<p>What are the advantages of taking AP tests, im in AP Bio, AP Calc, and AP Govt...</p>
<p>Im not sure if i want to take them, wouldnt it be better to not take the tests and take the same classes next year and ace them instead of moving on to more advanced classes?</p>
<p>yeah I am in the same boat as you...one advantage of taking them is that you can skip out on gen ed. classes and start your major earlier.</p>
<p>I have heard they have no effect on your app. whatsoever. I think I may take one or two, and just take the rest of the courses over again as a Fresh in college and ace them.</p>
<p>They have an enormous impact. I mean 5 5's says something and that something is admit this kid!</p>
<p>even if you take the tests, you won't be forced to move up to higher levels in college. I believe you can still choose to start at basic class levels.</p>
<p>if you do take them, you at least have the chance to get great scores and improve your application.</p>
<p>it wont really bump up my application because i am a senior and have already applied the all my schools</p>
<p>I am a junior and taking AP US History, AP English, and AP Calculus.</p>
<p>I'm definitely planning on taking AP US History and AP English (probally 5 on history, 4 on US). BUT Im not so sure on AP Calculus. Here's why:</p>
<p>My teacher is an amazing teacher, but she goes at a relatively slow pace and gives us EASY questions. Her main objective is to give us a good grade. She's really lax and her quizzes usually are right after shes done reviewing so its basically impossible to get any questions wrong. Also, she doesn't give tests so some of the information I learn so easily is lost. This being said, I have about a 99 average. However, my teacher recently gave us samples from the AP Calculus as homework. Not one of the kids in my class was able to answer correctly more than 20%. Furthermore, in the history of her teaching the class, the highest AP score one of her kids has received is a measly 2.</p>
<p>My question is...would it look worse if:</p>
<p>A) I were to receive a 98 for the course but a 1 or 2 for the AP exam.
OR
B) I were to receive a 98 for the course and NOT take the exam.</p>
<p>Thanks for your time :)</p>
<p>I would say take AP Cal but not the exam b/c a low score would look bad to colleges but teh AP looks good.
But what do i know im just a high schoola</p>
<p>Taking AP courses without taking the corresponding exams looks bad. Don't do it. You're not required to report every AP score you make on your application, so if you do poorly, you don't really have anything to lose. Also, you're not required to accept AP credit for basic courses in college.</p>
<p>If you're a senior, however, it's not a big deal if you don't take the exams. A lot of people do it to save money and time.</p>
<p>yeah im a junior..so youre saying that, if i dont want them to see it, they wont?</p>
<p>p.s. sorry for "stealing" this thread from the OP!</p>
<p>You're not required to list all of your AP scores on the application. Only when you matriculate do you have to send an official score report that has all of your scores. </p>
<p>Colleges, however, will find it sketchy if you've taken an AP course and you don't list a score. So, it's in your best interest to take the exams and have the possibility of putting down a good score.</p>
<p>If your teacher(s?) are so awful, there's no reason why you can't do some outside studying on your own to get that score of a 4 or 5. I don't mean to sound condescending, but thousands of kids a year from both advantaged and disadvantaged backgrounds study for the AP tests on their own and score 5's. So buy some prep books and study on your own if your teacher isn't teaching you anything.</p>
<p>To the OP: Most schools allow you to use AP credits for your Gen Ed requirements, meaning you have more flexibility with courses required for your major, you can take more electives (solely because they're interesting), and you can take fewer classes each semester. Would you rather have all that or breeze through an easy A? Also, which would you look better for grad school (I know not everyone intends to apply, but JUST in case)?</p>