<p>AP tests are good in the sense that they are a higher level that is standard throughout the country (and heck the world). Honors classes can be easier than some CP classes at other schools. This makes it easier to compare students from different counties, states, and even countries. Not only that but the tests are difficult. Even so the scores are given on a bell curve. This means that if the test is in fact easy, then everyone should do well and it would raise the raw score needed to obtain a 5. If you can see here: [2012</a> AP Exam Score Distributions](<a href=“2012 AP Exam Score Distributions”>2012 AP Exam Score Distributions) the number of people who get 5s is low (except Calc BC, the hardest class?). On top of all that, each college can pick and choose which tests they want to accept (even the minimum score). For example, the Ivy league, with the exception of Cornell, only accepts 5s and 4s in math. Most only accept math, science, and english subjects. No one says that the school has to accept a score. AP classes are great because they allowed for smarter students to work ahead and not get bored as well as let them save a few bucks (actually a lot) in college tuition. Sure there are people who get around the system, but its a fundamental perfect idea and its executed fairly well as well.</p>