It’s best to be further prepared. Image courtesy of College Board. 

  San Luis Obispo High School has a variety of Advanced Placement classes to choose from, including seminars that help students further prepare to take their AP exams in May. AP seminars are an optional course which take place in the third trimester of the school year. Since the seminars aren’t mandatory, are they really necessary?

  AP seminars are meant to add in any extra information that wasn’t covered in the last trimester of the curriculum, as well as aid in student preparation to take the AP exam.

“Both AP Capstone courses, AP Seminar and AP Research, help you hone skills critical for success in all majors and careers,” according the The College Board website. 

AP exams aren’t mandatory to take AP classes, however the classes prepare students for the test which can earn them college credit. 

  “I have taken an AP class and normally I only choose to take a seminar if it’s a difficult class or if I don’t feel confident for the test. If I feel fine that I will pass, then I won’t take it. In general I normally get 3’s on my AP tests. I feel that the seminar is helpful for individuals who struggle in the class or just want the extra practice. I’ve also noticed that more curriculum is taught in seminar classes. But it can vary from person to person and class to class,” said senior Rachelle Cardenas. 

  Since the seminar is an optional class, those who feel confident in their abilities can skip it to have more room in their schedule. AP seminars don’t guarantee a passing score, however it allows students to have a higher chance of gaining more information to ready themselves for the test. 

Because SLOHS is on a trimester system, the seminar is easy to sign up for without disrupting the opportunity to take other elective classes.

  “On previous AP tests I have passed and the seminar definitely helped me refine skills that I needed for the test. It helped me practice and understand different topics better,” said senior Katerina Harris. 

  For future AP students, consider taking an AP seminar!

Sources: blog.collegeboard.org