<p>I have Ap physics. I have an A in the class. I don't know anything. I took a practice test and did terrible. I'm not going to pass the exam (like not even a 3) Should I take the exam? How bad will it look if I don't? I know I can cancel a bad score, but how bad will it look that I canceled it?</p>
<p>If I were an adcom and saw a student with an A in AP Physics who didn't list a score, I would think that 1) the student got a 1 on the exam, 2) the school has serious grade inflation and a high GPA will lose its meaning, and/or 3) the student is lazy and unwilling to test himself.</p>
<p>Now, if you think that confirming #1 and #2 are worse than the adcom guessing them, by all means choose not to take the test. I would suggest, though, that you study and learn the material as best as you can. With proper focus, you will most likely be able to earn at least a three on the exam, which will certainly not keep you out of Harvard. If you have an A in the class and your school isn't too too terrible, then I suspect you will manage to score a three.</p>
<p>What about in a situation where I might be burdened with taking far too many exams if I took one for each class? I'm planning to cut down my AP exam load from a possible 7 to a more reasonable (but still expensive) 4 exams.</p>
<p>I hate to be the one to say this, but... if you can't get a 4 or 5 on a stupid AP test, how on earth do you think you'll do well at Harvard?</p>
<p>Not having the money isn't really a good reason, except in rare circumstances--the AP board will knock $22 off the cost if you really need the money, and just about every state will help pay the fee if that isn't enough. I mean, don't feel obligated to take the tests, but don't feel like colleges will think you didn't take them because of financial hardship.</p>
<p>Really? I've never heard of reduced AP rates or the state of California paying for AP exams, but that might just be my bad luck or ignorance...</p>
<p>Actually, besides finances, I simply don't see some of my exams as being accepted for credit or being otherwise useful at the institutions I'm considering. Also, personally, I think my sanity could be at risk for taking 7 three-hour long tests in the space of two weeks... ;)</p>
<p>For the $22 AP fee reduction, you need to contact the college board. California will help pay your AP fees if your family income is less than or equal to twice the poverty level.</p>
<p>Randomperson, I got a three on an AP exam, and the two current students I know at Harvard got 3s on AP exams, as well. In my case, I had an A in the class (this is thought to be the toughest teacher at my school, and only three or four students got As), and I understood the material. My writing on the subject was excellent. For some reason, that particular AP test and its format for the subject did not go over well with me, and I didn't do very well on the test. My other scores (in similar and different areas) are all 5s.</p>
<p>Lord, they may not be useful for credit at the institutions you are considering once you are in, but they will certainly be useful in getting there.</p>
<p>Yeah, but I'll put up decent cash that they got the 3s at the end of senior year and that they didn't exactly spend night and day studying for the tests....</p>
<p>"I hate to be the one to say this, but... if you can't get a 4 or 5 on a stupid AP test, how on earth do you think you'll do well at Harvard?"</p>
<p>I don't think everyone's fortunate enough to go to a school where all the teachers actually teach. I taught myself AP chem and managed to get a 4, but there are plenty of people who could be 4 material who failed because we have totally incompetent science teachers at my school.</p>
<p>I would think if you felt you were definitely going to fail the exam then you shouldn't take it. The adcom can guess you probably would have failed if you had taken it, but if you actually do take it and actually did fail, then the adcom would know for sure that you failed it. They wouldn't have to question whether or not you would have failed, they would know.</p>
<p>It's simple-
1. Some schools don't have the greatest teachers in teaching to the test (mine was very good, but not just good for the course-we didn't finish the last 40 years of US History).
2. Sometimes you have an off-day.</p>
<p>One test doesn't measure your aptitude in a subject definitively, but if you are so smart (apparently smarter than us heathens who score 3's) then you would already know this.</p>
<p>Wait, who are you talking to? who are you addressing mystic merlin? "if you are so smart" who is the "you"?</p>
<p>I am talking about "randomperson".</p>
<p>Settle down...heh.</p>
<p>ha (ten char)</p>
<p>
[quote]
Yeah, but I'll put up decent cash that they got the 3s at the end of senior year and that they didn't exactly spend night and day studying for the tests....
[/quote]
That is not the case. Both earned 3s during their junior years. I do know these kids pretty well; one is a good friend of my sister, and the other is my best friend's ex. </p>
<p>I admit I could not spend "night and day" studying for the test because of family problems and other AP tests. Perhaps I would have gotten a higher grade had I been able to do that, but I was not. I am perfectly fine with my 3.</p>
<p>In Hillsborough county (florida, Tampa) they pay for every single AP exam so long as you have taken the class....nice thousand dollar savings :) To bad we do not have the best teachers thoo</p>
<p>Thanks for the info, Phoenixy. I'm not sure I qualify for the waiver though. :/</p>
<p>corranged, I agree that AP exams are nice little boosts as far as applications, but at this point all that has already been sent in, so I'm less concerned about that aspect. But I hope they don't automatically assume I will take all 7 AP exams for the classes I've taken. I'm cutting out the ones that rarely get credit and/or are in the same time slot as exams I do have to take.</p>
<p>I say if you are going to fail it, don't take the test and waste the money. It would look worse if you proved that you can only get a one instead of giving them a possibility of you getting a five. I would take it if i was confident in that subject or least able to bring in a 3. Otherwise, don't waste the money. I have 6 AP classes (all of my classes are AP's) but doesn't mean i'm going to take them all.. In fact, i'm only taking 2-3...</p>
<p>Shark_bite, I don't want to sound like an ass here...but, damn, isn't it nice being a senior, not having to worry about the AP exams hurting my admissions chances? ;)</p>
<p>Seriously though, don't worry about it. Aim for a 3. Like somebody already said, a 3 will not keep you out of Harvard.</p>
<p>Ugh, I already got a 3 in Ap Lang. I don't know if I can risk getting another. (My handwriting is terrible, especially on those tests when the your fighting the clock.)</p>
<p>Still, I already signed up for it. Good luck to me.</p>