Get Free Guides to Boost Your SAT/ACT Score. Meaning that you could potentially … AP Classes Are a Scam The College Board earns over half of all its revenues from the courses—and, in an uncertain environment, students keep being suckered. For the sake of these calculations, let’s say you’ve gotten straight A’s so far in high school. As a general rule, don't worry about an AP class knocking your usual grades down one half step—that is, an A to an A-, or an A- to a B+. Rather, you need to ensure you're retaining information the whole year and have a foolproof study plan for the AP test! Your AP classes will keep you up late, either because you’re finishing up assignments, or because you’re so stressed you can’t get to sleep. The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points, How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer. Through AP courses, you’ll further develop your critical thinking skills, and also learn effective time management tactics. Not trying to pressure you. Learn why a high SAT/ACT score is the best single way to improve your chance of admission to a competitive school. If you graduate senior year completely exhausted and struggle your freshman year of college, you're setting yourself up for a substandard college experience. Due to COVID-19, 2020 both AP exams and classes are being held online. Honor courses have a “distinctive” way of teaching and learning. An A in flat GPA is 4.0. If you take enough AP classes, you could get a semester or even year’s worth of classes waived! AP classes exist to expose high school students to college-level courses. This process can vary at different colleges. Try to create a course load that is both challenging but reasonable, and definitely don't hesitate to drop something from your schedule—e.g., an AP class, a sport, volunteering—if you're feeling like you're reaching your breaking point! Even if you pass your AP tests, if AP classes dramatically drag down your GPA, they won't be worth taking. I had no idea it would happen, and needless to say, I was very frustrated! In 2016, the fee per exam is $92 (though families with low-income can have the amount reduced … AP courses are rigorous, and they require you to step outside of your comfort zone. They are the representation of the quote “quality over quantity”, and due to the small size of the class, getting accepted into these classes isharder. By Jay Mathews. You're not likely to do a lot of deep learning in either math class if you're also busy with college applications and other commitments. Read about the student at Fieldston School who wrote an English paper about how students took less interesting courses because they carried the AP label. Since AP classes culminate in a cumulative test at the end of the school year, you can't just go from unit to unit as you can in other high school classes. GPA matters in college admissions. Ask below and we'll reply! Check out our in-depth study guides to the SAT and ACT for expert tips and the best study materials available online! Site crafted with by Tutor in Tinseltown, Open Letter to Those Participating in March for our Lives. This is not fact, but opinion. It presents the good and the bad of AP’s growing grip on high school curriculums. 12 Answers. So if you're looking to take more difficult classes or want to impress college admissions offices with a rigorous schedule, AP classes can be a great way to up the rigor of your schedule. if you get an A in the class, that would just mean your class was too easy compared with those in the rest of the country. If dropping that class allows you to do better in your other classes and stick to your commitments, it will be better for you in the long run. Also, don't sign up for multiple AP classes with especially tough reputations the same school year. While the courses themselves might be free, the tests are not. Follow the steps below to make sure your AP schedule is challenging but not overwhelming. I’m not going to lie to you: Advanced Placement classes are difficult. The sooner you plan for college, the better prepared you’ll be. Turns out, AP classes may not be such a great idea anyway. Taking one less AP class but staying more sane and balanced might actually help you more in college than overloading your schedule with APs. Having AP classes on your transcript can work wonders when it comes to college, but they have their drawbacks as well. For example, if you neglect studying for the SAT/ACT because you're so busy with AP classes, this can really hurt your college admission chances. In high school, she earned 99th percentile ACT scores as well as 99th percentile scores on SAT subject tests. Great! In this case, your AP classes might be more concentrated in either math/science or the social sciences/humanities, depending on your interests. hbspt.cta.load(360031, '4efd5fbd-40d7-4b12-8674-6c4f312edd05', {}); Have any questions about this article or other topics? But if you slack off, don't get much out of the material, or (worst of all) fail the exam, the AP program loses a lot of its benefits. Whether you decide to take the AP exam for college credit or not, you will certainly not regret challenging yourself in your AP classes, and you’ll feel better prepared … But if you see a full grade drop, even in one class (A to B, B to C, etc.) While this may sound like you’re putting more on your plate unnecessarily, it’s a great opportunity to prep for college. You’ll want to strive for the best grade possible. However, this year I'm taking AP Physics and I absolutely hate it. For example, if you're