Meaning of Pre-AP

Hello everyone, I've seen the term 'Pre-AP' floating around and I was wondering what it meant. Is it better than AP or is it an entry level course for AP? Also, from college admissions perspective, how significant is pre-AP?

Pre-AP is a set of courses that are designed to prepare high school students for Advanced Placement (AP) courses. They’re considered more rigorous than standard high school courses but less so than AP classes. Pre-AP classes aim to equip students with necessary skills and knowledge to excel in AP courses, which are typically taken later in high school.

Typically, Pre-AP courses are taken during freshman or sophomore year, while AP courses are usually taken during junior or senior year. The College Board, which also administers AP exams, develops both AP and Pre-AP courses.

Regarding your question on the significance of Pre-AP, these courses are universally recognized for their rigor, so they can show colleges that you’re pushing yourself academically.

However, AP courses carry more weight in college admissions because they’re equivalent to college-level courses. Additionally, AP course grades are often given more weight in GPA calculations and can provide college credit or advanced standing if the exam score is high enough.

So, while Pre-AP courses are beneficial for your development and can strengthen your transcript, AP courses generally carry more weight from a college admissions perspective. It's also important to remember to balance your course load and only take the most challenging options in the areas where you can handle it while still keeping your grades high.