<p>Could one take AP courses but not the exams?</p>
<p>It is school district dependent.</p>
<p>My school district makes it optional, but we have to pay for it.</p>
<p>A school district over makes it mandatory and you have to pay for it.</p>
<p>And another school district over makes it mandatory but they pay for them.</p>
<p>Ask your school district.</p>
<p>^^^
As the previous poster noted it depends on the school, and in some cases on the course.</p>
<p>That said, if you take an AP course you should take the AP exam for that course. It will motivate you to prepare; it will provide you feedback as to how well you’ve mastered the material compared to other students; and (at least when you get 4 or 5) it will provide convincing evidence to colleges that you’ve applied yourself.</p>
<p>Depending on your school, AP test results may or may not be recorded on your transcript. Also depending on your school test results may or may not be provided to colleges when you apply. So ask your registrar. You may be able to selectively report AP scores on your college application.</p>
<p>The AP scores will not be on my transcript and I need to pay $120 for each test. I wonder whether it’s worth it.</p>