If you are a high school student, you may be faced with the decision of whether to take regular World History or Advanced Placement (AP) World History. Both courses cover world history, but there are some key differences between them that may affect your decision.
What is AP World History?
AP World History is an advanced course that covers world history from prehistory to the present day. It is designed to be challenging and rigorous, and it is intended for students who are interested in pursuing college-level work while still in high school.
The Benefits of Taking AP World History
There are several benefits to taking AP World History:
- College Credit: If you score well on the AP exam at the end of the course, you may be able to earn college credit for the course.
- College Preparation: Taking an AP course can help prepare you for the rigors of college coursework.
- Higher GPA: Many high schools weight AP courses more heavily than regular courses when calculating GPAs. This means that taking an AP course could boost your GPA.
- Stand Out on College Applications: Taking an AP course shows colleges that you are willing to challenge yourself academically.
The Challenges of Taking AP World History
While there are many benefits to taking AP World History, there are also some challenges:
- Workload: AP courses are designed to be challenging and rigorous, so expect a heavy workload. You will need to be prepared for a lot of reading, writing, and studying.
- Faster Pace: The pace of an AP course is faster than a regular course.
You will need to keep up with the class and stay on top of your assignments.
- Different Teaching Style: Your teacher may teach differently in an AP course than in a regular course. You will need to be prepared to adapt to this different style of teaching.
- More Difficult Exams: The AP exam at the end of the course is more difficult than a regular final exam. You will need to be prepared to study and prepare for this exam.
What is Regular World History?
Regular World History covers world history from prehistory to the present day, but it is not as rigorous as AP World History. It is designed for students who are not interested in pursuing college-level work while still in high school.
The Benefits of Taking Regular World History
There are several benefits to taking Regular World History:
- Easier Workload: Regular courses have a lighter workload than AP courses, so you will have more free time.
- Less Stressful: Because regular courses are not as rigorous as AP courses, they can be less stressful.
- Easier Exams: Final exams in regular courses are usually easier than those in AP courses.
The Challenges of Taking Regular World History
While there are some benefits to taking regular world history, there are also some challenges:
- No College Credit: Unlike AP courses, regular courses do not offer the opportunity to earn college credit.
- No GPA Boost: Because regular courses are not weighted as heavily as AP courses, they will not boost your GPA as much.
- No College Preparation: Regular courses may not adequately prepare you for the rigors of college coursework.
So Which Course Should You Take?
The decision of whether to take regular or AP world history ultimately depends on your goals and interests. If you are interested in pursuing college-level work while still in high school and are willing to put in the extra time and effort, then AP World History may be the right choice for you. However, if you are not interested in pursuing college-level work or do not want to take on the extra workload and stress, then regular World History may be a better fit.
Ultimately, it is important to consider your goals, interests, and abilities when making a decision about which course to take. Talk to your guidance counselor or teacher for more information and guidance on this decision.