The differences that matter
| AP | Dual credit | |
|---|---|---|
| Who teaches it | Your high school | A partner college, often at the high school |
| College credit | From the AP exam score, if the college accepts it | From the course grade, if the college accepts the course |
| A college transcript | No | Yes, the grade stays on it |
| Before it starts | Course prerequisites | TSIA2: needed for dual credit courses |
How each district weights them in GPA
Katy ISD
| Semester grade | Advanced (KAP, AP, GT sections) | Dual credit | Academic and electives | Fundamental/Applied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90–100 | 5 | 4.5 | 4 | 3 |
| 80–89 | 4 | 3.5 | 3 | 2 |
| 70–79 | 3 | 2.5 | 2 | 1 |
Lamar CISD
| Course level | Each semester grade is multiplied by |
|---|---|
| AP / Dual credit | ×1.3 |
| Honors (PAP, OnRamps fall) | ×1.2 |
| Academic | ×1.1 |
| Leveled Academic | ×1.0 |
Texas has no statewide weighted GPA for students now in high school; each district sets its own. A new rule (19 TAC §74.3001) applies from students entering grade 7 in 2027-28.
Which to choose
- Aiming for a Texas public university: dual credit often transfers cleanly. Check how the college counts each course.
- Aiming out of state or at a selective college: AP is understood everywhere, and the exam score speaks for itself.
- Watching class rank: compare the weights above. In some districts dual credit counts a little less than AP.
Sources, checked Nov 7, 2026
- Katy ISD board policy EIC(LOCAL), Class Ranking (adopted 7/28/2025) (2025-26 onward)
- Katy ISD 2026-2027 Student Handbook (2026-27)
- Lamar CISD board policy EIC(LOCAL), Class Ranking (adopted 11/19/2024) (2024-25 onward)
- Fulshear High School: GPA and class rank (2026-27)
- Lamar CISD 2026-2027 Secondary Student Handbook (2026-27)
- Lamar CISD 2026-2027 Secondary Course Selection Catalog (December 1, 2025) (2026-27)
- TEA, STAAR testing requirements (Algebra I, English I, English II, Biology and U.S. History end-of-course exams for graduation; Approaches Grade Level passes)
Rules change. Confirm with your school counselor before course selection.
