<p>^^ The point is that just because a class has “AP” in its name, it does not mean that it is more rigorous than a tough non-AP class. Giving an extra GPA boost to the “AP” classes but not the regular classes also has the unintended consequence of creating a disincentive for taking additional non-AP classes. For example, if student ‘X’ takes 4 AP and 1 regular class, and student ‘Y’ takes the same 5 classes as student X but in addition takes an additional class (e.g, Latin) during elective time, and if both X and Y get straight “A” grades in all their classes, it will be student X who has a higher GPA and class rank than student Y. This is actually a common scenario among the top students in many schools.</p>