Must you take AP exams?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep reading colleges either don’t look at AP exam scores, or more selective colleges won’t give you credit regardless of score.

So how essential is it to sit for the formal AP exam? Is taking the class and getting an A all that really matters?

Some high schools require you to take the exam to get the grade bump.

Some colleges look at AP scores for admissions.

Most colleges give credit. Some selective colleges give limited credit but your kid is statistically unlikely to get into one of those schools.

Is it “essential”? Of course not. If your kid is on the verge of a mental breakdown don’t push it.

That's ridiculous. My college didn't accept AP credit for calculus and physics, so why would I have taken the test?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids' HS required them to take the test in order to get the GPA weighting so they took all tests.

But why? Dumbest policy ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids' HS required them to take the test in order to get the GPA weighting so they took all tests.

But why? Dumbest policy ever.

Many require you to take the test to get credit for having taken the class at all. It is a part of the process and helps schools know whether they are teaching the material well too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids' HS required them to take the test in order to get the GPA weighting so they took all tests.

But why? Dumbest policy ever.

Many require you to take the test to get credit for having taken the class at all. It is a part of the process and helps schools know whether they are teaching the material well too.

It’s not really that dumb. They’re AP classes. Taking the actual AP test at the end shouldn’t be that hard. This thread has provided a multitude of reasons for doing so - to prove content achievement for the high school, college admissions, college placement. High school involves some testing and AP classes especially are meant to be rigorous.

[Anonymous]

My DD took most of her APs her senior year so they didn’t really help with admissions, but she did come out with 17 college credits. Just for that (basically a semester of college, which for her school is $20,000), there is certainly value in taking the exams.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Students who sit AP exams Junior year or earlier and get a 4 or 5 score find those scores improve their admissions chances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids' HS required them to take the test in order to get the GPA weighting so they took all tests.

But why? Dumbest policy ever.

Why is it dumb? You shouldn’t get the boost to your GPA if you aren’t willing to do the extra work. At my DC’s school you actually fail the class if you don’t take the AP test. A big fat F.

[Anonymous]

is a 4 not great to report to top 20?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid’s private school requires them to sit the AP test to get credit for the class.

Which school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid’s private school requires them to sit the AP test to get credit for the class.

Which school?

I think this is pretty common at private schools. I know Gonzaga requires the boys to sit for the exam. There is also an application process to even get into the AP class. Teacher recommendation, you have to sit for an essay test, you need a certain overall GPA and also a certain grade the class below it. Boys definitely apply and then don’t get into AP classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live elsewhere in Virginia. Older teen (now in college) took mostly APs and a few DEs. Said later how they wished they had done all DE. Current HS student prefers the dual enrollment option where they don't have to take the end-of-year AP exam. Same AP coursework all year, still gets the college credit, just doesn't have to sit the AP exam for that college credit.

It's about what works best for your kid. DE is great! I can see how students would prefer it.

Colleges are clued in to the dual enrollment scam, which is usually not the same AP work. They are usually syllabi created by a local community college. Sure, if you are aiming for a non selective college, focus on DE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:is a 4 not great to report to top 20?

It's fine...

[Anonymous]

Check your HS policy. At DC’s school, if you do not register for the exam, you’re dropped from AP and moved to a standard-level class. If you register but no show, you will sit the rest of the year in the course but will not get the weighting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid’s private school requires them to sit the AP test to get credit for the class.

Which school?

SSSAS, but as a pp noted, I think it’s true for a lot of private schools.