Research Symposium Program - Individual Details

AP Classes and College Readiness

Abstract

Despite the importance and prevalence of the subject matter, there are a limited number of studies that have been conducted on a qualitative level to identify the level of influence that taking AP classes in high school have on college readiness. Generally, these studies focus on quantitative relationships influencing college readiness itself. However, this study seeks to reveal the unresearched perspective pertaining to the qualitative ideas of taking AP classes and their effectiveness in preparing students for college classes. Unlike previous studies, this inquiry includes participation of college students to analyze differences in the data observed. Correspondingly, a survey was given to over 20 college participants. The respondents answered questions concerning demographics as well as additional questions specifically asking about the skills learned through taking AP courses. Consequently, qualitative aspects such as problem solving, time management, and critical thinking abilities were analyzed through the survey questions. The raw data was then analyzed, and conclusions were formed based on each participant's responses to the myriad of questions. The experiment's outcomes offer a variety of applications, especially in relation to teenagers and professionals involved in the education field which can be extremely advantageous for providing a comprehensive understanding of this crucial process for adolescents. Upon conclusion, accurate data and results culminated in cogent insight into the influence of taking AP courses and if they prepare students for the rigors of college. Nonetheless, extensive research beyond this study needs to be conducted in order to increase lucidity and eliminate any potential limitations.

Keywords: AP Classes, College Board, Pedagogical