Another factor that makes AP classes worth it: the AP classes in my school were the most difficult classes you could take, and thus attracted the smartest stude

Another factor that makes AP classes worth it: the AP classes in my school were the most difficult classes you could take, and thus attracted the smartest students. The next-hardest classes, the Level 1s, were full of people goofing off and not taking the class seriously. I'd rather be in the room with people smarter than me. (Class of 2003 if that's relevant.)