I’m debating over ap Chemistry, ap us gov, and ap macro. I’m in the classes and I’m fairly confident I can do well(4 or 5)on these tests but I’m not sure if it is worth the time/effort/money to take. Also, the chem test is the same day as my psych test. I plan on going pre med and majoring in biology; will having these AP credits be useful?
Take them, unless your family can’t afford it. You may be able to get credit for them at the school where you end up.
AP Chem is a rigorous course. AP US Gov. is a respectable course. AP Macro and AP Psyche are considered relatively easy and the subjects are better taught in college than high school. If you need to drop one, drop Psych as it conflicts with the Chem test.
Definitely take Chem over Psych. Chemistry is a required pre-med course (regardless of major) and not as many people do well on the AP Chem test as opposed to the AP Psych test. US gov is also a good one to take.
Take both. In AP Psych, you either know it or you don’t.
They do not conflict. They are on the same day, but at different times. It’s good practice for college when you may have 2 exams on the same day with no option of rescheduling.
While true, most US med school will not accept AP scores in chem in fulfillment of its prereqs.
Anyway, back to the OP’s question. It looks like your a senior. So if any of your target colleges will give credit, I’d take the exams unless money is an issue. If none of your target colleges give credit for a certain exam, then it’s pointless, IMO, to take the exam unless the HS requires it.
While you will not get credit, Chem is a course that many find quite difficult and it would be good to have a solid foundation. Just my 2 cents.
Thanks for the advice everyone. Just to make it clear, I’m taking all the classes I mentioned already but I’m debating if I should not take the test. I registered but if I cancel any tests now I would get a nearly full refund. Also, not to sound arrogant but I’m pretty confident I have a pretty good chance getting a 5 in each test besides Literature.
They seem expensive, but if you can save a few classes in college that can be very useful.
If you are pre-med and are taking Organic Chem in a couple of years, you can use those AP credits to only take 12 credits that semester instead of 15+. Or maybe you want to study abroad.
I agree that for pre-med the AP Chem test won’t get you out of taking Chem…but it may place you in a more advance class if you get a 5 (but that probably isn’t good for premed as you want a good GPA).
There is no downside to taking an AP test and doing poorly…they aren’t used when deciding admissions (as many are taken by seniors after they are admitted) and you could get credit.
@bopper Yeah, what you said in your second paragraph is the primary reason I’m hesistant to take AP Chem.
@TheBurbs - do you know where you are headed to college?
You don’t need to take the AP chem exam if you’re taking the class since you’ll have to take the class in college anyway for med school and you can know the contents of the AP class without taking the exam. On the other hand, taking two tough exams on the same day is a good idea for college prep so you could do it just for the experience. But it may be expensive for an experience you can try to replicate for free.
Same deal for psychology: you’ll need to retake it in college for med school (plus it’s usually a class you take to balance your schedule during your first year). Only exception if you see that your college grants you credit for it (not all do because AP psych is easier than the standard intro to psych) and you see a second year psychology class you’re interested in, which AP psych would allow you to skip to.
You should definitely take lit, econ, and gov since those will typically allow you to take lighter semesters when you take orgo.
Medical school treatment of AP credit for pre-med course requirements varies (and may change from year to year). Here is a pre-med advising sheet by a college: