<p>I am new to the AP scene, since I am only a sophmore. I go to this competitive magnet high school in New Jersey, and in my school, I might not be able to take some of the AP's offered for junior year:</p>
<p>1)Chemistry
2)Enviornmental Science
3)Calculus AB
4)Macro Economics
5)Statistics</p>
<p>because I might not meet their requirements or I might not make it into the class because of competition. Would it be possible for me to self-study for these and other AP's next year if I don't make into the class at my school? Are there any requirements for self-studying? If so what are they? Do I need to register for it somehwere?</p>
<p>Please tell me everything you know about self studying!</p>
<p>I can tell you from experience that self-studying macroeconomics is relatively easy. I can't say about the others.</p>
<p>As for the requirements, there are none. However, you'd have to speak with a school representative (try a guidance counselor or an assistant principal) to find out the procedure for signing up, paying for, and taking the exams.</p>
<p>Self-studying for AP Stat would be very easy. I think that environmental science would be pretty easy as well. I would not recommend self-studying for Calc AB unless you are VERY good at math.</p>
<p>I am planning to self study macroeconomics and government (my school doesnt offer these AP classes). Does anyone know how I can register for these exams even though my school doesnt offer examinations in these subjects?</p>
<p>If you attend a competetive magnet high school in New Jersey, why not just wait until senior year to get the AP courses you don't get next year? Colleges would probably know your school and courses offered by your school should be of high enough quality, even if they are not AP.</p>
<p>BigIs: its simple, I am planing to apply to colleges early decision, and if I did that then, colleges would not see my score, and thus there is really not much point in doing it, but if I do it Junior year, its almost bragging rights that I took the hardest courses possible!</p>
<p>How does self-studying show them that you took the hardest courses possible? It only shows a desire to pad your transcript by mis-using the AP program. Taking a challenging set of classes, certainly possible in a magnet school, and exceling at them, is what the colleges want to see. What you want to brag about is your passion for learning, and your academic and leadership schools. Instead of spending time preparating for AP exams, pursue and interest that you enjoy. Make a difference in an extra-curricular activity by serving in a leadership position. Extend youself in areas other than academics. That will impress the schools.</p>
<p>I think BigIs is right. You shouldn't abuse the AP Program. The program is to take AP classes if you want to take hard classes. I don't think that you'd learn everything if you self-study it.</p>
<p>The only AP I would say is maybe okay to self study is Enviormental Science, maybe Biology, Stat, Pshycology, and Human Geo. You shouldn't self study any others. I still wouldn't reccomend these though.</p>
<p>wttttffff?? if people want to self study let them self study!! just because people usually take courses for the AP test doesnt mean that's the only way you can take an AP test. I know that's now what youre exactly intending to say but it sure sounds like it. Im self studying for 2 APs this year but only because I like those subjects (calc bc and comsci ab) ... I can do ap stat and env just to pump up my resume but im not...</p>
<p>bigis and sciencenerd...what if the student is interested in the class but unable to take it in school...in order to take the AP exam and do well, you must learn the material, so it is for the sake of learning. I may be self-studying for AP exam(s) this year, but I don't think you'd be as against it since I'm a senior, and thus, I'm not doing it to pad my resume.</p>
<p>How difficult would it be to self-study not for resume padding but to skip the college class? Macro and micro seem relatively easy to 5, but is it possible to learn enough to go into intermediate econ without a huge handicap? I'm going to double major and would hate to waste valuble electives on intro classes.</p>
<p>Not sure it will be. Engineering and political science are where I intend to major; economics may/may not be a marginal requirement for poli sci, but won't be the focus of my major. I agree with your advice, however.</p>
<p>From my experience, what AP really does for you is teach you how to manage time effectively, set goals, and self-study even in a class situation. In the two AP classes that I've taken, I taught myself a good bit of the required knowledge for the exam. Self-studying isn't an abuse of the AP program in my opinion. It shows you're willing to put in some extra work on the side.</p>
<p>I don't think there's anything wrong with placing out of a class that is a prereq. for a major. Most of the stuff taught in previous classes gets reviewed in more advanced classes in the beginning as a brush-up anyway.</p>
<p>I like the AP program; it is very flexible. But, unlike the IB program, AP instruction is really not standardized. Some teachers outclass others by far...so, in the end, all students need to put in a little bit of self-study.</p>
<p>I wish first off that you newbies would use the search function and stop wasting our time and also understand the reason for the AP program which is to provide students with College level classes for PLACEMENT, not admissions.</p>
<p>I guess I am kind of wrong. But what if you don't learn the right things. Like you skip a whole section in say AP Biology. You get the credit, but you might miss some information. That's a good arguement.</p>
<p>Just wondering if you already have enough AP Credits should you still take more. For example I am going to have like 3 AP sciences so should I still take another AP Science. Same thing with History. I am going to take all the AP's for history except AP European History so should I just self study it or just leave it.</p>
<p>Sciencenerd, that is a good argument in general. But for your specific case, since that is the course I took last year, I must comment. I don't want to insult my teacher, but she did skip over a significant portion of our textbook. I had to teach that material to myself. Biology is a forgiving exam, but it can be stressful leading up to [the examination] because you are required to "know" fifty-two chapters of material.</p>
<p>Why not take more? AP is challenging and fun. If you take so many AP sciences, it demonstrates a strong interest in science. Likewise for history. The decision to self-study is based on time constraints and availability.</p>