<p>So, almost everything I've heard says that colleges like AP classes because they show that you're challenging yourself, but don't care about the tests that much, except for placement. I go to a relatively elite boarding school that doesn't have AP classes, but considers its classes to all be of that difficulty level or higher. The classes don't teach to the AP test at all, but a lot of my classmates study on their own and take the tests anyway. If I don't feel like I have the time to study enough to get good scores, would colleges care if I just don't take the AP tests? Or are they important to have?
Thanks!</p>
<p>You’ll probably want to take the ones that are useful for placement at the schools you are interested in.</p>
<p>^^
I agree with ucbalumnus.</p>
<p>Two APs that will almost always help in placement are math (Calculus B/C) and Foreign Language (e.g. Spanish, French, Latin, etc.). Some of the other APs may help in placement at some colleges. On occasion the colleges may have their own placement tests for certain subjects, and there is no particular reason to take the AP since it may not be part of their placement process. At very selective colleges placing out of core courses is not common. But you should check on a case by case basis.</p>