AP vs Honors Classes: What is the Difference?

If you’re a high school student, odds are you’ve heard the terms “AP” and “Honors classes” before. But what exactly do these terms mean, and how do you decide which curriculum is best for you? In this post, we’ll delve into the differences between AP vs Honors classes to help you decide which path to venture down. We’ll take into consideration the differences between these courses, their difficulty levels, and how much they factor into your college prospects and beyond. Let’s begin!

AP vs Honors classes…which should I take?

When deciding whether to take AP vs Honors classes, it’s important to consider their similarities and differences before determining which option is right for you. For starters, while both are higher-level courses and include rigorous material, AP is typically considered a step above Honors. AP courses are considered college-level—thus why they’re able to be used for college credit. By contrast, Honors-level courses are considered more rigorous than regular courses but still at the high school level.

That said, the availability of Honors vs AP courses varies widely from school to school. According to the College Board, some high schools let “any student enroll in an AP course as long as the student has taken the recommended prerequisite courses.” Other schools restrict AP course offerings to upper-level students. Perhaps you’ve noticed that AP Courses are only offered your junior year and senior year of high school, while Honors courses are offered all four years. In some cases, taking Honors classes will help you score a seat in those more exclusive AP classes. This is school-dependent, so we recommend speaking with your guidance counselor about which course is right for you.

Ultimately, if both types of classes are available to you, AP is typically the way to go.

What are AP classes, anyway?

AP stands for Advanced Placement. These courses provide high school students with a rigorous curriculum reflective of that of a college-level course. AP classes across the country follow the guidelines set out by the College Board. At the end of the school year, AP students take an AP exam, on which they’ll receive a score of 1 to 5. 5 is the highest score possible. These scores may be accepted by universities for college credit, which could potentially reduce your tuition bill. More college credit + reduced tuition = win, win!

There are 40 AP classes offered by the CollegeBoard, covering a wide range of subjects in the arts, English, history, social sciences, math, computer science, natural and physical sciences, and world languages. Some of the most popular include AP English Literature, AP Macroeconomics and Microeconomics, AP United States Government and Politics, AP US History, AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Bio, AP Chem, and AP Computer Science.

Another factor when deciding to take AP vs Honors classes? The average number of AP course offerings at U.S. high schools is eight, so it’s very possible that your school may offer more Honors classes than AP classes. However, if your school does not offer an AP course that you wish to take, it may still be possible for you to arrange to take the exam. This typically involves self-studying or taking the course through a College Board-accredited provider. Then, you’ll take the AP exam at a neighboring school. This may be a good option if you are passionate about a subject and wish to obtain college credit in that particular area prior to matriculating.

When are AP Exams offered?

AP Exams are given every year in May. Scores are typically released in early-to-mid July. For more information on when scores are released—as well as what you might do to keep you occupied while you wait—check out When Do AP Scores Come Out?

How much does my AP Exam score matter?

In general, 4s and 5s will strengthen your application while 1s, 2s, and 3s may have a negative impact, even if you ultimately received an A in the course. Accordingly, we encourage you to study hard for the AP exams and try your best. High scores can also save you time and money down the line, as scores of 3+ are typically eligible for college credit.

Additionally, scoring highly on multiple exams can earn you certain awards from the CollegeBoard. These awards include AP Scholar (3 or higher on 3 or more AP exams), AP Scholar with Honor (3 or higher on at least 4 exams, with an average score of 3.25), and AP Scholar with Distinction (3 or higher on at least 5 exams, with an average score of 3.5). All are national-level awards that you can include in the “Honors” section of your college applications.

However, let’s say it’s July, you just got your AP Psych scores back, and…uh oh. Before you panic, rest assured that AP scores are not required on most college applications. Plus, you can choose which scores you report.

Okay, what are Honors classes?

Unlike AP courses, which the College Board standardizes, Honors courses typically follow a curriculum set by your school district. You might think of these as the next level up from your regular coursework. While Honors classes are designed to be challenging, they are not considered college-level courses like AP classes. Another important difference between AP vs Honors classes? Your final exam scores in Honors classes will not be counted for college credit.

What about IB classes?

In addition to Honors vs. AP classes, many students now have IB classes to think about, too. In recent years, the IB (International Baccalaureate) program has grown in popularity. Now, it’s offered at more schools than ever. Some high schools offer the IB program in addition to, or in place of, the typical Honors and AP courses.

There are a few key differences between IB and AP courses. For one, the IB program takes a global approach—hence the “international” in its name. For another, IB programs are not confined to a single course. To obtain an IB diploma, students take several IB courses in tandem. Just like with the AP classes, a qualifying score on an IB Exam may count toward college credit.

Additionally, the IB takes a holistic approach to learning. Rather than multiple-choice tests, the IB prides itself on an inquiry-based approach that includes group projects, in-depth explorations on subjects, and comprehensive essays.

Do colleges care about AP vs Honors classes?

The short answer: yes. Colleges want to see that you’ve pushed yourself academically. This includes taking higher-level courses that demonstrate your ability to tackle challenging coursework. These advanced classes have another benefit as well: they are often weighted in your GPA.

For example, a common weighting scheme involves adding 0.5 points to your GPA for an Honors class and 1 point for an AP class. Under this grading scheme, a student who earns As in all AP classes will rank higher than a student who earns As in all Honors classes. Moreover, both will rank higher than a student who earns As in all regular classes. Class rank is one of the key components that colleges use to measure your academic performance compared to that of your peers.

However, not all schools or districts use this weighting system. Some schools don’t use weighted GPAs at all! When in doubt, refer to your student handbook for how your high school calculates your GPA and class rank.

Should I take both AP and Honors classes?

Yes! Regardless of how many AP classes you take, we recommend that you mix in other advanced-level courses to bolster your admissions profile.

Colleges—particularly the elite ones—want to see that you avail yourself of all the opportunities at your disposal. This includes taking advanced-level coursework, enrolling in extracurriculars that show your passions, and making use of those summer months to continue exploring your interests. The average student who gets into Harvard or Yale will have taken a majority of AP courses available to them. Your high school curriculum, including the number of AP or Honors courses you’ve taken, is a key factor in your admissions profile.

AP vs Honors – Final Thoughts

When it comes to applying to college, few factors matter more in admissions than your high school coursework. Colleges want to see that you’ve pushed yourself where possible and made use of all the resources available to you. In many cases, these resources include higher-level courses like AP and Honors.

When evaluating whether to take Honors vs AP courses, we recommend looking at your schedule as a whole. How rigorous is it? Have you pushed yourself where you can? Have you overextended yourself? Remember to account for your extracurricular activities and any other time commitments. AP and Honors courses are demanding in terms of how many study hours they require. If you’re preparing to sit for an AP exam, ensure that you dedicate enough study hours to achieve a score that could potentially earn your college credit.