The deadline to buy all the AP exams at my school is the end of tomorrow, and I’m torn because I don’t know which ones I I can get credit for. The best school I’ve gotten into so far is UCSD, but my target is at least Berkeley, and I can probably get in.
The thing is, in my applications (the Common App and the UC app) I said that I was planning to take all the AP tests for the classes I took this year. I took six AP classes this year (Chem, Econ (one semester), Poli Sci (one semester), Literature, Art History, and Statistics) and I got straight A’s last semester. I did it mostly to just prove to college that I was rigorous. And hopefully it worked.
But here’s the thing: each test costs $110, so I’ll have to pay $660 dollars to take tests that may or may not get me credit in college. That’s a ton of money and my family isn’t wealthy.
So my question is whether or not I have to take all the AP tests I said I was planning to take. I’m definitely taking Art History, Statistics, and Economics, and probably Chemistry. But I don’t see why I have to take the Literature test if I got a 5 on the Language test or why I have to take the Government test when my teacher is horrendous and I’m an Economics major.
Thanks so much for your help!
No. You don’t have to take a single one. Read the websites of the colleges/universities on your application list, and find out which exams (and which test scores) give you credit and/or advanced placement. Then think about which exams you are likely to do well on, and take only those exams.
Pay close attention to differences in course credit for English Lang and English Lit, and how that affects finishing credits specifically required for graduation. For example, Lang may get you out of one semester of required composition class, while Lit fulfills an Art/Literature graduation requirement.
Agree that you don’t have to take any. Take whatever ones are most likely to benefit you, which it looks like you’ve already figured out. Remember that even if you don’t get credit sometimes they are useful for placement or to fulfill a prerequisite.
You should consider taking the government one, as that can fulfill some UCSD GEs.
Your high school transcript will most likely be sent to the college before you get your AP scores. If the transcript doesn’t report tests taken, then the college won’t even know if you took the test or not. At this point, it seems the 4 or 5 earned is only if you want to get college credit or get out of an intro course. Best bet is getting an A in the class which will be on your transcript. And certainly, $$ is not laughing matter. That could pay for your college texts! Anyone disagree with this?
@Willow613 - A few high schools require that students take the AP exams, and use those scores when calculating the final grades in those courses. Most high schools don’t have that policy, so it is perfectly fine for students to take only the exams that they feel like taking.