I took AP U.S. History last semester, and it says so on my transcript. However, I feel there was a lot of material left out by my teacher (our time in the semester was limited). I do not feel confident enough to take the AP exam out of fear of a poor score (it’s highly likely in my mind). Do I have to take the AP exam since I took the class? Will colleges frown upon taking the class and not taking it? I’ve heard that, but I’ve also heard that it would be better to not take it than to make a poor score. I have books to study for the exam, but there was a lot of information the teacher did not cover. What should I do in this circumstance?
AP exams aren’t required, so you don’t have to take it if you don’t want to or don’t feel comfortable doing so. Some colleges might not like that you didn’t take the exam, but usually AP exam scores are only used for credit or class placement anyway, so I don’t think it’s really a big deal and I don’t think it would affect your admission at all. I wouldn’t pay the $91 to take it if you think there’s no way that you’ll be able to pass, but I would try looking through the review book first and then determine whether or not you think you could learn the material on your own. APUSH is not necessarily difficult to learn and teach yourself (I had to learn it all on my own as well because of an issue with switching teachers mid-semester and losing time, but I only ended up passing with a 3), but it is a lot of material and takes a lot of work. It’s your choice! Either way, not taking it or a poor score probably won’t affect whether or not a college will accept you. Good luck! 