<p>The deal is that I am taking 8 AP exams this year. I know your first thought is "***?! HOW CAN YOU BE ALIVE!" amazingly enough, I am still kicking + I got a few ECs on the side. Now let's look at the exams:</p>
<p>Statistics
Computer Science AB
Chemistry
Physics: Mech
Physics: E and M
English Language
US History
Environmental Science</p>
<p>Notice...6 out of the 8 are math/science, one is US History (which, if your school district is on its 3rd run through teaching you USH, is very easy), and English language is something my teacher says "you don't study for" and I believe she is right (We do nothing but write essays in the class).</p>
<p>I think that the reason I have not gone insane yet is because I am such a big math/science person. 75% of the APs derive from concepts that are well within my grasp and are just a natural extension of my interests in the sciences. </p>
<p>This logic is probably severely flawed and 99.9% of you will see this as an ego-trip thread (I'll admit I sound like the typical CC-er), but my point is the same: if all of your APs are in the same area, does it sound reasonable to take an insanely large number of exams if all the concepts are interconnected?</p>
<p>There was one year at our school where a guy graduated having completed 18 AP exams, of which only one was a 4 - the rest were 5s.</p>
<p>I don't think it's "reasonable" or "unreasonable" to take an insanely large number of exams. It depends on the person. If you're a math/science type, then it makes sense that you would go for something around that area. Also, APs like Physics C used to be 1 so in that sense it's not too bad. Same goes for AP Econs or AP Comp/US govt, and AP Stats & AP Psych are generally known to be semester courses.</p>
<p>find out which ones you will get credit for. if both physics exams will only exempt you from one course in college, for example, there's not really a point to taking both... also look at the schedule of exams. if you have 2 in one day, you might want to reconsider taking both.</p>
<p>I really don't care much for the AP credit, I would rather just take the necessary placement tests instead. The only times I have 2 in one day are Comp Sci/ Stat (stat is a joke) and the two physics tests (which makes sense). APES is on the late testing block so I can have more time to study for it. It's the one AP I could do without, but I figured "hey if I came this close to AP Siemens, why not go the extra mile?" But yeah overall I feel the sense of "interconnection" with the science APs, and that's what drives me to take all of them.</p>
<p>This is definitely an ego-trip thread, considering I have a few friends who took 10 APs last year and didn't make a big deal out of it ;) </p>
<p>That said, both friends got 4's and 5's (mostly the latter), so yes, I think it can be done - especially if you're naturally inclined towards most of the subjects you're taking. Good luck.</p>
<p>I am also taking a lot of APs in hope of Siemens scholarships. Is 6 math/science APs enough? Also, does Siemens automatically receive your AP results or do you have to complete an application?</p>
<p>I think it is automatically done and in the event of a tie they look at raw scores...however I don't 6 will make it in any large state. I'm taking all 8 so I'm hoping for my raw score to be extremely great for NY!</p>
<p>To ashraf: Idk, I've been doing lots of other stuff outside of academics up till now. But yeah for the next 6 weeks I will be as much of a hermit as possible (even though spring track is in full grind :( )</p>
<p>Not insane. Study for the USH exam obviously, and do some practice problems for Physics C E&M if you've been slacking off over the year or if your teacher isn't very good. Not sure about Environmental Science. Chemistry you just have to memorize a few things. So really it's like 2 or 3 exams to study for.</p>
<p>Edit: I'm advising that you should do some practice problems for Physics C E&M because if you just go in there with the formulas and try to solve problems without practice, you run the risk of getting a 4. It happened to me.</p>
<p>Ok.. so 6 won't make it in a large state? What about a small state lke Minnesota? Is there a place I can go to see the cutoffs for previous years?</p>
<p>Nah THOSE hours are spent on prepping for the 400/800 :)</p>
<p>darkchaos: Yeah APES seems MUCH easier now that I got REA, as for E & M...I have looked at several AP questions as well as PR/University Physics examples. I just need to get my magnetism down (things such as Biot-Savart, etc.) and I think I can get a medium high five.</p>
<p>Chemistry is gonna be a joke because I already made the USNCO so I'm prepping my *** off for that as soon as Atkins comes in through the mail.</p>
<p>you mean pretty nerdy, which I guess is pretty cool on CollegeConfidential, so, yeah, I guess you're right. I'm just taking 6 now, and will take 7 next year (but I'm working on an Intel/Westinghouse type project, so ya's betta recognize!)</p>
<p>I wish the college board had AP computer graphics programming because that'd probably be the one subject which I could take with no studying. Well, I guess AP computer science works out for me, though.</p>
<p>Well, I'm glad they don't have those courses since I am horrible with computers and it would just mean more competition, putting me at a serious disadvantage because of overacheivers like YOU!</p>