- Are you staying in-state or are you going out of state for college?
- What degree do you plan on getting?
- How good are you at test taking? Do you have test anxiety?
- Are you leaning towards a Public or Private College?
- Does your high school offer the classes you want to take in dual credit/AP?
- Is there a local community college you can take dual credit at?
- How does your state handle AP's and dual credit?
- Can you afford the AP tests?
AP | Dual Credit |
| Expensive if your school doesn't offer a fee waiver. $94 without fee waiver over college board. At my school it is $25 per test but if you take 4 test it is still $100. AP Fees | Mostly free and only expense is material like books |
| Accepted at every state school if you have a score of 3 or better. Some schools even take 2's. Most private Universities do except AP credits but often times they only accept certain tests and certain scores. Many don't take the World History credit and certain languages. For example, this link for the score sheet of Trinity University. AP Scores at Trinity | Accepted at most state schools such as University of Texas- San Antonio and at some private Universities too, but not accepted at most prestigious schools such as Ivy League schools. |
| Many schools do not offer AP classes or AP tests but you do not have to be enrolled in an AP class to take an AP test. I never was enrolled in AP German Language & Culture but I took the test and got a 5. If you are fluent in any language AP offers a test in I recommend you look at the structure of the test and maybe study that and take it. Also if you are in a class that is not AP but feel like you understand it for example US history maybe buy a Princeton Review book and study the test on your own time. That is what I am doing with Psychology! Princeton Review Books | Many schools do not offer dual credit but if you have a community college close to where you live you are entitled to take classes there that transfer to your high school for credit. Community Colleges actually reserve spots for high school students and if you meet the eligibility requirements you should talk to your counselor about enrolling there. Example Community College Programs |
| Is accepted at almost all institutions no matter what state. | Often is not excepted if you go out of state. |
| Can help you finish of core requirements in high school. | Can help you graduate with an associates degree from high school. |
| Requires you to score a certain score on a test to get credit, which someone with test anxiety might find hard. | Requires college level course work and the meeting of deadlines as set by your Professor. |
| If you fail it colleges won't hold it against you and you can retake the tests anytime you want to and if you pass then you'll still get credit. | If you fail the class it will go on your college transcript and affect you college GPA. |
| AP tests scores can look good on your college application, especially high scores. I actually am an AP Scholar which is an award you get if you pass 3 or more AP test. I put this under the awards section on all my applications. | Dual credit shows colleges you took more rigorous courses and also makes you look good. |
| AP classes give you more weight in your GPA. This means that if you have a 90 in a class in your GPA it will actually be calculated as a 100. | Dual credit gives you more weight than regular classes but not as much as AP classes. If you have a 90 it will b a 95 in your GPA. |
| Some school require you to have a teacher recommendation to enter an AP class. | Some states, like Texas, require you to pass a test before you can take dual credit. Required Tests for each State |
| There are a limited amount of AP tests in certain subject areas and test so there are only so many classes and tests you can take. AP Courses and Test | A community college probably offers more course than AP's because they already have the courses there for students to finish an associates degree. |
I hope this chart helps you! Thank you for reading!
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