<p>Should I stress over my AP tests this coming May? Will 4 semester units help that much? If I do well, I have the possibility of having 24 semester units knocked out of the way. Would it be a significant setback for me to only have 16 or even 12 semester units cleared?</p>
<p>Hopefully with this next batch of AP tests I'll be able to cancel out all the GE requirements that can be fulfilled with AP scores. But other than that, will the semester units be of much importance?</p>
<p>Your registration priority is based on hours earned, no small matter especially in the first two years. Even elective credits open you up down the road to get a dual major, or multiple minors… or just take interesting classes you might not otherwise be able to take. </p>
<p>Certainly, students come in with few transferable units… but the more you have, the better you are moving forward.</p>
<p>From what I’ve seen on the web site is that the only exams which you could get GE credit for are art history, Euro, bio, physics, chem, and any language. However, you don’t get credit if it is a core requirement for your major. Every other exam you get a 4 or 5 in counts as elective credit.</p>
<p>I know for me that I’m totally not stressing over my AP tests this year because all 5 that I’m taking would only give me elective credit (I’m also told these credits are pretty meaningless). But if any of those apply for actual credits for you, I’d say go for it.</p>
<p>It wouldn’t be a setback but can only help you. Earlier registration is especially helpful earlier during your college career. In addition to not having to fulfill elective units or certain ge/major requirements, you can graduate a semester or two earlier.</p>
<p>Unlike what aMacMom said, it doesn’t have an effect on a double major or minor because you would meet the total unit requirement fulfilling either one of those (which is the purpose of elective units).</p>
<p>War Chant is correct about total units, but in our experience (because of registration priority) being able to focus on specific and in-demand classes needed for dual degree fulfillment in the first two years made it easily doable.</p>
<p>The more you have, the better - You’ll never not be able to take classes you need, but the more units you have, the earlier you register… meaning that you’ll have your pick from all the timeslots available (and avoid ending up with 8AM lectures)</p>
<p>D came in with the max AP credits and has found it useful during registration as well. She has never been shut out of a class she wanted or needed, and often got the best time slot for the class (10am vs. 9am), or best professor teaching the class (according to friends). She has also used AP credit to get out of pre-reqs for higher level classes (for example, starting in higher level Calc class because of AP for the pre-req). I guess in the end it was somewhat worth all the $$ spent on AP tests and the stress for her during high school.</p>