Myths about AP English

#1 – Students have to be “A” English students

There is no minimum grade required to enrol in AP English 12. The most important qualities of an AP student:

  • self motivation
  • curiosity
  • openness to new ideas
  • desire to learn
  • passion for English

#2 – Students have to take the AP Exam

Students can choose to take the AP exam if they feel prepared and want the option of receiving post-secondary course credit. Many students take AP English for better post-secondary preparation, but choose not to take the exam.

#3 – AP English is super hard

AP English is rigorous and challenging. There is more writing and reading than regular English Studies 12 BUT it does provide more practice in those skills, giving students more opportunity to improve in those areas which is valuable, especially for university preparation.

#4 – English Studies 12 mark will suffer

AP English is a dual credit course. Students will receive 2 marks: 1 for English Studies 12 and 1 for AP English 12. The curricular competencies for both courses are the same, and so assessment is the same... In other words, the mark a student would receive in regular English is the same as the one they would receive in AP English. The key difference between the courses is not in assessment, but in content. The content in AP English tends to be more sophisticated, and the class moves at a faster rate. For example, AP English students study four novels instead of one.