Self-studying AP courses?

<p>According to the counselors at my school, they've never heard of anyone self-studying an AP course. </p>

<p>I want to self study AP Psychology and Environmental Science, but the AP Coordinator/counsleor absolutely refused. Since my academics are good, they decided to let me self-study Psych, only after discussing it with the main principal. However, I have to pay for the exam! I don't understand this at all -- if I took the class the exam would be free, but self-studying it to conserve junior and senior year schedule slots requires a $87 payment?! The AP Coordinator I spoke to also assumed that I'm an 'idiot', because I'm a sophomore (no joke). I took one AP class (AP Modern European History as a freshman and got a 4 on it (this was the his second four out of 200+ students that he taught!). He NEVER had a student get a 5.</p>

<p>My main question is why do I have to pay for it? After doing extensive research on this subject matter; other threads on CC claim that all you have to do is sign up for the exam with no fees required. </p>

<p>Can I self study APES even though it's no offered at my school and take the exam elsewhere in the district?</p>

<p>Thanks for the help all.</p>

<p>at my school, you can self study anything you want, as long as you pay for the exam, and arrange to take it somewhere it is offered.</p>

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<p>If you take the class, do you have to pay?</p>

<p>You have to pay even if you take the class at my school. It’s different at every one, though.</p>

<p>At my school, if you take the class, no fees are required. It’s hard to explain, but I just wanted to self study AP Psych., take the exam when test comes around as if I were in the class.</p>

<p>Ya, at my school you always pay for the exam. There is financial aid available though</p>

<p>I’m guessing that they’re forcing you to pay to show that you’re really interested in self-studying the course. Either that or it’s against school policy.</p>

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<p>Come to think about it, you’re right. The AP Coordinator tried to intimidate me from doing so. If they won’t pay, then I’ll pay. I guess it’s worth it though – comparing a mere $87 to thousands of dollars for a few college credit hours…</p>

<p>Also, is studying AP Psych on my own with Barron’s and multiple online resourses enough to suffice for a 5?</p>

<p>^ From what I’ve heard and read on here, yes.</p>

<p>Most people have to pay to take the AP tests whether or not they take the class. If you don’t have to pay, then you’re lucky. If you do, then you’re like most people, so don’t complain.</p>

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<p>Well, seeing as I know that people have self-studied that test and gotten 5s, most of his students were clearly not very motivated to study outside of school.</p>

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<p>Yes. It’s resources, by the way. Just Barron’s would suffice too.</p>

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<p>Most? Yes, that’s very true, but I didn’t have the chance to self study before the test. Also, I didn’t use a review book, unlike everyone else in his classes. Just class knowledge and some online RESOURCES. ._.</p>

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<p>Ah good ol’ spelling/grammar mistakes that occasionally slip. </p>

<p>Is Psychology even crucial to college graduation credits?</p>

<p>The exams cost money no matter what. If you take the class, some schools have enough money to pay for the exam for everybody. However, if you’re not taking the class, they don’t cover your cost, and you have to pay for it. </p>

<p>Unfortunately my school doesn’t cover the cost so Im going to have to dish out over $200 for my exams this year. :/</p>

<p>Hopefully my school offers AP Chemistry and Physics. I’ve decided that I’ll pay for the exams if it’s worth it. If they don’t offer Physics B or C, I’ll have to self-study it and pay for it. </p>

<p>I plan on being a Math/Physics (or something science) major, so will self-studying AP Psychology or APES significantly impact anything related to this?</p>

<p>It all depends on the college. They all have different AP policies. Check out their websites to find their guide. Some will offer credit in units, some will satisfy prerequisites, and some will satisfy general Ed. It all depends.</p>

<p>yeah it completely depends on the school. However, Psychology and Environmental Science are less likely to be accepted since they are seen as two of the easiest APs. You may be able to get general ed credit like hoopser77 said, but I doubt that they would give you credit for a core science course pertaining to your major. Physics and Chemistry are a totally different story though.</p>

<p>Why is the idea of having to pay for your own exams affecting you so much? You’re lucky that your school district pays for exams if you take the course; I had to pay $485 in exam fees for the May 2010 AP tests. At my school the only students who don’t have to pay for their own exams are those whose families have such low income they get free/reduced price lunch, and even then most of them still have to pay the $15 deposit per test required in February/March. ($15 minimum is due then, the other $72 per test is due a little later.)</p>

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<p>Yep. I looked at various colleges’ AP policy and Psychology is accepted as a general ed. course. Which should fulfill the the elective credits required for graduation.</p>

<p>The reason I decided to self-study AP Psych. is because I wanted to free up some space for AP classes/dual enrollment CC and 2 electives I’m taking for the rest of HS. If Chem and Physics are added to the curriculum, I definitely can’t take Psych.</p>

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<p>I thought the school would pay for self studying it too. But that’s not the case. If you were with me when I spoke to the AP counselor, you’ll definitely understand… “anything less than a junior = not intelligent” - that’s their view.</p>

<p>Maybe you can try some online classes (i.e. CTY, CTD). Self-studying is difficult to say the least and it is very tempting to procrastinate sometimes. Plus, your school can probably accept the credit.</p>

<p>^Just out of curiosity, what are CTY and CTD?</p>

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<p>[Let</a> me Google that for you…](<a href=“http://lmgtfy.com/?q=cty+ctd+online+courses]Let”>http://lmgtfy.com/?q=cty+ctd+online+courses) lol</p>