<p>It's that time again ... $82 a pop ... we're wondering if it's worth it for our seniors to take AP exams in May ... especially for schools that don't give credit. It is nice to see the payoff from a year's hard work when a student does well on the exam ... but the tests sure are expensive.<br>
Parents of kids who know where they are going next year ... what are your kids doing? Anyone out there with previous experience with this situation?</p>
<p>our school charges $85/test. ED son is only taking the one for which he could earn credit (depending on score). But, one counselor I know suggests taking them anyway, just in case a student transfers....</p>
<p>I think my son's school makes the kids take the exams. The exam counts as the course final. My son's ED school (Penn) gives credit for almost no APs.</p>
<p>our school pays half and my ED school (Rice) gives credit for almost all APs... so yes!</p>
<p>Aside from the cost issue, it a little tough to gear up for a good performance on AP exams that don't produce usefull college credit or placement. Would it be worth it just to get National AP Scholar?</p>
<p>I just posted the same question on the Brown forum. </p>
<p>D (accepted ED) will be taking AP Exams in subjects where it may help with correct class placement (i.e. Calculus, Chemistry) but not in other subjects. It's definitely not worth the National AP Scholar designation to her.</p>
<p>Oh you've hit a sore point with me -- my d. is not EA/ED, but she will obviously know where she is going by mid-April. She is <em>required</em> to take the AP exam for any AP classes she is in, but with a little bit of research I found that her AP Lit exam will not be worth extra credit on top of her existing AP English Language score at most of the colleges she is considering - so while the $80 last year was well spent, I don't see any point in shelling out more money this year. D. is trying to get the school to subsidize her -- if not, I'll be making noises as it is a public high school ... but bottom line, I'm not paying unless there is a reasonable likelihood that the exam will produce a tangible benefit. If it was $20 it would be a different story.... but I've got enough to worry about with finances without having my daughter take expensive tests for the trophy value.</p>
<p>The teachers like the bright kids to take the tests as they get credit for how many of their students get 5's and 4's. My S did not take all of his however especially Environmental Science as Pomona does not even count it. Also his college only accepts 2 APs.</p>
<p>Well, I'll be danged. I feel like the earth may fall out of orbit. LOL. D's little rural public school pays all the AP fees. Yes. Mark it down. That's one for our side, which makes a total for us of .....one, but we are on the board.</p>
<p>At our local high school, parents' contributions to the school are available to pay AP test fees for students who could use the aid, administered informally by the guidance counsellors.</p>
<p>My oldest didn't take any AP tests because she didn't take any AP classes, but I don't think that any school in the district requires students to pay the full cost of AP tests.
Since some set such high store on taking the tests, regardless of who passes- is it any wonder that of the schools in our state, the ones that rank highest on Newsweeks list of most AP classes taken, are in one of the most affluent districts?</p>
<p>Our school district pays for 1/2 and the kids pay 1/2. D took them junior year, but didn't take any except one in her chosen field, because her school doesn't count any AP's.</p>
<p>in my public high school we had to pay for our own AP tests. Our senior year, all the teachers wanted to force us to take the AP exams by threatening extra projects to people who didnt. I think that there was some administration change in policy or something, as they had never pushed the APs before. A bunch of parents went in and complained, and the policy was rescinded. </p>
<p>I ended up only taking physics, chemistry, and spanish</p>
<p>The school I was accepted to EA gives no credit for AP exams. However, they are a required part of the course at my school, the $82 must be paid, and the exam must be taken to receive credit. What's strange is that the grade doesn't count for anything, and thus I have absolutely no motivation to do well. I may as well just sleep for four hours, as long as I put my name on my answer sheet.</p>
<p>I'm an ED acceptee and taking both AP and IB exams this coming may (busy schudule). IB exams are required for my graduation (since I will not be completing my provincial requirments) and AP exams are just so I don't slack off too much between now and may. Its better to feel the stress of having to study for exams than just be like ... bleh I got accepted already. I know the point of the class isn't the exams, but I find myself more movtivated when I know there is an assesment in the near future that I'll have to do well on. (plus my school covers over half of the exam fee )</p>
<p>Our school also requires taking the AP exams for any AP course taken. BUT they also required payment by Sept 30.</p>
<p>My daughter never does well on AP exams. Thus, she is taking actual college courses,which is sponsored by both our high school and by the local community college.This way, she can also take selected courses that might be required for potential schools.</p>
<p>Moreover, APs normally are a full year or double period; consequently,she can take double the courses in college over what she could take with APs.</p>
<p>A few years back, my then senior opted out of one AP exam because the college gave credit for >750 SAT II scores. Student thought it best to use study time for another AP. I was happy to save the money!
New school, another student--AP test is required. They unweight the course grade if the test is not taken. I'm guessing this sanction is only of serious concern to underclassmen.</p>
<p>Our school is like Thumper's. AP tests are expected to be taken and payment is made by Oct. 1st. Fin Aid is available in hardship cases.</p>
<p>My daughter's school offers very few APs, and they scheduled the Senior Trip during the week most are given!! No contest there as to which my daughter wanted to do. We looked at the "alternate testing date", and it is either the day of graduation or the day after, so not much motivation there either. I gave up this battle and decided to save my testing fees.</p>