My family invested a lot of money into me learning the proper material for AP Bio and AP Chem Exam… however, as a pre med i am advised to retake those classes, so I’m not gonna use the credit. Is this a good move? Do people use AP Exam scores for application boosting or just for classes? Thanks. If I self-report the ap scores will it boost my application scorewise to the officers?
It can’t hurt.
OK DEN MY FAMILY IS JUST PROBABLY DROPPING A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS!!! @ben69420
You want to back up AP classes with scores. The reason colleges like APs is that there is a standardized curriculum and built-in quality control
You back up your AP class with your grade as far as admissions is concerned. The only reason to spend money on the testing is to get college credit. So yes, @sensodyne I do think you can save the money on the AP test in any case where you know you will repeat taking it. I would, however, send an email to each school/admissions person responsible for your file explaining that you have to take the freshman class anyway so you are saving the money. They will totally get that.
Oh, and easy on the all caps. Some mods will penalize you for it. I won’t unless you keep doing it. It is considered rude, though.
Consider that if you later decide not to do pre-med, you may find the AP credits useful. If you are between 11th and 12th grade in high school, then you still have plenty of time during which you may change your mind.
Also, if you skip the intro-level chemistry and biology courses with AP credit, wouldn’t medical schools accept substitution with more advanced chemistry and biology courses? If you are intellectually adventurous, and find (though trying the college’s old final exams) that you know the material well in the courses that you are allowed to skip with AP credit, then you may want to consider how feasable that is.
Look at some potential colleges of interest and see what they do with AP Bio/AP Chem.
Would they give you credit for the course? Would they place you into a more advanced version of the class?
And like other say, there are many many people that start pre-med but don’t continue…So if you change your mind and have a 5 on the AP Chem then you can place out of that.
Colleges do not place as much emphasis on the AP Score as that can come out after you are already accepted
@ucbalumnus Med schools would accept additional upper-level classes as substitutes for intro level, but a) many schools recommend or require that their bio majors and premeds take the intro level courses and b) many premeds take both the intro levels and corresponding AP, in order to start fresh with the college’s curriculum and/or get a GPA buffer.
Depends on the tier of colleges you’ll apply to. If OP is aiming high, adcoms will like to see the AP scores, which can validate the grades. You don’t have to inform admissions of scores after 12th grade courses.
You may also change your pre-med plans in college and wish you had that AP credit.
There’s really no downside to taking the AP exams. You never know if you’ll want/need to use the credit, and god forbid you do something intellectual like not wasting your limited college classes on stuff you’ve already learned.
Definitely not. I’m not sure what role AP scores really play in the application process, but if they do, they absolutely have to be official score reports.
My D did not take the AP Chem exam for the very reason you stated. But she was a senior so by the time the exam rolled around she was already accepted at her college and had made the decision to re-take Chemistry there (her AP Chem teacher recommended that people who want to take upper level Chem classes take Chem at the college first).
They can be self reported on the Common App. The official reports are for the credit, later. Just don’t misrepresent.
AP Chem and AP bio credits are definitely useful to skip gen ed requirement…as long as you don’t forget the basics. It can save an entire year.
I am going to echo what a lot of people are saying because it is important.
If your parents are spending money on prep for those classes, take the AP exam, as good scores will make you more competitive for college admissions and in gaining scholarships. Additionally, doing so in subjects relevant to your major demonstrate your aptitude and interest for premed, which is definitely positive. The only reason to not take the exam would be because you can’t afford the fees, which does not sound like the case because you said your parents invested money into the courses already. It will benefit you in college admissions to take the exams if you get good scores, and preparing for the exams will also strengthen your knowledge in those subjects, preparing you for retaking them in college, too.
Bottom line, it’s worth it to take them.
I would NOT pay prep classes for AP though…AP cheistry is definitely able to be self-taught
And on the other hand, there is no downside to taking them (other than studying time). If you dont’ do well, it doesn’t matter. You are not penalized
Ok… I’m from Los Angeles so there’s a lot of people trying to do pre med … 
I appreciate the advice and will most likely go through with the studying. Time to hit the books?? 
Pre-med in California is fiercely competitive for the in-state public medical school slots, so California pre-meds should carefully consider backup plans.