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<p>Some of the older AP tests like English Literature and Calculus BC made sense due to the existence of significant numbers of students who would be bored in high school without the chance to take university freshman level courses, and are fairly well accepted. It is the proliferation of AP tests of dubious value like Statistics, Physics B, and Environmental Science that can make people wonder if it just helps students inflate their weighted GPA with “AP” courses that are not really that rigorous.</p>
<p>There also seems to be a trend of forcing students who are two grades ahead in math (i.e. the top math students in the school) to take calculus over two years (AP Calculus AB in 11th grade and AP Calculus BC in 12th grade) instead of letting them have a one year AP Calculus BC course that they should be capable of handling easily (remember, the two grades ahead students are the top math students). Perhaps this is done to inflate a school’s count of AP tests and courses taken. Schools can also double-dip by designating 11th grade English as AP English Language, and 12th grade English as AP English Literature. Another double-dip is designating regular or honors high school physics as AP Physics B, to be followed the next year by the “true” AP Physics C course.</p>