AP and IB Exams are Important for All Students, Especially Seniors
For high school seniors, the final year is a whirlwind of emotions, responsibilities, and decisions. While balancing extracurriculars, college applications, and social life, there's one thing many seniors grapple with towards the end of their high school careers—whether or not to take AP or IB exams. These exams, along with dual enrollment courses, can be game-changers for your academic and financial future as the credits may transfer and place you ahead in your college career.
Why Course Rigor Matters in Senior Year
Your senior year is your last chance to showcase how prepared you are for the challenges of higher education. Adding challenging courses like AP, IB, or dual enrollment to your schedule is an excellent way to demonstrate academic rigor to colleges. Admissions officers want proof that you are capable of handling college-level work, and excelling in these courses can set you apart from other candidates.
But it’s not just about standing out. These courses also prepare you for the demands of college life—sharpening your critical thinking, essay writing, and time management skills. By tackling rigorous material now, you are giving yourself a head start for what’s to come when you step onto your college campus.
Earning College Credits with Exams
Imagine entering college and skipping some of the generic general education courses that everyone else takes. Sounds appealing… Right? This is one of the biggest benefits of taking AP, IB, and/or dual enrollment courses in high school.
Many colleges and universities award credits to students who perform well on AP and IB exams. Scoring a 4 or 5 on an AP exam, for example, could mean earning the equivalent of one college class’s worth of credits (sometimes 3 or 6 for high scores in tough AP classes). IB exams work similarly, with higher-level (HL) courses often translating into credit. Dual enrollment takes this one step further because the credits earned in these programs are automatically college-level, provided they're accepted by the institution you plan to attend.
The result? When you start your college career, you could already have several credits under your belt. This could mean entering as a second-semester freshman—or even a sophomore—giving you an edge on everyone else.
Save Money and Graduate Faster
It’s no secret that college is expensive. Between tuition, textbooks, and housing, the costs quickly add up. However, by earning college credits in high school, you can save thousands of dollars.
Here’s how it works:
If your AP, IB, or dual enrollment credits cover your general education courses, you won’t need to pay for them in college. This can significantly lower your overall tuition bill. Two years ago, I had a student who earned 60 credits via the George Mason policy before ever enrolling. Technically, they would have entered as a second semester sophomore or a first semester junior depending on the major selected.
With the credits you have earned, you might be able to graduate in three years instead of four. Since colleges charge by the year or per credit hour, this can mean huge savings in tuition and living expenses. Alternatively, you can use the extra room in your schedule to take more specialized classes, study abroad, or work an internship—all while staying within four years. Over time, these savings—both financial and time-related—add up and put you ahead of the game. Here is a quick comparison chart to think about the differences between a few institutions and here is the search tool via CollegeBoard to look up each school’s policies.
How to Make the Most of These Opportunities
If you’re considering AP, IB, or dual enrollment courses but aren’t sure where to start, here are a few steps to guide you in the right direction:
Understand College Policies
Research the colleges you are interested in and check their credit policies for AP, IB, or dual enrollment. Not all colleges award credit for every course or exam, so it’s best to know ahead of time. So better to grab all of the policy links from searching the CollegeBoard website and go into all years, but especially senior year with the intention of doing well and taking the AP, IB, or final exams in your dual enrollment classes.
Prepare Thoroughly
Success in these rigorous courses requires effort. Don’t wait until the last minute—work on understanding the material throughout the year, and consider practice exams to get comfortable with the format. You do not want to show a college that you are taking an AP class, but then not taking the AP exam. To protect your acceptance to an institution be sure to
Beyond the Tangible Benefits
While the financial perks and time savings of these programs are huge, they also offer less-obvious but equally important benefits. By challenging yourself academically, you’ll build a sense of accomplishment and confidence. Earning high scores in these advanced courses and exams can prove to yourself—and others—that you’re capable of thriving in a competitive academic environment.
Additionally, taking these exams can introduce you to a community of like-minded peers who value academic growth and hard work. Whether discussing complex theories in class or celebrating after exams, these shared experiences can deepen your friendships and connections.
Wrapping It Up
Taking AP, IB, and dual enrollment courses—and their accompanying exams—can seem daunting. But when you weigh the benefits, the payoff is more than worth it. You’ll save money, build essential skills, and open doors to opportunities that can shape your academic and professional future.
At the end of the day, it’s about setting yourself up for success. The decisions you make now will impact the direction of your college experience—and life beyond the classroom.
Bonus Tip: Start making a list of colleges you're interested in and check their policies for AP, IB, and dual enrollment credits. This small step can make a big difference when planning your academic future.
If you have questions or need guidance on how to select the best courses or exams for your goals, reach out to your school counselor or us at College Flight Path. Email hello@collegeflightpath.com, book a 15-minute call or onboarding meeting. Remember, this is your chance to shine—embrace it!
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