<p>I am currently enrolled in Ap US History class but I failed the first semester ):
The reason for that is because we don't get many assignments that count towards our grades. We have homework, but it's used for review and doesn't count towards our grades so the only items that count are quizzes and essays. Another factor that should be taken into consideration is that we've only had at most 10 quizzes throughout the whole semester. I had a B for more than half of the semester but just as we approached finals, we had a quiz, an essay, and then the FINAL (which EVERYONE failed). Knowing that I scored low in the quiz, the essay, and the final I thought I would end up getting a D but to my unfortunate surprise I recieved a F. Now, I'm not sure what to do. If I re-take the first semester of U.S. history (regulars) will that influence colleges' decision in my admittance? Should I still take the AP test?What happens if I recieve a B or higher for second semester of APUSH? Any and all advice is greatly appreciated :)</p>
<p>YES take the AP test for the love of god don’t waste all that effort that you put into the class although you failed, btw APUSH is a cakewalk in most schools maybe not yours but the AP test is not hard when compared to other AP tests. You will do fine on the ap exam.</p>
<p>Well, to start out with, you need to be honest. The entire class did not fail the exam.</p>
<p>“APUSH is a cakewalk in most schools”</p>
<p>I spent an hour or so reviewing the APUSH curriculum as posted on the College Board last year when my Junior D was taking it. Wow, it covers a tremendous amount of US history and material, putting the teacher in the horrid position of providing reams of notes or assigning text reading and then quizzing or tests for competency. Really, have mercy CB on the teacher and the students by considering splitting the AP test into two. The goal of AP courses are college preparation in all ways, not just memorization and regurgitation of facts. You kids seem to think this is acceptable in learning, and it isn’t. Perhaps that is why some schools are shying away from the AP requirements.</p>
<p>I feel for the OP. Not all APUSH classes obviously are easy and much depends on the teacher’s approach and clarity of quizzes/test timing from the get go. If it’s haphazard, so may be your preparation time.</p>
<p>Might you be able to W from APUSH, OP, drop to Regular US Hx second semester, and ask to repeat first semester US Hx over the summer to replace the W? Definitely speak with your Guidance Counselor for helpful suggestions. There is almost always an alternative solution to a problem in life. Good luck.</p>
<p>I know exactly what you mean. My school’s APUSH class is also really intense. You really should take the AP test if you think you can pass. If your F is an anomaly on your transcript colleges might give you the benefit of the doubt. You also should (and probably have to) retake first semester.</p>
<p>I didn’t mean to come off as a smart ass, I have a really easy time with APUSH mainly because of the great teacher I have, however my school has a notoriously hellacious World History AP program that is torture, yet the AP test was much easier than the course itself. I’m sure this trend applies to your situation as well.</p>
<p>If you get a B second semester it will tell the colleges that you turned yourself around, which is great.</p>
<p>everyone has good ideas, i barely received a B- in my AP USH class. not only is it the hardest class at my school, it’s the hardest AP out of all AP classes… but definitely, do something about that F, replace it somehow. a F on your most important year of HS does not look too hot…</p>
<p>Colleges love to see an upward trend so defintely try to get an A the second semester. Maybe that would even out to a High C or perhaps even a Low B given the final test grade. Definitely give the AP Exam because that is college credit after all. If you get a 4 or 5 on the exam it’ll show colleges that you were well-versed on the subject but that the curriculum was just a little challenging to keep up with. Besides if you pull off a C+ or B in the class, the colleges you apply to will never know about that F!</p>
<p>Depends on where you want to apply really… if you’re looking at top 20 colleges, I think an F kills your application. I’m sorry.</p>
<p>@sunnyflorida: Yes, my entire class failed the final exam. The final was out of 80 questions and the highest score was a 49. A D- ! I found out I wasn’t the only one whose grade went down so drastically. Most people ended up with D/C :|</p>
<p>I can empathize with your experience. This year in BC calc, our midterm exam was an AB exam from a few years ago. As you may or may not know, a 5 on the AB exam equates to getting ~60% of the questions right - however, our teacher did not curve the test. I got a 78%, which would be solidly in the 5 range under the AP grading system - nevertheless, I ended up getting a C+ on the exam. Our teacher explained his reasoning thusly: A BC Calc student should be a complete master of the AB material. I guess I can’t really argue with that. 40% of my class failed the exam.</p>
<p>Have your GC state in the midyear report that everyone failed the final. I don’t think it’ll help much, however. Make sure you get a good grade in the 2nd semester and a solid AP score so they know you learned.</p>