AP vs Honors: How They Affect Your GPA
Both AP and Honors classes give your weighted GPA a boost. But they’re not the same thing, and the boost isn’t the same either.
If you’re choosing between AP and Honors (or trying to figure out how many of each to take), understanding the GPA impact is step one.
The GPA Boost: AP vs Honors
On a standard weighted GPA scale:
| Course Type | GPA Boost | A is Worth | B is Worth | C is Worth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular | None | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Honors | +0.5 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| AP / IB | +1.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 |
AP classes give you twice the boost of Honors. An A in AP Chemistry (5.0) contributes more to your weighted GPA than an A in Honors Chemistry (4.5).
But the flip side matters too: a B in an AP class (4.0) is worth the same as an A in a regular class (4.0). And a C in AP (3.0) is worth less than a B in a regular class (3.0, but with no risk of lower).
The boost rewards you for taking harder classes. But it doesn’t protect you from lower grades.
AP Classes: What to Know
AP (Advanced Placement) courses are standardized by the College Board. The curriculum is the same nationwide, and they all lead to an AP exam in May.
GPA impact: +1.0 weighted boost. This is the maximum boost in most school systems.
College credit: Score a 3, 4, or 5 on the AP exam, and many colleges grant you credit for the equivalent college course. This can save you time and tuition.
Workload: AP courses are roughly equivalent to a first-year college course. Expect significantly more reading, writing, and studying than a regular class.
The AP exam factor: Even if you get an A in the class, the AP exam is separate. Some students ace the class but bomb the exam (or vice versa). The class grade affects your GPA. The exam score affects your potential college credit.
Honors Classes: What to Know
Honors courses are designed by your school, not a national organization. The curriculum and rigor vary from school to school and teacher to teacher.
GPA impact: +0.5 weighted boost. Meaningful, but half the AP boost.
College credit: None. Honors courses don’t come with standardized exams or college credit opportunities.
Workload: More rigorous than regular classes, but usually less intense than AP. Think of Honors as “regular plus” and AP as “college lite.”
Availability: Many schools offer Honors options in grades 9-12, while AP courses are typically available starting in 10th or 11th grade. Honors classes are often the stepping stone to AP.
A GPA Comparison Example
Let’s say you’re choosing between two schedules. Same five classes, but different difficulty levels:
Schedule A (Mixed):
| Class | Type | Grade | Weighted GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | AP | B+ (3.3) | 4.3 |
| Chemistry | Honors | A- (3.7) | 4.2 |
| Math | Regular | A (4.0) | 4.0 |
| History | AP | B (3.0) | 4.0 |
| Spanish | Regular | A (4.0) | 4.0 |
Weighted GPA: 4.10
Schedule B (All Regular):
| Class | Type | Grade | Weighted GPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Regular | A (4.0) | 4.0 |
| Chemistry | Regular | A (4.0) | 4.0 |
| Math | Regular | A (4.0) | 4.0 |
| History | Regular | A (4.0) | 4.0 |
| Spanish | Regular | A (4.0) | 4.0 |
Weighted GPA: 4.00
Schedule A has lower raw grades but a higher weighted GPA. The AP and Honors boosts more than compensate for the B+ and B. And colleges will notice the more rigorous courseload.
Use our High School GPA Calculator to test different scenarios with your actual classes.
What Colleges Think About AP vs Honors
Colleges evaluate course rigor as part of their review. Here’s how they generally view it:
AP classes signal college-level work. They’re standardized, so admissions officers know exactly what an AP English class involves, regardless of which high school you attend.
Honors classes signal effort and ability. They show you sought out harder courses, even if the rigor isn’t nationally standardized.
Taking both (in a balanced mix) is ideal. Most competitive applicants take a mix of AP and Honors courses throughout high school, scaling up as they get comfortable.
Not every AP class makes sense for every student. Taking eight AP classes and getting C’s in half of them is worse than taking four APs and getting A’s and B’s. Quality matters more than quantity.
How to Decide: AP or Honors?
Ask yourself these questions:
Am I strong in this subject? If you love English and always do well, AP English is a great bet. If you struggle with science, Honors Chemistry might be a better fit than AP Chemistry.
Can I handle the workload? AP courses require more time outside of class. If you’re already stretched thin with activities, work, or other APs, adding another might hurt more than it helps.
Does college credit matter to me? If you want to earn college credit and potentially save a semester of tuition, AP is the path. Honors doesn’t offer that.
What does my school recommend? Your guidance counselor and teachers know which students tend to succeed in each level. Their recommendations are based on experience.
What are my GPA goals? Run the numbers. If the weighted boost from AP would raise your GPA even with slightly lower grades, it might be worth it. If a B in AP would pull your weighted GPA below what an A in Honors would give you, the Honors route might be smarter.
The Bottom Line
Both AP and Honors courses strengthen your transcript. AP gives a bigger GPA boost and offers college credit. Honors gives a smaller boost but typically involves less pressure.
The best strategy isn’t “take as many APs as possible.” It’s “take the hardest courses where you can still perform well.” That balance looks different for every student.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the college. Selective schools generally prefer seeing students challenge themselves, so a B in AP can look stronger than an A in Honors. But an A in Honors is still excellent, and no admissions officer would fault you for it. The best approach is a transcript that shows both rigor and strong performance.
No. The +1.0 for AP and +0.5 for Honors is the most common system, but some schools use different values. A few schools don't weight at all. Check with your guidance counselor for your school's specific policy. Our calculator uses the standard weighting.
At most schools, yes. Some AP classes have prerequisites (like AP Calculus requiring Pre-Calculus), but many don't require an Honors version first. That said, Honors classes can be good preparation for the AP workload. Ask your teacher or counselor if you're unsure.
There's no magic number. Competitive colleges like to see 5-8 AP classes over a high school career, but context matters. If your school only offers four APs and you took all four, that's impressive. If your school offers 20 and you took two, that raises questions. Take as many as you can handle without burning out or tanking your grades.
GPANerd articles are for informational purposes only. Always confirm academic policies with your school. Grading scales and requirements vary by institution.