do with that they learned, College Board decided to change it so that you could create your own apps. Obviously, you can't use AI to create code for your app. Also, the exam is always multiple choice.
==== AP Calc ====
This has not one, but two parts. AP Calculus AB is meant to be an introductory course to calculus. You'll notice that a majority of the exam has questions related to Unit 6, but not Unit 7. Even though it's meant to be an introductory course, a majority of takers on average get a 2/5 on this part. Meanwhile, AP Calculus BC is an extended version of AP Calculus AB, however, unlike AP Calculus AB, while Unit 6 is talked more, the first three units won't be covered a lot. Despite claiming itself to be a really hard course, it isn't, as on average a majority of exam takers get a perfect score on it.
==== AP Stats ====
This is meant to be a college-level statistics course. It's offered to sophomores, juniors and seniors in high school. It'll mostly talk about probability, but not the final two units. It has been considered to be slightly difficult, because as mentioned, it's meant to be for those who are college-ready.
=== Science ===
==== AP Bio ====
Biology, except you learn more about natural selection but not Unit 1 and heredity. It also claims to have a greater focus on "scientific practices". You'll need to do things that are in your average AP exam, aka the format known as "multiple choice first, essays last".
==== AP Chem ====
Intermolecular forces are talked about the most in their version of chemistry. Also, according to Wikipedia, apparently, it has the lowest test participation rate of all courses, even though a majority of takers get a 4/5 on average. Wait until you see one of the language courses they offer.
==== APES ====
Before 2019, pollution would be talked about the most. Now global change gets talked about the most, especially climate change, but not the first two topics. This one is also slightly easy...
==== AP Physics ====
There are three versions of AP Physics. In Physics 1, it talks a lot about energy the most, with simple harmonic motion being the least. AP Physics 2, on the other hand, talks about electric force, field and potential the most, with Units 1 and 5 being talked about the least. It has been considered that AP Physics 2 is more easier than AP Physics 1, and both are algebra-based. AP Physics C is different and is rooted on calculus. It'll talk about electrostatics the most and conductors, capacitators and dielectrics the least when you're referring to the Electricity and Magnetism part of this course. There's another version of AP Physics C, this time on Mechanics. Obviously it will talk about Isaac Newton the most, since he's the figure of physics, but not about oscillations and gravitation. Both versions of AP Physics C are easy, but Electricity and Magnetism is considered to be more easier.
=== World languages ===
==== AP Spanish Literature and Culture ====
This is the only foreign language literature and culture course the AP guys have, as they don't have French and Latin versions anymore. It has a required reading list, and the course, obviously, is meant to be in Spanish. These are the names of the units:
* Unit 1: En el centro (In the middle)
* Unit 2: Años de nacimiento (Years of birth)
* Unit 3: Adulto (Adult)
* Unit 4: Literatura romántica, realista y original (Romantic, realistic and original literature)
* Unit 5: 98 generaciones y hoy (98 generations and today)
* Unit 6: Un siglo de teatro y poesía (A century of theater and poetry)
* Unit 7: Avivamiento en sudamerica (Revival in South America)
* Unit 8: Autores contemporáneos de USA y España (Contemporary authors from USA and Spain)
==== AP Language and Culture ====
The AP guys have 7 options for languages for you to take: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin and Spanish. They're also claiming to work on a Russian version. Unlike AP Spanish Literature and Culture, these units don't have names translated. Also, the unit names are the same every time you take a language course.
In AP Chinese, due to the amount of Asian people taking this course, a majority of them ace very well in this course, thus it has become easy to pass it. So is AP Japanese, even though its the course with the least amount of students in the country. AP French, AP German, AP Italian, AP Latin and AP Spanish are considered to be a somewhat balanced course in terms of score averages in its exams, however in AP Spanish you do not need a CD player to record your audio responses, rather you'll need mp3 files.
== Is it worth it to take an AP class? ==
No. Seriously, no. If you take an exam, you'll have to wait until it's over, unlike the Regents exam where you can leave after you're done with your exam. Additionally, even though it gives you credit for colleges, in recent years, the exam quality has dropped in order to convince people to take AP classes and to make it as Regents-easy as possible. Although, the only good part about it is that some exams can take an entire school day, so that after you're finished you can leave and you don't need to take any classes at all.
If you think that AP classes can give you credit for colleges...think again.
== See also ==
* Torture
* Pain
* Depression
* Garbage
* Boredom
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