Tj freshman - taking AP bio exam

[Anonymous]

Op here. The teacher said that most of the material for AP bio ( barring two modules of bichem) would be covered in the class. Apparently last year a lot? Of kids did the AP exam after this course. Hence the question. Anyway we will sign up for that exam and decide later on in the year

[Anonymous]

If you really want to know about this call your child’s TJ counselor. And ask your student if it’s better to get a lower score on the AP having chosen to self-study or getting a 4 or 5 after taking the course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. The teacher said that most of the material for AP bio ( barring two modules of bichem) would be covered in the class. Apparently last year a lot? Of kids did the AP exam after this course. Hence the question. Anyway we will sign up for that exam and decide later on in the year

Most likely the teacher didn’t say that and it’s just tiger parents pushing hard.

Not a good idea, but that’s not going to deter the tiger parents. I guess it’s only $100 to waste if the score is not good.

[Anonymous]

It’s because TJ classes are like AP classes. So the kids can actually be prepared for the AP exam even if it’s not an “AP” course. Is that right?

[Anonymous]

DC went to TJ and did not take the AP Bio exam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s because TJ classes are like AP classes. So the kids can actually be prepared for the AP exam even if it’s not an “AP” course. Is that right?

Yes that's right. Very common for TJ students to take the AP exam after a non-AP science course

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s because TJ classes are like AP classes. So the kids can actually be prepared for the AP exam even if it’s not an “AP” course. Is that right?

Yes that's right. Very common for TJ students to take the AP exam after a non-AP science course

It’s not very common. There’s a difference between taking the exam and getting a good score. If the AP exam is the goal, then it makes more sense to take an AP class. Sounds like the OP is trying to avoid prerequisites, but those are put in place so that the AP cores moves at a fast pace because the students don’t see these topics for the first time in their life.

[Anonymous]

Take the AP bio exam after taking AP bio at TJ. My son is a 9th grader, and wasn't asked this question in IBET. My DD, a senior at TJ also didn't know anyone who took the AP bio exam after 9th grade bio. People take it after taking AP bio 10th or 11th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand we need to sign up now to do the exam. What happens if the AP score is not good? Can we just not report it

you don't have to report it.

Some top colleges require every AP test score to be reported now. I know Stanford and MIT have that requirement. I think Caltech too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I understand we need to sign up now to do the exam. What happens if the AP score is not good? Can we just not report it

you don't have to report it.

Some top colleges require every AP test score to be reported now. I know Stanford and MIT have that requirement. I think Caltech too.

No way to enforce it. Students can delete AP scores from their records, and CB won’t release anything without student approval. But I agree it’s stupid to take AP Bio exam after 9th grade Bio.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thanks everyone. We are not taking this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. The teacher said that most of the material for AP bio ( barring two modules of bichem) would be covered in the class. Apparently last year a lot? Of kids did the AP exam after this course. Hence the question. Anyway we will sign up for that exam and decide later on in the year

This is exactly what was shared with my DC’s class too when they were freshmen, and they did take the AP Bio exam that year. The real benefit is for students who aren’t planning to take the year-long AP Bio course but still want the AP credit for college, since a score of 5 or 4 often fulfills about 3 credits natural science gen-ed requirement at most colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks everyone. We are not taking this year.

We? They let parents inside the exam room?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Thanks everyone. We are not taking this year.

We? They let parents inside the exam room?

LOL

Now you know who is going to write the essays. "Weeeeeeeeee"!

[Anonymous]

Relatively few kids take the AP Bio after 9th grade bio. There’s just no point when taking the AP bio course itself is a prerequisite for many senior labs. It’s just not true that lots of kids at TJ self test AP biology. However it is very true that kids at TJ claim to do things they are not actually planning to do. If you really want to know, ask your child’s counselor. That’s one easy phone call or email.