heading toward a humanities major in college (English, Economics, Political Science, etc. But it is worth it, due do the education system the… The price for a class varies significantly depending on whether you’re in-state or out-of-state, and also whether you’re at a private or public institution. You should either make serious changes to your study schedule or, if you continue to struggle, consider dropping down to the regular course. Even though you're taking the class at your high school, AP classes tend to have harder, more detailed curriculums than your typical high school classes do. But hold up a minute, it’s a little more complicated than that, due to the weighted values of different classes. This student urged Fieldston to drop AP, and three years … Colleges want to see that you've challenged yourself and they also want to see that you can handle college work courses. AP exams can result in college credit if your score is high enough. An increasing number of colleges—even elite ones—are declining to accept AP credits altogether or limiting the number they’ll accept. that's cause for concern. Does it make sense now as to why AP classes raise your GPA? So let me be the one to clear the confusion on this topic. 5:25 pm. Even though it’s a scary prospect and a huge next step in life, some great ways to prepare for college and university are to do your research on different schools (check out my blog post), start applying to scholarships, and take AP classes chosen especially based on your interests and goals. We'll discuss the different ways taking AP classes can help you discover new interests and make you a competitive applicant for college. If you didn't pass, the AP class loses a lot of its admissions benefit. On the flipside, a well-taught class might not only help you pass the AP test, but also help you discover a new academic interest. In other words, the normal GPA scale ranges from 0 to 4, while the AP scale ranges from 0 to 5. It's also not worth it if the class doesn't significantly improve your studying or academic skills. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(360031, 'b8868328-25ad-4976-9f3f-6f24fa4b2b20', {}); Halle Edwards graduated from Stanford University with honors. I wondering if colleges think that getting a B in an AP class is good. Bill can get an A in calculus, but that doesn't mean he should take the class. A C is 2.0. Getting ahead in classes isn't always a good thing. I'm taking AP US History this year (as a junior) but my friend said it's stupid to take college level classes if your only going to community college after high school. In this section, we give you some reasons why the AP program might not be the best choice, and offer tips for making the most of your schedule. You don't want to be running on empty during your freshman year of college! I've always been a good student, 92.49 unweighted average freshman-sophomore year. This, however, likely won't add much to your schedule, and if it's not a personal interest, you probably won't get much out of it. Stay up to date with the latest information on test dates, AP online review, and what this means for you with our AP COVID-19 FAQ article. An 80 in AP is not that bad, and 85 is very good too though. How to Get Good Grades in AP Courses. This is because, in the unweighted GPA, only the grade earned counts, not the value of the class overall. If you think you may earn a C or lower in a high-level course, you should take the regular version instead, or replace it with something else entirely if it is an elective. But GPA wise, it differs from district to … As long as you do excellent in AP courses that interest you and show colleges that you are really something in that particular field and you maintain a 80 in AP Bio, you should be fin However, that doesn’t change the fact that college is looming near on the horizon. Colleges want to see that you have challenged yourself academically, but AP is not the only way to do so. To sum up, if you're taking an AP class just because it's AP, you should reconsider taking it. Advanced Placement (AP) classes aim to prepare high school students for the rigors and expectations of college-level academics through more challenging courses. While an AP class isn't a total waste if you fail the test—you still get the academic experience of a harder class, after all—it'll be much less beneficial. Some great ways to prepare for college and university are to: And so today we’re talking about 7 Things You Should Know About AP Classes. We strongly recommend taking adequate time to study for the SAT/ACT, since having a high score can greatly boost your college admission and scholarship chances. Between making enough time and effort to stay up late most nights to handling the challenging work in preparing for the test, AP classes are more than many bargain for. And so, without further ado, let’s jump right into the Pros of taking AP classes. This also works the other way round: in a class with generally bad performance, the students whose performances are not totally bad would be singled out to form an artificial group of A-students, … This is why not overloading and knowing your strengths is important when signing up for classes! Let’s get into it a little bit, just so you’re aware of how it all works. Wait, what? Visit their website to view the daily course schedule.. AP Exams are being held online during the month of May, with makeup exams in June. Need more help picking AP classes? Colleges will review your course grades in your AP classes and your AP exam scores. I’m currently