AP courses are advanced, college-level subjects developed by the American College Board — they let students take selected subjects at a more demanding level while still in high school. They are sometimes required when applying to specific fields of study (for example, a top university may expect a medical-school candidate to have completed an advanced-level subject — Honors or AP — in biology).

It’s worth distinguishing between completing an AP course and sitting the AP exam: some universities require only course completion, while others also expect a qualifying exam score. Students who achieve a qualifying score on the AP exam may receive college credits — which at many universities in the US and worldwide can shorten their studies or reduce the number of courses required in the first year.

AP courses are also a strong asset in admissions — they show that a student takes on academic challenges and is ready for university-level work.