The author discusses fundamental misunderstandings about Advanced Placement (AP)courses, which are intended to provide high-school students with an academic college experience, typically at the level of an introductory college course. Popular misconceptions include: (1) AP is about memorization and does not require students to think critically; (2) High-school teachers lack the expertise to teach college-level classes; (3) Awarding college credit reduces students' chances for wider intellectual exploration in college; and (4) Colleges courses provide greater intellectual breadth and depth than AP courses. While acknowledging that not all students who are encouraged to take AP are ready, and that not all courses at all schools meet the college-level standard, the author advocates that the Advanced Placement program has revolutionized high-school classrooms around the United States, offering rigorous, college-level education to motivated students with the benefit of college credit. As such, he concludes, AP is a valuable program, worthy of attention and, when required, correction and improvement.