<p>i already posted this in the AP forum but i wanted to hear your opinions here as well.</p>
<p>I signed up for some that i self studied, however, someone from the administration tried to prevent me from self studying because they viewed it as "pointless" (unnecessary credits). However, i wanted to take them because they were topics that interested me and i wanted to take tests that demonstrated my knowledge in areas...and idk, that person made me feel like i was wasting my time trying to take other exams solely out of interest. i signed up for relatively easy exams, but they were still subjects that i was passionate about. do you think it was pointless for me to sign up for them just out of that reason? (and as students, we're required to pay for our own exams. the district doesn't contribute so it isn't because they wanted to save money. )</p>
<p>It depends on the school you end up at. At UCLA, any extra AP units means the quicker I advance in class rank (I’ll be a “junior” pretty quickly), and that helps for enrollment priority.</p>
<p>If you’re genuinely passionate about the subjects you’re taking, then definitely go ahead and take the exams. You’ll probably do better than many who actually took the classes but hated the subjects. Interest is perhaps the best motivation for taking AP exams.
Most AP exams aren’t too difficult too self-study; I know many students who self study, including myself. In fact, the College Board acknowledges that many students prepare for AP exams independent of any formal class. Ignore the administration–under College Board rules, your school MUST allow you to sign up for any and all AP exams you wish to take.</p>
<p>If you get a 5 on the AP test, that’ll probably be better than getting an “A” in an actual class, at least in the eyes of colleges. Getting a 5 and not taking the class is much better than getting an “A” in the class and not taking the AP exam.</p>
<p>AP exams, regardless of whether you took the class or not, will help in your college process, whether it’s in admission, scholarship application, or advanced standing.</p>
<p>Cost really shouldn’t deter you if you’ve prepared thoroughly and know you will do well.
Things you can buy for $80:
College credit totaling from 4 to 10 credit hours
Scholarships
Increasing your chances into college</p>
<p>Would you rather take AP exams at $80 a piece or take college classes at thousands of dollars a piece?</p>
<p>I’ve taken 7 APs so far and have gotten at least 20 credits at a state university–that’s worth at least $10K, if not more, and I’ve spent way less than a thousand taking all those exams. If you’re aiming for HYPSM, you might need need all those APs just to get in the door.</p>
<p>day tripper, the AP only exists in the UK at private American schools. British schools are more fond of the IB and GCSEs. Ask most Britons about the AP and they quite literally won’t know what you’re talking about.</p>
<p>No they’re not. I live in England. They’re completely transferable and British universities can translate them into qualifications, but British colleges are generally not incredibly familiar with the AP.</p>
<p>It’s a shame there’s no in-between. Some people pay out of their wallet after being told the price. Others like myself show up with their $340 neatly clipped and hands quivering at the prospect of carrying/not losing all that money.</p>
<p>It’s also a shame that some people turn in fraudulent lunch ticket forms so that they can save a few hundred dollars.</p>
<p>I’m self studying next year, and my teacher told me I’d have to pay for the test because they didn’t have enough money (free lunch students at my school receive test waivers).</p>
<p>Oh well. Considering I’ve taken 4 APs for free, I can at least pay for one.</p>