did your kid study for the AP exams? (especially those for non-AP courses?)
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Anonymous
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My private school kids (twins) are taking 4-5 exams over the next 2 weeks (they wanted to sign up for these). Some of the courses are actual AP classes, some are not.
They've been too busy to even think about studying (and the formal AP classes have been doing some review in class). If your kid took AP exams, especially ones for private school classes that are not "AP" classes, did they study? If so or if not, how did they do? I'm wondering if I should overnight some review guides on Amazon. In theory they could study this weekend or next (not saying that they will agree to but they "could") |
Anonymous
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They should at the very least look over some guides that give the format of each test and an outline of the topic covered.
Because you can pay to have individual AP scores removed from your score report before it is sent to colleges, there’s really no harm in taking a crack at exams you haven’t taken the corresponding AP class for. That said, if they are taking several and not reviewing at all, you may just be wasting a chunk of money and time. |
Anonymous
| Sounds like a complete waste of money and time. |
Anonymous
Why? |
Anonymous
You’re unlikely to do better than a 3 if you’re taking a test that you haven’t taken the class or reviewed for. And a 3 is not worth reporting. |
Anonymous
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My kid took APs for practice last year and did not separately study, and earned a 3 and a 4. This year, DC is taking three APs (including repeating one from last year). DC started studying with a tutor at the beginning of April. I agree that taking an AP is tough for some if you don’t separately study. It’s good to be familiar with the format and past exam questions.
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Anonymous
This seems to really depend on the exam, the material the student learned in whatever related non AP class, how much they are willing to study, etc. |
Anonymous
Sure, but OP said her kids hadn’t done any prep outside of class. |
Anonymous
Because they aren't prepared for the tests if they aren't in the AP class and haven't studied. |
Anonymous
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I have a Senior who has scored 5s on all of his AP exams so far. He did not do much 'extra' study outside of regular course stuff all year long. In fact, he was on the couch watching netflix with us the night before a big one and I was like 'wth, are you doing---you have X AP exam tomorrow?!' He said he didn't need to study.
My sophomore also seems already prepared for his AP exam next week. Their HS is fantastic at preparing them and the teaching outstanding. |
Anonymous
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Bought the books for the kids to use to study, they never cracked them. One got all 5s, the other mostly 5s and a couple of 4s
All depends on their teacher, their study habits, and how good they are at memorizing/remembering |
Anonymous
| yes my kid studied for both AP and non-AP classes. He got study guides from teachers and on his own from internet resources. |
Anonymous
What HS? |
Anonymous
+1 Why bother taking the test if you’re not going to study? |
Anonymous
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DS is required by school to take AP exams for his AP classes which I think is a reasonable expectation in return for the gpa boost. It’s also good practice generally to take that type of exam, but seems silly to take an exam for which you have not taken the class.
He studied hard for AP exams last year as a junior because those scores were reported and part of his application package, but this year he’s taking a more “relaxed” approach reviewing because his scores do not impact his GPA or college acceptance, and a 4/5 will not help him credit wise at his selective university. |