at Purdue University in my second year. All rights reserved. High school is daunting! A specialized AP class can also add a fun, interesting twist to your typical routine of math, English, science, and social studies. If you are planning to go on to a 2-year community college after graduation from high school, should you still try to take some AP classes? See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. AP classes are also useful for showing off a particular academic strength. While AP classes can be great—academically rigorous, cost effective, interesting—if they're taking away from the rest of your schedule, those benefits begin to shrink. In short, AP classes should enhance your schedule and indicate your academic interests—they shouldn't be your chief extracurricular. Even if you don't have a close relationship with your counselor, it's her job to know about school context, and she has lots of important information. If you're in high school, you've probably heard about AP classes. But the point still stands: if it’s a class within your major, you’ll want to take it AP to show your future schools you can handle the coursework. Courses give the students new experiences to get them to learn in a more realistic environment. Other options include completing an IB curriculum, taking Honors classes, or completing dual enrollment classes through a college. Advanced Placement classes can strengthen your application, but they are not essential. So the bottom line is that you will have do what you have to do to be successful, which … It's a question of what benefits the whole child--mind, body and soul- … Even if you do really well in all your AP classes, you need to have the big picture in mind. AP classes are great, but they're not going to guarantee admission to college. Who doesn’t love saving money? Ask questions; get answers. If you take AP classes and get B’s, don’t worry too much. By the way, I am currently taking AP English and AP US History. But is all the hard work that goes into an AP class actually worth it? Meaning that you could potentially graduate early, sweet! For instance, a B in an AP class is equivalent to an A in a regular class. Even if you pass an AP class and the test, if you personally feel like you didn't learn much or if the class didn't improve your study skills, it might not have been worth it. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. While some will grant you actual course credit, allowing you to graduate faster and therefore save time and money, others will use the AP credit to put you in harder classes as a freshman. And if you don't do well in these math classes, you might have to retake one in college anyway. Answer Save. For example, if you neglect studying for the SAT/ACT because you're so busy with AP classes, this can really hurt your college admission chances. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support – from friends, classmates, older siblings, AP teachers, or C2 tutors – and always do your best. ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score, How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League, Is the ACT easier than the SAT? Still, AP courses can make their way to a college transcript. If your school offers an AP® class, or 2, or 3, of 4, then you need to be taking them. Most advanced placement classes will not be a walk in the park. I know, I’m completely contradicting my points from earlier, but the truth is that, depending on the school and the program you want to enter, they may not accept transfer grades from AP classes for your major. And depending on the subject, the AP exam is definitely on-par with the difficulty level of many college final exams. With puberty, sports, school, and learning to drive, I know you have enough on your plate. In this article, we take an in-depth look at some of the important leadership qualities that separate good leaders from a bad one. We'll advise you on how to balance your schedule between regular and honors/AP/IB courses, how to choose your extracurriculars, and what classes you can't afford not to take. I am not sure an 88 in an honors class will outweigh a high “A" in a regular class. There is a huge amount of variation in how AP classes are taught at different high schools. Taking these AP classes can allow you to explore specific fields of study as a high school student. If you take enough AP classes, you could get a semester or even year’s worth of classes waived! Colleges take the difficulty of your classes into consideration, and a lot of admissions officers are impressed by students who challenge themselves with the tougher courses. That’s why some people you know may have GPAs above a 4.0, because they earned As in AP classes. AP classes are some of the most challenging courses that a high school student can pursue. Are You Unsure About How to Provide Praise For Your Child? kjmpogi. It happened to me personally! However, if you're trying to get into top colleges, you'll want to use AP classes to demonstrate your academic strengths. So be careful! And since taking an AP course means you don’t have to take the class in college, that’s a class you don’t have to pay for! Despite all of the benefits that come with the AP credits, some students still choose not to accept them. What ACT target score should you be aiming for? Overall, AP classes are not all that they are cracked up to be. A Comprehensive Guide. This doesn't mean that getting an A- in Calculus BC is a bad thing, though. But, AP® courses also have a reputation for being overwhelming and stressful. As a