<p>If you choose not to take some AP tests because you're afraid that you might get below a 3, does it look bad? Is it better to fail an AP test than to not take it?</p>
<p>No one really cares about AP scores.</p>
<p>...unless you're HYPSM</p>
<p>No, just no one in general.</p>
<p>AP tests aren't a factor in the decision. It's like asking how important AMC scores are. It's nice if you scored well, but no one cares if you did badly and decided to not write your score down.</p>
<p>I only wrote down the AP's I scored a 4+ on.</p>
<p>For most colleges, it does not really matter. But if you are applying to the ultra-competitives...it matters to a certain degree....because of this, it is mandatory to report your AP scores for certain schools</p>
<p>what i mean is do I have to take an AP test after taking an AP class</p>
<p>Do you have to? Unless your school requires it, then simply put, no.</p>
<p>Take some practice tests to see where you stand. Just because you may be struggling in the course doesn't mean you're unprepared for the test. If you find that you really are unprepared, and you don't think that you can (or care to) change that in time for the test, then my advice is to opt out and save yourself the time, money, and stress. Then again, if the fee doesn't bother you and a low score won't be a big issue (whether b/c it goes unreported or unconsidered), then why not?</p>
<p>I went to a school that didn't require AP students to take the tests. I had one class with a student who was truly struggling, and she was advised not to take the test. Other students opted out because they knew they were going to schools that wouldn't take the credit. The vast majority did take most of their exams, but it was always optional.</p>
<p>Just my experience, and I don't know HYPetc. policies, so, if relevant, you should look into friedrice's claim. Depending on the advice you get here, you should also (1) speak with your guidance counselor about whether opting out of the tests could be problematic or could look bad; (2) speak with your AP teacher about whether (s)he thinks you're ready for the test.</p>
<p>well i'm not concerned about the high school...i'm just afraid that I might get below a 3 on the AP test and wondering if it was better to not take the AP test than to fail it</p>
<p>OVerall...no one cares about AP tests. Just that you try your best in school with the most difficult courses. Everyone knows that schools teach differently all that...</p>
<p>At my son's high school, if you are in an AP class you are required to take either the AP test, or the District substitute which almost no one ever passes. The reason the option is given is financial, I believe. My son is taking 5 AP classes and I'm encouraging him to devote his time to the tets in which he has a chance to get a 4 or 5.</p>
<p>My son has one AP class this year. It's his senior year, he's already been accepted to the college he'll attend, they won't accept AP credit or allow students to skip over the freshman level class in that subject (and he doesn't even want to)... so the AP test is a total waste of time, money, and energy in my opinion. He got an A for his semester grade and has continued to hold that.</p>
<p>His teacher heavily, heavily leans on the students to take the test. It's almost like a bragging-rights thing for him about how many of his students take the test and score well. He's retiring after this year, though, so I'm not sure thre's much point in that now.</p>
<p>I'd LOVE to use that $90 or whatever it is now to pay off a little more on the credit card debt! It's totally wasted money from my point of view, and my son would much rather just continue that class until June with his focus on learning and experiencing what the class and the instructor have to offer him without siphoning time and energy off on a pointless test.</p>
<p>Ah... just venting here. He's going to talk to the teacher again next week and try to get out of it. It's not like the teacher can force him to take it, but he wouldn't want to get penalized for not taking it in his overall grade for the class. That's something he has a little worry about.</p>