The Advanced Placement program is an initiative offered by the College Board, which gives students the chance to take university-level classes while in high school. Currently, there are 38 AP courses in seven subject areas, and each session is modeled on a similar college course. At the end of each AP course, students are required to take a standardized college-level assessment or AP Exam. Are you thinking of participating in the AP program but can’t seem to get off of the fence? Don’t worry; we will help you decide. Keep reading to learn about four benefits of taking Advanced Placement courses.

Build skills and confidence.

AP students learn the essential study skills needed for college and career success. Students dig deeper into subjects that are of interest to them and learn to tap their creativity and their problem-solving skills to solve course challenges. This helps them to build confidence in their ability, which will pay dividends when they enter college or the workplace. The AP experience also helps former students tap into a growth mindset during challenging times and times of uncertainty.

Get into college.

Students who enroll in AP courses show colleges that they’re serious about their education and that they’re willing to challenge themselves with challenging coursework. 85% of selective institutions report that a student’s AP experience positively impacts admission decisions. Being an AP student doesn’t make you a shoo-in for your college of choice, but it certainly helps make you a competitive candidate.

Success in college.

Research studies show that students who receive a score of 3 and above on AP Exams experience more academic success in college and have higher graduation rates than their non-AP peers. This is proof that the AP program does an outstanding job of preparing participants for the rigors of college.

Save time and money in college.

Research has shown that students who participate in AP courses and exams are more likely than their classmates to finish a college degree on time. Most institutions nationwide offer college credit, advanced placement, or both for qualifying AP Exam scores.

Well, that does it for this brief piece on the benefits of the AP exam. If you know of any additional benefits, please leave them in the comments section below.