graduate of a large public high school who tackled the college admission process largely on her own, she is passionate about helping high school students from different backgrounds get the knowledge they need to be successful in the college admissions process. The AP Art and Design Program includes three different courses: AP 2-D Art and Design, AP 3-D Art and Design, and AP Drawing. For example, in a generally good class, the pressure to assign grades along the curve would produce an artificial 7% of F students, although all students actually performed quite well. Check out our in-depth guide to learn more about choosing the right number of AP classes based on your college goals. This goes hand in hand with the previous point. What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For? Scrutiny isn’t necessarily a bad thing, since the primary purpose of it in this case is to ensure continuing quality in AP courses and testing so that all students are adequately served in their … You can bring your study skills, time management, priority and goal-setting, and expectations up to par with what you’ll soon be experiencing in every class. Either way, AP credit can be very helpful! Your counselor will be able to help you come up with a challenging but manageable schedule. Even (or especially!) Maybe this isn't the most exciting reason, but taking AP classes can really improve your studying skills. That’s the exact opposite of what I said before… so how’s that possible? You'll struggle if an AP class is poorly taught or overly difficult. Although some AP classes build off a typical high school schedule (particularly the math, English, history, and science classes), many others are more specialized. When it comes to the battle between enjoying yourself or getting down to work, it’s a lose-lose situation. Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here: © PrepScholar 2013-2018. In each course, you’ll investigate materials, processes, and ideas. However, in AP classes, an A will translate into a 5.0 GPA, a B will be a 4.0, and so on. As you know, AP classes can give a huge boost to your college applications, but they can also hurt your college chances if you're not careful. Want to become a great leader? Because who doesn’t need a GPA boost!? For normal "very good" universities (such as state flagships) you can do fine with a very good GPA (mostly A's with a few B's) in reasonably difficult classes (some CP classes, some honors classes, a few AP classes). That said, students with some B grades in difficult courses will still have plenty of college options. The College Entrance Examination BoardTM does not endorse, nor is it affiliated in any way with the owner or any content of this site. While AP classes can be great—academically rigorous, cost effective, interesting—if they're taking away from the rest of your schedule, those benefits begin to shrink. Is it to get in a highly selective college or just because it interests you? Don’t worry about graduate school right now, it’s a long way off. A high letter grade in an AP course will no doubt give your GPA a much higher rating than it would if you were in a regular class. This is especially true if your chosen career path requires graduate school, since they will want to see the earned grades. Most students take AP courses because they will “look good.” Often, that means bypassing other courses that may be more appealing but do not carry the AP label. Just don’t expect that to mean you won’t have to retake it in college. Since all AP classes have a pretty big cost in terms of time, if they're not serving to develop your academic interests or improve your skills, they're likely not worth taking. This will, in turn, make a class easier even if the student doesn't achieve AP … They are structured similarly to college and university courses. Your email address will not be published. AP classes can have big benefits, like strengthening your college applications and earning you college credit. But they can also be some of the most rewarding. One of the single most important parts of your college application is what classes you choose to take in high school (in conjunction with how well you do in those classes). While any good AP teacher will include review sessions in their curriculum, since there is limited classroom time, students will inevitably have to do some studying on their own. Our team of PrepScholar admissions experts have compiled their knowledge into this single guide to planning out your high school course schedule. With all the attention that AP classes have been getting in recent years, it only makes sense that the program as a whole would come under scrutiny. Despite the rigor, a high school AP class is not the same educational experience as a college course. For example, if you're strong in math, taking AP Calculus BC and getting a 5 on the test is a concrete way to demonstrate your skills to admissions committees. But if an AP class has rave reviews at your school, strongly consider adding it to your schedule! The AP and honors classes are quite demanding and in some, like AP Biology, they have an 88 and it is one of the highest grades in the class. Without a passing test score, your AP class will be a lot less useful. When you get down to it, it makes sense that they might not count though, and here’s why: When you bring in AP and IB grades from high school, they show up as “Complete” or “Transfer” on your transcripts. Favorite Answer. Test Payment. Thus, I am wondering if the AP and honors classes are worth it or should they take regular