Must you take AP exams?

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

OP if your kid is taking 3 AP classes and sits 2 exams that's fine, especially if the 3rd class is a huge struggle and its Physics but they're a humanities kid.

You kind of cannot generalize, other than to know that as someone already said - sometimes the grade bump only happens if the exam is taken, sometimes colleges favor the exams as an admissions tool (especially outside of the US).

[Anonymous]

I’ve seen different answers here but mine did not take most of the AP exams. Got As in all. It was a feeling we had about end of year stress, and also in some cases, having to self teach to the test bc the class didn’t prepare anyone. Worked out in their cases. Both are at reaches for all.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

Depends on the school system Op. You know that, don't you? It would be exhausting to spell out the entire policy debate, to you, on this.

Learn what is expected in your school system, and make your decision.

[Anonymous]

Not optional at my DC’s school.

[Anonymous]

My kids go to state flagship universities so they took all AP exams in order to get college credits (mostly for gen ed and "intro" courses). This allows them to easily double major.

[Anonymous]

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

[Anonymous]

Mine took exams to add to admissions portfolio for top schools and potentially test out for state schools. Did not take Physics 1 exam. It was during pandemic, and she didn't feel like she understood it well enough to do well, and she was planning to take Physics C down the road, so Physics 1 exam would essentially net nothing. Submitted 4s/5s in apps and wrote that she didn't sit exams in all subjects. Worked out fine.

[Anonymous]

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?

Of course you take the AP test! Most schools do offer credit, including many selective colleges. Take the test and see where you land at college.

My kid is at a T40 school and can use up to 4 AP credits for college credit (my kid had 8 APs). They used another 2 to take entry-level credit and take more advanced courses at college.

They applied to 2 T20 schools and both took AP credits, and another ranked in the 20s and they took AP credit as well.

So take the damn AP test, and worry later if you will get the credit. Since you never know where you will end up.
Also, if you get 4/5s, it's good to self report when applying to college, it certainly doesn't hurt your application

[Anonymous]

My kids didn't take one of his AP exams senior year. He had a B in the class and didn't feel he'd do well and I said sure, skip it.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

How can you find out whether a college looks at AP exam scores in admission or not? If a college looks at SAT/ACT scores, then is it assumed that they will also look at AP exam scores?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids didn't take one of his AP exams senior year. He had a B in the class and didn't feel he'd do well and I said sure, skip it.

That makes sense senior year. If you don't feel you've learned the material, you wouldn't take the AP credit in college (if needed for your major), you'd retake the course.

But if it's a Gen ed type course, by May you know where you are going, so if they'd take the AP credit take the test and you might get a 4/5 or whatever is needed for credit.