Do you have to take the exam if you're in an AP class in MoCo?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I fully understand how APs are used in colleges, but that's irrelevant to the question. I'm asking whether taking the AP exam is required if you enroll in an AP course in high school.

No, most take it for the inflated grade.

AP classes get no higher GPAs than honors classes. If you are solely trying for a high GPA and have no interest in AP credit, there is no incentive. I think most kids want the more challenging course work and the credit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I fully understand how APs are used in colleges, but that's irrelevant to the question. I'm asking whether taking the AP exam is required if you enroll in an AP course in high school.

And that answer is no, my dc has done it. Registering for the test is separate and optional.

My senior son in MoCo is taking 3 AP classes this year and will only take 1 AP test (Calculus AB). If he gets a 4 or 5, that will apparently allow him to avoid a test his university otherwise requires to determine what math class kids should start with. He's not looking to get any college credit for any of his AP classes, and his university only lets kids do that for a handful of classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I fully understand how APs are used in colleges, but that's irrelevant to the question. I'm asking whether taking the AP exam is required if you enroll in an AP course in high school.

And that answer is no, my dc has done it. Registering for the test is separate and optional.

Agree with PP. it is not required at MCPS but at our school it’s highly encouraged and they really try to persuade the kids to take it. I tried to talk my daughter out of taking them as I want her to focus on grades and studying for act - more important for her. But she decided to take them because of the encouragement from the teachers/admin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I fully understand how APs are used in colleges, but that's irrelevant to the question. I'm asking whether taking the AP exam is required if you enroll in an AP course in high school.

And that answer is no, my dc has done it. Registering for the test is separate and optional.

My senior son in MoCo is taking 3 AP classes this year and will only take 1 AP test (Calculus AB). If he gets a 4 or 5, that will apparently allow him to avoid a test his university otherwise requires to determine what math class kids should start with. He's not looking to get any college credit for any of his AP classes, and his university only lets kids do that for a handful of classes.

I would encourage him to transfer the ones he can get. It will allow him an easier semester along the way if he needs it or allow for an internship/job. Calc is actually the one AP exam my DS did not take. We were advised to retake classes that were part of a progression. He just retook it in college and said it was fairly different from AP..though a class he did not have to worry about. Now we know he has a good base. AP Gov, for example,is just an elective he does not have to think about again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They can take the place of distribution requirements and allow for a minor or second major. Also, if you are able to start school with enough credits to technically be a sophomore you can have you priority over freshman for course registration and dorm choice.

And remember that, for some schools that increase tuition price for junior/senior year, this may also mean you start paying higher tuition rates earlier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I fully understand how APs are used in colleges, but that's irrelevant to the question. I'm asking whether taking the AP exam is required if you enroll in an AP course in high school.

No, most take it for the inflated grade.

We live in another state and at our high school you must take and pass the AP exam if you want the "inflated" grade. The inflation is minimal (.1) so many student opt not to take the exam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I fully understand how APs are used in colleges, but that's irrelevant to the question. I'm asking whether taking the AP exam is required if you enroll in an AP course in high school.

No, most take it for the inflated grade.

AP classes get no higher GPAs than honors classes. If you are solely trying for a high GPA and have no interest in AP credit, there is no incentive. I think most kids want the more challenging course work and the credit.

Taking the most rigorous course available should be the motivator. An A in AP government > than an A in honors government > an A in government, if all three options were available at the HS. How the school calculates GPA, is irrelevant. For admissions the test score is irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I fully understand how APs are used in colleges, but that's irrelevant to the question. I'm asking whether taking the AP exam is required if you enroll in an AP course in high school.

No, most take it for the inflated grade.

The AP exam has nothing to do with grades. The scores don't even come out until July.