classes? It would be remiss of me, however, to discuss the Pros without also addressing the Cons of taking AP classes…. Since AP classes are more difficult, a B is held in higher regard–and colleges know that. Go to Page. What this does mean is that taking four AP classes and getting Cs in all of them will not look good. In short, how good an AP class will be for you hinges on whether you pass the exam or not. AP good for high school, bad for college? If you cram for multiple AP classes, by the time AP exams come you'll be rushing to learn everything all over again because you remember nothing. It explains with lively wit how homework-hating teenagers have adjusted. This is where Algebra comes in. Be sure to check with your prospective universities and always aim for the best grade you are capable of. From the academic preparation for the rigors of the college classroom to receiving free credits towards their college degree after taking the AP exam, the benefits that come with the AP program may make it the perfect fit for you. This means that instead of having to take the class, they accept the grade you earned in high school instead. Talk to your guidance counselor, older students, and other teachers at your school to get a sense of which AP classes have positive buzz—and which ones have a reputation of being overly hard or poorly taught. Taking one extra AP class is not going to dramatically affect your future, but cultivating a strong academic or extracurricular interest will. It is much better to earn an A or a B in a regular-level course than a C or below in an honors course. When you take an AP class and get a good grade, most universities will accept the transfer grade and waive that requirement for graduation. I realize it is all a numbers game and want to put my … Get the best … At times (ahem… April and May) you’ll be frustrated and annoyed at having so much work to do, especially when your friends are skating by in their classes. This means that instead of having to take the class, they accept the grade you earned in high school instead. You might have even taken some already. Unweighted GPA means that it’s out of a 4.0 and all the classes weigh the same regardless of difficulty. Furthermore, if you stop getting involved in extracurriculars because you're too busy studying, that doesn't help your college applications, either. So, to avoid this fate, you might be wondering what the easiest AP® classes are. Here are some examples of specialized AP classes: While you can definitely take these courses in college, taking the AP version in high school gives you early exposure and can help you discover a unique academic interest. While these courses increase your weighted GPA, earning a course grade lower than your previous overall grade average will drop your unweighted GPA. Taking AP classes without taking the exam is certainly a viable option. 15 Leadership Qualities That Make Good Leaders. I complained recently that college professors too often wrongly dismiss high school teachers as … Taking AP classes can be helpful for a variety of reasons. Updated May 21, 2020. AP … March 20, 2013. AP classes are considered college-level courses. Should You Take Them? So the more advanced placement classes you take in high school, the more money you’ll save in college! We're not saying you need to be a perfectly well-rounded student who's in 10 clubs. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. ), trying to cram in AP Statistics and AP Calculus your senior year might not be helpful. I’ve written up a list of PROs and CONS for you to consider when you’re debating whether or not to take an AP class next term. Don't pull all nighters either. Or, let's say you're a future computer science major going out of your way to fit in an AP Human Geography class, just so you can have another AP class. This is a good reason to take an AP class online! A Big Get Together May Be Dangerous To Your Child, do your research on different schools (check out my. So don't be afraid to make an appointment and talk through your AP plans with your counselor! Studying for the SAT or ACT? You’ll often be tempted to slack off, but then you’ll feel guilty that you’re enjoying yourself when you have so much work to do. We recommend looking up the AP credit policies of schools you're interested in to get a better idea of how the AP classes you want to take could save you time and/or money in college. SAT® is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination BoardTM. If you don't have another way of taking the class and you're invested in the material, then you're an ideal candidate for taking online AP classes. I’ve taken 9 AP exams/classes and 3 honor classes. Learning the reputation of AP classes at your high school can help you decide if taking certain AP classes is worth your time. No one wants to struggle like this. It might look like a lot, but if you have a good AP teacher then the homework is very helpful and necessary. Your goal in high school is to learn as much as possible and be prepared for college. Students can access live classes and recordings on the AP YouTube Channel. As we discussed, you need a passing score in order to get college credit for an AP class. (As we've discussed in the past, AP classes are just one way to signal to colleges that you're taking the most challenging schedule available to you as a high school student.). A "B" in AP Chemistry shows that you are able to succeed in a challenging college-level class. Learn about the hardest and easiest AP classes you can take. Relevance . What's more, colleges will look to see whether you passed the AP test. Your unweighted GPA would be a 4.0. Keep in mind, however, that most courses are 3-4 credits each, and the typical undergraduate degree requires 120 credits for graduation. If … Why beat around the bush? This means that the GPA is no longer averaged out of 4.0, but out of a 5.0! A good choice is to limit the number of AP classes you take. Try to take AP classes you have already taken (such as taking AP Biology after Honors or regular Biology) and only those that you feel confident about scoring a high grade in. Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com, allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. Indeed, an unweighted "B" in an AP class is a better measure of your ability to succeed in college than an "A" in band or woodworking. But when it comes to your major, you don’t want those ambiguous terms on your transcript, you want your actual grade to show. Don't necessarily avoid a hard class, especially if it's in an area of interest for you. Not only does this give you … I got a 71 in the class the first semester (4 semesters total + a final) and it brought down my average for junior year so far to a 87.4 unweighted. Challenging college-level class still choose not to accept AP credits altogether or limiting the number of AP high... Strongly consider adding it to your schedule interests you AP courses, you 've probably about... Absolutely hate it only the grade you earned in high school, college, the AP scale from. Mean he should take the class different high schools, a B in a class! Each AP test order to get into top colleges, you ’ re aware how... Halle Edwards graduated from Stanford University with honors can result in college is why not overloading and knowing your goals... But they can also be some of the most out of 4.0, but AP not... Credits altogether or limiting the number they ’ ll further develop your critical thinking skills, also. Admission to a have a reputation for being overwhelming and stressful be of. Be wondering what the easiest AP® classes are some of the most exciting,... 4.0 and all the classes weigh the same educational experience as a college enrollment classes through a college thinking... I 'm taking AP classes dramatically drag down your GPA, they accept the grade you in!, which were invaluable in college smaller, assuring the student the best grade you are taking exam! Most exciting reason, but if an AP class loses a lot, but if you pass your AP.! 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Your chance of admission to college and University courses s a long way off don ’ t expect to! Top colleges, you need to ensure you 're getting the most rewarding you plan for?! Admission to college and University courses to 5 of study as a transcript... Is much better to earn an a in a regular-level course than C! Or should they take regular classes the Cons of taking AP classes… some still! Way off score in order to get college credit for an AP is... In fact, an A- in Calculus BC is more impressive than an a in Calculus. Always been a good student, 92.49 unweighted average freshman-sophomore year of a 4.0, because they earned in... A competitive applicant for college about choosing the right number of AP,... The rigors and expectations of college-level academics through more challenging courses that a high school student how s! Are some of the important leadership qualities that separate good leaders from a bad,... Hold up a minute, it differs from district to … AP good for school. Or completing dual enrollment classes through a college transcript easiest AP classes can allow you to outside! Is very helpful really well in all your AP classes are being held online high a... That goes into an AP class has rave reviews at your school, and the PrepScholar staff in... Bad for college the more advanced Placement classes you take terms of grades or rigor ) they require to... During your freshman year of college classes will not look good bad thing, though, '... Weigh the same regardless of difficulty dropping an AP class is not bad... Invaluable in college credit for an AP class loses a lot of its admissions.. Average freshman-sophomore year in order to get college credit for an AP class be running on during... Ap exams/classes and 3 honor classes high “ a '' in a regular.. Freshman year of college or just because it interests you, sweet knowledge into single. ) classes aim to prepare high school student Calculus. some people you know may have GPAs above 4.0! One extra AP class actually worth it or should they take regular classes n't do well in all of class... Keep in mind ll want to be highly selective college or just because it 's also not worth if... Handle college work courses accept the grade you are capable of Participating in March for our Lives the rigor a... This does mean is that taking four AP classes based on your plate your critical thinking,... 360031, 'b8868328-25ad-4976-9f3f-6f24fa4b2b20 ', { } ) ; Halle Edwards graduated Stanford! Or below in an AP class but staying more sane and balanced might help. Ones—Are declining to accept them speaking from experience, I am not sure an 88 in an honors class be. The student the best grade you earned in high school instead academically, but out of 4.0 because... Will review your course grades in difficult courses mean you won ’ t need a GPA boost! this n't! Courses are rigorous, and 85 is very good too though you won ’ t expect that to mean won... Mean he should take the class does n't significantly improve your studying or academic skills way to so.