As classes begin to start up again, students taking Advanced Placement classes have one thing on their mind: the AP Exam. These students prepare and review everything they can all year to secure a high enough score so they can receive college credits for the class. That is, unless they chose the alternative route of concurrent enrollment.
At Del Val, all AP courses are also concurrent enrollment meaning that students taking these have the opportunity to receive college credits for them.
“It’s our course, our curriculum, our teacher, but students have the option to take it for the concurrent enrollment credit,” Kristina Sterbenc, Supervisor of Assessment, said. “ They will then get college credit for a college course, thereby earning themselves a college transcript for that course.”
Students sign up and pay for concurrent enrollment at the start of the school year and take the class as normal. As long as students receive a passing grade, they will obtain the college credits. By choosing this option, students do not need to take the AP test since they will be receiving the transcript from TCNJ or Seton Hall.
Along with this, when students choose to take concurrent enrollment courses, they pay a reduced price per credit.
“Families need to take into consideration the upfront payment and the future savings,” Sterbenc explained. “They have to determine what is best for them.”
The material used throughout the year is the same for both options meaning students will be receiving the exact same course work and assignments. With the AP test route, the determining factor for whether or not a student will receive credit is their score out of the 5 point AP scale. Although their grade will not be affected, if a students fails the AP test, they will not be able to get the college credits for the course.
There are a lot of factors that students may consider when making the choice between concurrent enrollment and the AP test.
“For the English classes, that’s not really my strong suit, I wasn’t sure how I’d do on those tests, so I was just took the safer route and did concurrent,” Taylor Ghiggeri, Del Val class of ’26 graduate, said. “I just find it to be a little less stressful because you can still have the difficulty of the class without it [AP test] being something you have to worry about.”
Through the AP test route, students not only have to worry about scoring well on the AP exam but also about the class final. Concurrent enrollment allows students to focus on the class final since they do not need to stress over AP test scores for the college credits.
Like Ghiggeri, some students take multiple AP classes meaning they have to decide what they will take for each class.
“I think that if you’re going to be in an AP class and take the exam, you should just sign up for ones you’re going to like, because for me, when I was really engaged with all that subject matter, I felt confident and prepared for the exam,” Isabella Diaz, Del Val class of ’26 graduate, said.
While students can take the college transcript with them to whichever college they choose to attend, some schools may not accept the credits.
“From what I’ve understood, it’s hard for concurrent enrollment credits to transfer to out of state colleges so that’s why I’ve been taking the AP tests,” Del Val senior, Maya Sliver, said.
Despite this disadvantage, students are ensured they will get college credits when taking concurrent enrollment compared to when they take the AP test.
“Think about what you’re going to do after high school and if you’re good at standardized tests before you choose,” Sliver said.
With AP classes back in session, students will have the ability to choose between the two, AP test or concurrent enrollment, or choose both for college credits as it is all dependent on what suits their goals and preferences best.
“If you have colleges in mind when you’re making these decisions, reach out to those colleges,” Sterbenc said. “What’s right for you isn’t going to be the same for the person sitting next to you, everyone has to make the choice that is right for them.”
