<p>Just had a discussion with some people about how useful taking all those AP/IB classes were... and the so-called units you'd get if you passed one of those exams. Most colleges nowadays don't even utilize those test scores anymore. Some students look back and see the extra hours of stress just a waste of their time</p>
<p>What do you think? AP/IB Courses/Exams? Worthless?</p>
<p>I would be very interested in other's opinions. My son (in a rigorous honors English course - didn't take AP because he wasn't even thinking about college last winter) is thinking of taking the AP English exam. I spoke with the guidance counselor and she was not helpful at all. She said kids should not be taking AP courses in high school and that since he didn't take the class, the exam would be useless. Unfortunately, because AP courses are offered at their school, there is a huge watering down of the honors courses (the honors kids take AP, the lower level kids move up to AP). In addition, the kids themselves have a bit of an elitist attitude, so they look-down on the kids who don't take AP. My son now sees he should have taken AP English and wants to try the AP exam. He is our oldest and so this is all new to us. Is it worth taking AP exam at this point? We will have the same problem next year, because his sister, despite excellent grades, was not one of the "chosen few" to get into the AP course. Thanks</p>
<p><em>shrugs</em> Every opportunity to learn is never a waste of time; in particular Advanced Placement courses provide opportunities for learning with greater depth (presumably) in school, without the student having to resort to attempting to get themselves enrolled in a course at a local community college that may conflict with their regular activities.</p>
<p>At any rate, whether it's worthless is relative to the individual I suppose; but there's always a positive aspect - the fact that you're learning new and interesting material.</p>
<p>The "extra hours of stress" are only if you choose for it to be stressful. If you dislike it, don't take the course.</p>
<p>Although it could probably be achieved in a regular class, and I'm sure it has, the foremost advantage of Advanced Placement lies in its (generally speaking) greater preparation for university.</p>
<p>Depending on what school you may go to, the other courses may not provide the depth needed to hone the reading, studying and time management skills required of college work; here, Advanced Placement creates such an opportunity to practice and adapt. There's a larger disparity in most cases between high school and college.</p>
<p>Again, all these opportunities that Advanced Placement creates could be created by students on their own, but (generally) it is easier to learn if one is surrounded by peers (again, which could be done on their own, but unlikely) and assisted by a (presumably) knowledgeable Advanced Placement instructor.</p>
<p>Just my thoughts. <em>shrugs</em></p>
<p>I'm just appreciative of Advanced Placement, given the long string of boredom I've faced in the Canadian education system - supposedly the harder "new Ontarian" system. Although knowledge in itself is reward enough, it's nice to get some sort of credit and some sort of recognition whether through Advanced Placement Awards or admission bonuses in the process (however small they may be).</p>
<p>Relating back to the previous topic of the poster, Advanced Placement creates differentiation, and therein lies its beauty - to accomodate the requirements of a different set of students; obviously not all students may be motivated to learn for learning's sake. In the past I've had to fight vigorously against the uniformity of the system (i.e. Grade 5 to obtain a Grade 10 math textbook due to the slowness of the class - perhaps attributable to the fact that I was in the prairies rather than in a competitive urban environment. This differentiation (presumably) allows us to compete more effectively with the rest of the world.</p>
<p>Again... the views on Advanced Placement are relative to the individual. These are just my thoughts - from a philosophical idealist, I guess.</p>
<p>Anyways, that's all.</p>
<p>Almost forgot to add. With regards to the exams, I think they are useful in the sense that they set a deadline and provide motivation to prepare and learn the topic thoroughly - acts as an incentive to learn the material quicker or more efficiently, even if you would have done it in your own time out of interest - in order to do well on the test.</p>
<p>And then also, it (in some places) can contribute to advanced standing (saving money?) as well as assisting in admissions purposes (AP Awards). But then again... if one were a senior taking AP English Language (which is not recognized at the places I'm intending to apply to and the admissions process is over), then perhaps it would not be as beneficial.</p>
<p>I have no idea what colleges you speak of when you say that most don't take AP credit. All of the Ivy League schools use AP courses for placement, providing you got a 5 on the exam.</p>
<p>I for one will be glad to be able to skip freshman Biology, which is supposedly a near-impossible "weeder class" for the premed hopefuls.</p>
<p>Credit aside, I have learned a lot through the various AP classes I've taken. It certainly is more rigorous than anything else in my high school, and I think it really helps people develop the college-level study habits you need to acquire.</p>