<p>So I was checking out the AP Credit policy for UC Berkeley and it seems like taking the AP Biology and AP statistics exam are kinda pointless. I'm really confused because it seems like you don't get to skip any classes or anything but I might be wrong. Basically, should i take these two AP exams if i'm applying to a major in the colleges of letters and sciences.</p>
<p>This is really important because on the same day as the exams I was supposed to go out of two but I will cancel my plans if these exams are necessary! </p>
<p>And same for UCLA, they don't seem to give credit for either as well according to their AP Exam policies. Can anyone offer me some insight?</p>
<p>I’d always say the more AP the better, and you get raw credits, but just can’t skip the college courses - you can get better standing for choosing classes.</p>
<p>I hate to give you this vague an answer, but it really depends on the major you will apply to. I think that even if you dont end up using the credits, it may be useful for your app if you have a few 5’s, but if your’re asking this late, it means you’ve already turned in your apps and are waiting for decisions (unless you’re a junior). In general, most math science related majors want (or in some cases force) you to take their specific undergrad courses again. E.g. a math major would have to take the 1a-1b math series again, a bio/pre med the 1a-1b bio series etc.</p>
<p>At Berkeley, within L&S, each major decides what AP credit it accepts (the College of Engineering and College of Chemistry have standardized AP credit policies for all of their majors).</p>
<p>Check the department web sites of the majors you are interested in. If the major does not accept the credit, then you may get generic credit units for the AP test score (these may be removed if you take a college course that duplicates or supercedes the AP test material). AP statistics with a score of 3 or higher does satisfy the L&S quantitative reasoning requirement.</p>
<p>The top math students are probably taking H54, H53, and/or 55 or even more advanced courses (110, 104, 113 or the honors versions) as freshmen; there is no reason to make them retake 1A and 1B.</p>
<p>Medical schools are often less accepting of AP credit and want to see actual college courses. But pre-meds have a reputation retaking courses they already know for easy A grades instead of going on to the more advanced courses, though that sometimes backfires because so many other students doing the same thing are packing the grading curve.</p>
<p>^ Yes, they let you skip 1A/1B but they always encourage you not to (which is a load of BS). I’m pretty bitter since I found out I could have gone straight to 53 after it was too late. </p>
<p>OP, do you have a particular major in mind?</p>
<p>The Math Department web page linked above suggests that they are only confident that students who scored a 5 on the AP calculus test should move ahead.</p>
<p>On the other hand, student advisers at CalSO seem to recommend retaking AP credit (both from what I remember many years ago and what some have reported recently).</p>
<p>Wow guys, thanks for all the great info! I’m a senior right now and I applied for the cognitive science major and I hope to do pre-med but to be totally honest I’m a little bit undecided haha. The event I would have to skip to take these AP tests is really important thats why I want to make sure that it would benefit me to take these exams.</p>
<p>and I read about the quantitative reasoning requirement being filled by AP Statistics but it also says getting an SAT math score of over 600 does too. But It seems like many alumnus say that the empty credits still help. So I guess I’m leaning towards taking them both. </p>
<p>Also, I got a 5 on my ap language and composition exam, is it worth it taking the AP Literature exam? </p>
<p>The only L&S major that I know of that AP statistics will be useful for is Psychology.</p>
<p>So if you already have the quantitative reasoning requirement, it will just count for generic credit units. According to stated UC policy, AP statistics units will be removed if you take a statistics course like Statistics 2, 20, or 21 in college.</p>
<p>If you end up retaking Biology 1A/1AL and 1B (or similar college courses at other colleges), any AP biology credit will be canceled if they follow stated UC policy regarding duplicate credit. AP biology credit can be used for some majors that require Biology 1A/1AL, 1B, or 11, though some of those majors recommend retaking it anyway. For pre-med purposes, you need to check with all of the medical schools’ admission requirements.</p>
<p>Yes, AP English language can count only for Reading and Composition A at most; AP English literature with a score of 5 can count for Reading and Composition A and B for students in L&S.</p>
<p>Generic credit units are helpful in increasing your class standing (e.g. you may gain “sophomore” class standing before your second year) which can help in some contexts with course registration priority. However, note the distinction between class standing and class level; if priority for a course is determined by class level, then it is based on the number of semesters you have attended since entry.</p>
<p>thanks for all the information. I ultimately decided I’m def not gonna take AP lit but i’m still iffy on ap bio and ap stats! but thanks once again, all this info def helped me!</p>
<p>Depends what college/major. For example, in some majors, you can use them as prerequisites, but AP credits never count as breadth. I would take the AP anyway, it’s more experience and college courses won’t seem so much of a jump.</p>
<p>L&S does not allow AP credit for breadth courses.</p>
<p>The psychology major has no use for chemistry courses, so AP chemistry will just give you units that may help with registration priority. If you wish to take more advanced chemistry courses, the catalog lists a 3 on AP chemistry as allowing you to take Chemistry 1B, and a 4 on AP chemistry as allowing you to take Chemistry 3A (both of these courses normally list Chemistry 1A as a prerequisite).</p>