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Both of my Ds took lots of APs - in the range you state. Since they’re both pursuing engineering majors (CS), the APs don’t get them out of many classes and doesn’t really decrease their time in college much since this major requires a <em>lot</em> of courses to graduate - far more than a poli-sci degree for example. So, the benefit of how many college classes the APs obviate and how much less time one needs to get the degree depends on the major and also the school. All of the extra credits from the AP classes does give them higher class standing which allows them a higher priority on signing up for classes.</p>
<p>My kids had a side benefit though - taking the AP classes allowed them to take the most rigorous courses the school offered which they both could easily handle. They’d have been very bored in the non-AP classes that were offered at their particular HS. It also put them in the class with and had them surrounded by (and generally where most of their friends were) the other high achievers from the school. I think this experience would vary by school but at a HS with a fair amount of non-achievers, being in the AP classes helps a lot.</p>