<p>If the school pays for it, he should take it. If not, save your money. I'd treat it just like any other test if the school pays - taking the test and getting the score is an educational benefit for you son. Until I read that the school pays I was going to suggest he just take a "sample" test from a review book. (I, too, resent the prices College Board exacts for test fees.)
Sometimes we forget that education is the goal. Credits, helping you get into that 'dream" school, etc. may be motivations - but learning is the goal. And taking the test will help him learn.</p>
<p>Boy I wish my S's school district paid for the exams they REQUIRE the kids to take in their Ap classes. I just wrote the check this morning for 5 exams....Economics requires 2 (!!) AP tests,micro and macro.Good thing is the college he will be attending will give him credit (has 3 taken already prior to senior year) so while not intending to graduate early,he'll have more flexability in scheduling.</p>
<p>"Would it be unethical to not even bother trying on the exams that I know I won't get credit for?"</p>
<p>Yes, that is unethical, because the teachers are judged by how well their students do (officially or unofficially).</p>
<p>I see people mentioning taking the AP tests out of respect for the teachers. Can you explain to me how the teacher benefits? I know that in some courses, the teachers give 'study sessions', but I thought that was to help the kids, not the teachers.</p>
<p>My S had teachers actively suggesting he not. :(</p>
<p>My S decided that 5 was too many. He selected three to focus on that he can probably use the credit for (e.g. foreign language). We've really heard arguments pro / con for taking the tests vs. retaking the course in college. We've been told as we've visited colleges one last time:</p>
<ul>
<li>You probably need to take the intro course in your major anyways. Eg. if you're a Chemistry major, forget the Chemistry AP test.</li>
<li>Take as many AP test that are unrelated to your major as possible (e.g. for engineers, take the History / foreign language / English APs, skip the Physics / Math) They say it gives you a nice cushion if you get to college and need to take a light load or drop a course.<br></li>
<li>If you are good at retention, go ahead and take the tests 'related' to your major. Else, plan to take the course in college.<br></li>
<li> Check with your intended colleges to see what they will honor. My S is taking Stats and at least one college gives no credit for it.<br></li>
</ul>
<p>Sorry, I don't buy paying $82 for a 'practice version of a final test'. These kids have been tested out the wazoo. They know how to take tests.</p>
<p>I agree with your S. Prepare for the two and pass on the others. Who needs to spend the money and time on tests that won't help him. I'm sure his teachers will understand.</p>
<p>apple17 I'm not saying that respect for the teacher is the only issue here, or even that it is a rational sentiment. It's just that the teachers do give a lot of their own time to reviewing for these exams and they really encourage their students to take them. I know at least one teacher has said that she considers the exam to be an integral (no pun intended) part of the curriculum. And our school district does pay most of the cost. As to how taking the tests personally benefits the teachers, I know that the number of AP tests is one measure of a school district's good reputation, which is ultimately to the benefit of the teachers. It also helps the school expand its AP program, something the teachers here would like to do.</p>
<p>On the other hand, all the posters here have made excellent points and I am no longer concerned that taking two rather than four of these would affect my son's own best interests in any way. </p>
<p>As some of you have remarked, I agree that the biggest winner in the process might be CollegeBoard itself!</p>
<p>By only offering AP courses senior year the school (district) has created this dilemma, not the student or the teachers. They must know this will occur from time-to-time and are currently willing to live with it. I would vote with the group that says forget the tests, just enjoy what is left of the senior year.</p>
<p>idad - Good point!</p>
<p>For a contrarian point of view. I'd suggest he consider taking the two exams just in case he may transfer from his superselective school to another school which WOULD honor his AP scores. Transferring iis not unheard of & sometimes colleges are more flexible about accepting AP credits than it initially appears.
The other thing is that most colleges allow you NOT to use your AP credits & take the course anyway if you choose. Someone else posted that their child was just 1 course short of the number s/he needed to graduate due to some administrative glitch & the AP credit was able to let the kid graduate with everyone else rather than after taking a summer school course. In any case, I figure it can't hurt to have the AP scores in your child's pocket, as insurance, "just in case."</p>
<p>Regarding CollegeBoard, I agree that they sure do profit from this whole process. There seem to be an awful lot of bright parents here on this board. Maybe we could start our own testing service to help fund college educations??</p>
<p>In my house, one is an adult once he takes AP calc. </p>
<p>Adults decide these things on their own.</p>
<p>beprepn That's a fair comment. Ultimately, he will be the one to decide what he wants to do. The fact that he thinks it's senseless to take these tests doesn't mean he doesn't want to get feedback on the subject though. We are not being at all heavy handed about this, and he is truly interested in knowing if there are other sides to the issue that he hasn't considered, which is why I posted the question on his behalf. But yes, in the end, it is his decision to make.</p>
<p>I see no reason to coerse your son into taking the tests simply for the sake of taking the tests. They serve no benefit if he cannot receive college credit for them at his chosen school and he's already been accepted without taking them. </p>
<p>High school courses typically do not REQUIRE that you take the tests at the conclusion of an AP course. . . it is a choice. He does not owe it to the teachers to take them unless it was outlined as a course requirement. He'll have plenty of tests in college. . . I recommend giving your son a break.</p>
<p>Don't bother taking the tests that won't help you, he has taken the class, that is the important part...why pay $80+ per test when you cannot use it. My D took 4 or 5 and NONE of them could be used to get her out of the classes, she got the units for her total, but still took all the classes, as the classes were required for her major, the tests were a total waster of money for us.</p>
<p>I think your S should still study. I'm sure he got into a really good school, probably since the school's not recognizing the AP credit. But having a little background in the subjects through his AP classes may save some time and perspiration in college.</p>