<p>Hello, I am wondering about how to find a test site for the AP Environmental Science test. We've decided to have my ds try this exam, since he will take a course in this subject area in January at our local private university. But I have called 5 local school districts, and none of them offer this test in May. I had gone through the College Board site, which gave me two names to call locally, but neither school offers this test.</p>
<p>Someone mentioned that I might be able to go back to my own school district and ask that they special order this test for me. Would I offer to pay an extra premium in this case? Is this the way I should proceed? Any advice for us?</p>
<pre><code>* Call AP Services no later than March 1 to get the names and telephone numbers of local AP Coordinators. Prepare a list of the exams you plan to take prior to calling so that the appropriate Coordinators can be identified
* Contact the AP Coordinators identified by AP Services no later than March 15.
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<p>When calling Coordinators to arrange testing, make sure to tell them:</p>
<pre><code>* You are trying to locate a school willing to administer exams to homeschooled students or students from schools that do not offer AP.
* You will use a different school code so your exam grade(s) will be reported separately from the school at which you test. (Homeschooled students will use the state homeschool code provided by the Coordinator on the day of the exam; students attending schools will use their school code.)
* The exams you plan to take.
</code></pre>
<p>Once you locate a school willing to administer the exams, that school's AP Coordinator is responsible for ordering your exam materials, telling you when and where to appear for the exams, and collecting your fees, which he or she may negotiate to recover additional proctoring or administration costs. That school must administer the exams for you; it cannot forward them to you or your school for handling.
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<p>I had a very good experience last year with my son taking AP tests at a school district across town, recommended by parents in my homeschooling support group as a high school that offers every AP test and is very accommodating to homeschoolers. This year I will try inquiring at my local high school first, and see how that goes.</p>
<p>When my kids need to take tests, I usually check out the private schools. They seem more accomodating, and offer a wider selection of tests, and often in a better environment.</p>
<p>I'm hoping another homeschooling parent will chime in. I had a heck of a time finding a place for ds to take PSATs, and haven't lined up a place for his APs in the spring. Now he needs a site for SATs (he gets to use a computer for the essay so he can't test at a test center) and here we go again.</p>
<p>Those who have had success with this, what's your strategy? Who at a school do you call? Do you offer them payment to cover the proctor's time? I'm at wits end. Where I live (SF Bay Area), no school wants to test outside students.</p>
<p>I usually find better luck calling assistant principals than principals (who often don't return phone calls). But for AP tests you contact an AP coordinator. I don't know from personal experience about special testing arrangements for the SAT.</p>
<p>I did well to quit calling schools.
Call district offices and ask to speak with the AP Exam Coordinator.
Tell them you are a homeschool parent looking to find a place for your S/D to take the AP exam. You will be passed around the office two or three times. Speak with someone at the district.</p>
<p>Thanks, hifi. Your advice was spot on. The district called me yesterday after I'd made a couple of calls, and assured me that they'll find somewhere for Fang Jr. to take the APs. I may have to push some more for the SATs, but at least I'm in the right spot.</p>
<p>Interestingly, though, I think my calls around to various schools last year and the year before had a good effect. The district person told me that they had had an AP testing meeting last week, with representatives from all the schools. Several of those reps asked about how outside students should be tested. So even though they all turned me down last year, at least I got the issue on their radar.</p>
<p>probably too soon to go back to the well just yet
BUT
find out if the district schools offer the AP exams Fang Jr is interested in.
For example - the district in the next county over from me is very willing to accomodate for the AP exams they offer.
Check out websites of high schools in your area, . . . , to find out if Fang Jr.s' exam will be offered.
S prepared for US Govt but neighboring county only offers Comparative Govt.
No problem, the nice people at the district had me contact another district that offers US Govt.
If there is a really good H.S. in your district, chances are that nearly all exams are offered.</p>
<p>For AP's we work with a small Christian school that will order any test if we will provide a proctor. Helps keep them active with College Board (they have few students each year) and gets us those stranger tests.</p>
<p>For the SATs you shouldn't have to contact the schools at all. You sign up for SATs via the CollegeBoard website. It's not about them "letting" you test there. The schools are testing sites for that date's exam -- but any student from any school can choose to test there.</p>
<p>Jml-- You're right, except for students with disabilities. My son is approved to use a computer to type his essay for the Writing portion of the SAT. That accommodation is not offered at the regular SAT testing centers.</p>