Advanced Placement (AP) Success Without Boundaries: Preparing for AP Exams with Online Courses

Advanced Placement (AP) courses represent a unique opportunity in American education: the chance to take college-level courses while still in high school. These courses conclude with standardized exams scored from 1 to 5, with scores of 3 or higher typically earning college credit. This means students can potentially enter college with credits already completed, saving both time and money on their degree.

Understanding limited AP access

Why do some schools offer few or no AP courses? The reasons are complex and often interconnected:

Teacher qualification requirements are stringent. AP teachers must complete specific training and certification processes, which can be costly for schools. Some schools, particularly in rural areas, struggle to find and retain qualified AP teachers.

Financial constraints play a major role. AP courses require specialized materials, textbooks, and lab equipment, especially for sciences. Schools must also pay annual fees to offer AP programs. In districts with limited budgets, these costs can be prohibitive.

Student enrollment numbers matter too. Schools need enough interested students to justify offering an AP course. In smaller schools, there might not be sufficient demand for more specialized subjects like AP Art History or AP Computer Science.

Some schools face difficult choices about resource allocation. When budgets are tight, they might prioritize other academic programs or essential services over expanding AP offerings.

The online solution: Breaking through barriers

This is where online AP courses become transformative. They eliminate many traditional barriers:

No need for local AP-certified teachers No requirements for minimum class sizes No expensive lab equipment or facilities Flexible scheduling that works around existing classes

Through online courses, students can access AP subjects regardless of their school's resources. A student at a rural school without AP Physics can take it online. Someone whose school dropped AP French due to low enrollment can continue their language studies. A student whose schedule conflicts with their school's AP Calculus class can take it at their own pace online.

The strategic value of AP courses

Beyond just earning college credits, AP courses serve multiple strategic purposes:

Academic growth

The rigor of AP courses helps develop college-ready skills like:

Critical thinking and analysis
Academic writing
Independent study habits
Time management
Complex problem-solving

College admissions advantage

College admissions officers view AP courses as evidence of:

Academic ambition
Willingness to challenge oneself
Ability to handle college-level work
Subject matter expertise

Financial benefits

The financial impact of AP credits can be substantial:

Each passed AP exam can save thousands in college tuition
Students can potentially graduate early, saving a semester or more of costs
More flexibility to add second majors or minors without extending time in college
Reduced student loan burden

Maximizing college credits through strategic AP planning

Smart AP course selection can significantly impact your college journey. Many universities offer substantial credits for high AP scores, but policies vary widely. Some key strategies include:

First, research credit policies at your target colleges. Some universities offer up to a full semester of credits for strong AP performance, while others might use AP scores for placement only. Understanding these policies helps prioritize which AP exams to pursue.

Second, focus on core subjects that commonly fulfill general education requirements. For example, AP Calculus and AP English Language credits often satisfy fundamental college requirements across many majors.

The self-directed learning advantage

Success in online AP courses requires strong self-study skills - a valuable asset for college and beyond. Effective self-directed learning involves:

Creating a structured study schedule that mirrors a traditional class format Using active recall techniques rather than passive reading Participating in online discussion groups or study communities Regular self-assessment through practice exams and quizzes

Our list of AP online courses

Back in 2019, we made a list of over 70 online courses covering almost every AP subject. Much has changed since. While there are still plenty of online courses specifically devoted to AP, a good handful have been delisted or archived.

In this updated list, we attempt to offset these delistings by adding courses that cover topics on AP exams. When you see AP subjects without AP-designated courses, you'll need to "glue" these courses together with outside resources. Such is the case for subjects like AP English (both lang and lit) and for AP U.S. History.

The College Board, which publishes AP exams, has helpful resources available for free. We also strongly recommend Khan Academy's AP resources to help supplement these courses and for exam preparation.

Mathematics and Computer Science

Mathematics forms the foundation of many college programs. Strong performance in these AP courses can place you ahead in your STEM journey or provide valuable analytical skills for any major.

AP Calculus (AB and BC)

Understanding key concepts and tackling challenging problems requires systematic practice. Online courses offer interactive tools and step-by-step problem solving.