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.

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.

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.

My co-workers daughter graduated in 3 years based on her AP credits. Huge savings and started grad school on year 4.

I saw that last year, only 15 students took the Spanish Literature AP test. I thought it was odd that they would have a class with only 15 students.

I went to MIT, where you would only get credit for a 5 on the calc BC exam for calc I, credit for the first physics class if you got 5 on both physics C tests, and you get out of the orientation writing test with a 5 in one of the English APs. You get some general Humanities credits for any other Humanities AP, but it really has no meaning overall, and does not count toward any major or my requirements. I had taken 10 APs in high school, and basically all I got out of was the orientation test and calc I. http://uaap.mit.edu/first-year-mit/first-year-academics/incomingcredit/previous-study/ap-and-transfer-credit-advanced-placement

Anonymous wrote:There are also schools that will not give any credit for a course that was already counted toward the HS degree--whether that's from dual enrollment at a community college or an AP, if the math class filled a graduation requirement it will not count as credit at such a college. The score still might affect placement, but there would likely be an in house placement exam at orientation that could do the same.

My DC took plenty of AP classes but not many exams. Their primary purpose is as HS classes.

Can you name this school that has this policy?

There are also schools that will not give any credit for a course that was already counted toward the HS degree--whether that's from dual enrollment at a community college or an AP, if the math class filled a graduation requirement it will not count as credit at such a college. The score still might affect placement, but there would likely be an in house placement exam at orientation that could do the same.

My DC took plenty of AP classes but not many exams. Their primary purpose is as HS classes.

Yes, most colleges will only give credit for scores of 4 or 5 on the exam. Also, as someone else mentioned, many schools will only give credit for electives though some will allow you to place out of classes like freshman English etc. Be careful though, DS had so many AP credits when he graduated from high school that he started as a sophomore at UMD. That wasn't the best scenario for him because he was thrust into upper level classes and just was not prepared for them. The reality is that AP classes are NOT equivalent to college level classes, but they are still great to take if you can do well in them. No one has to take the AP exam, but the schools do pressure the kids to take them if they are in the class. As a parent though, at $95 a pop, I would not sign my child up for one of the exams if they (and you) are not confident they can score at least a 4.

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.

Anonymous wrote:No you do not have to take the test though most colleges do offer credit so for $95 it is a bargain. Also AP scores are not meant to enhance an application. You send them to the school you will attend to get the credit after senior year. They know how many APs you took from your transcript. Some people with all 5s might send them but it is an extra expense per application and not required.

check college policy carefully before paying for exam if you want AP credit. any schools only accept a 4 or 5 and don’t accept AP credits in fulfillment of major requirements. in terms # of required hours. AP credit may allow you to slip intro course, but other than that they are essentially elective credits.

Anonymous wrote:My kid isn’t there yet but I think he said you can still take the AP in place of the MCPS exam and technically your graduation may be contingent on getting a good enough scote on the AP test (but you still particitin graduation ceremonies etc)

No...not sure if this was ever true but MCPS no longer even has final exams. AP test participation has nothing to do with school grades or graduation.

My kid isn’t there yet but I think he said you can still take the AP in place of the MCPS exam and technically your graduation may be contingent on getting a good enough scote on the AP test (but you still particitin graduation ceremonies etc)

No you do not have to take the test though most colleges do offer credit so for $95 it is a bargain. Also AP scores are not meant to enhance an application. You send them to the school you will attend to get the credit after senior year. They know how many APs you took from your transcript. Some people with all 5s might send them but it is an extra expense per application and not required.

For example, a senior wants to take a challenging course, but the AP results won't be out till well after graduation, and certainly Beyond when college applications are due. In some cases, the next course in a series is an AP course, so there's no option to take a class that doesn't have an AP at the end. In many cases, the AP will not provide any actual college credit, anyway.