<p>Okay, I think I know the answer to the question above already, but I'm posting this anyway. </p>
<p>So which is easier: self-studying for an AP exam vs. taking an AP course for the same subject (and write the AP exam, of course)? </p>
<p>I'm guessing that taking a course is obviously easier for obvious reasons. </p>
<p>Also, I heard that about a school that doesn't allow you to self-study for an exam if the exam is offered as a course. Are other schools like that too?</p>
<p>I would imagine self-studying is much easier. That way you can cram and get a 5 without having to do homework all year. At the same time if you’d like to actually learn something, take the class.</p>
<p>I’d say self-studying (I’m actually better at independent learning). You can use the internet/books and stuff all that knowledge in your head one month before the exam and easily get a 5, whereas taking a class means a YEAR-long course.
HS kids are underrated. Everyone thinks they NEED teachers for courses. This isn’t true for all teenagers, they can learn and succeed by themselves if they have the motivation.</p>
<p>^Very True.</p>
<p>In my opinion, most of the courses u don’t really need a teacher, but in some, u actually do.</p>
<p>Courses. Most people have to be decently disciplined to self-study and be able to actually focus. A course makes it where you have to know the material. Also, it gives you an opportunity to be with a person who knows the field.</p>
<p>Interesting responses so far… </p>
<p>It’s just that I get the impression that admissions are more favourable towards self-studying an exam versus taking an AP class (from reading the all those self-studying related threads), so I figured that taking an AP class would be easier?</p>
<p>Oh, and does anyone have input on the second question?</p>
<p>“Also, I heard that about a school that doesn’t allow you to self-study for an exam if the exam is offered as a course. Are other schools like that too?”</p>
<p>Self-studying is easier than the class most of the time. For one you don’t have to worry about any HW/Assignments due. You can learn at your own pace. I’m sure colleges like both but I think the class is probably held in a higher regard since there’s more work involved.</p>
<p>Self-studying is easier for me as I learn better when reading than listening. I sit in class for 40 minutes and the teacher basically teaches the textbook, but in a simplified manner, for those 40 minutes. When I get home, I read the more-detailed textbook anyway, so there was pretty much no point in being in class for 40 minutes each day.</p>
<p>But immortalix, perhaps you find it easier to read the more detailed textbook after you sit in class for 40 minutes? </p>
<p>Actually, while reading these forums, I get the impression that self-studying an AP exam looks better than taking the course. Like for example, all those “Should I self-study for Calculus AB or take AB then study BC” threads make it seem like self-studying looks better. </p>
<p>And what do you guys think of the idea “Drop an AP course and self-study for 2 instead”?</p>
<p>ttyl8: I usually fall asleep in some classes (this past year it was in 2 of my 3 AP courses). Anyways, I don’t think you should drop an AP course and self-study for 2 instead. Keep in mind that colleges look at your transcript and the rigor of your courses listed on it. Self-studying, though an impressive feat, is not actually rigorous classroom coursework. If you school offers the AP course, and you have the GPA or schedule space to take it, then take it.</p>
<p>If I am going to be a Senior can I still take the APUSH exam in May even though it is only offered for Juniors at my school? Does the college board care?</p>
<p>jacko5x: College Board does not care when you take AP exams. You can take APUSH any year and you can take AP exams that your school does not offer.</p>
<p>I think it kind of depends on the class. I could not possibly imagine trying to self-study physics or chemistry. Those things are better explained by a teacher. But all the social studies classes and biology are SO much easier to self-study.</p>
<p>oh, and we’re assuming that the student is aiming for a 5 in both cases, right?</p>
<p>As for courseload, my school doesn’t offer an AP courses, so I don’t really have a choice =P And as for courseload rigor, I took most of the rigorous courses in Junior year, so my Senior year looks very birdy right now.</p>
<p>Just remember. Many of the top colleges don’t give college credit for AP’s. You may get to skip the intro class, but you must finish the same number of credits. So, in my book, self studying AP’s as a senior offers no advantage for admission and a very limited advantage for college itself.</p>
<p>Self-studying is not more impressive than an AP course. Colleges think of the AP exams as being comparable to a college final after a year (or semester) long course. Taking an AP class fulfills this, while simply self-studying bypasses the classroom experience that only makes sense. Instead of taking the class in college, you are taking it at school. Believe me, I have nothing against self-studying, but I don’t believe people should replace actual AP courses with self-studying.</p>
<p>Salve, let me guess… you’re saying this because you’ve never self-studied an AP before?</p>
<p>If you only want to get a 5, then self-studying is almost always the way to go. Most AP teachers across the nation are pretty incompetent and don’t do a good job preparing you for the exam. They also do a pretty bad job teaching you the subject. (Just read the CC “Bad teacher thread” if you need proof)</p>
<p>Still, It depends on the teacher. You should almost never self-study if you know that there’s an amazing teacher that teaches the course you’re self-studying. Sometimes an amazing teacher can make it easier to prepare for an AP AND teach a student a lot of meaningful information in the subject. My AP Biology teacher this year was so incredible, that I learned the AP curriculum faster than I would’ve if i self-studied and i got a very enlightening and deep understanding of biology and i also became a much better scientific thinker. </p>
<p>You should almost NEVER pass out on an opportunity like that… it’s almost always easier than self-studying.</p>
<p>I guess I’ll add in my opinion (if I haven’t done so already):</p>
<p>I believe that self-studying and getting a 5 is more impressive than taking a course and getting a 5. The difference is that when you’re self-studying, you’re teaching yourself the material. </p>
<p>I agree that self-studying an AP may be easier for some than taking an AP course. However, I still say that self-studying for an AP is more impressive because the majority cannot self-study an AP for obvious reasons (E.g., discipline, having the initiative to buy study guides and actually do the practice questions, being able to read material and learn it yourself, and most difficultly, being able to understand the material without a teacher explaining the material to you). </p>
<p>Another huge advantage for people taking the course is that you’re aurally hearing the material. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a visual learning or a aural learner, it’s easier to know the material if you’ve heard the material + read the textbook + do the practice questions as opposed to read the textbook + do the practice questions. </p>
<p>As for the people who claim that the teacher can’t teach or you’re not learning anything in class, I don’t believe you and I still think you have an advantage over the people who are self-studying entirely. If it comes down to “the teacher is doing more harm than good” I would drop the course if I were you. </p>
<p>Yes, there are numerous threads out there that said “I self-studied and crammed in the AP material the night (or two) before and I still pulled a 5.” Quite honestly, I don’t think the majority can do that and being able to cram in AP material in a night or two sounds quite impressive already. That shows you’re ready for college and you could cram a lot of material for an exam. </p>
<p>Being able to learn by reading textbooks/study guides is essential for college. College requires more discipline and being able to teach yourself; noone’s babying you and reminding you about deadlines. </p>
<p>With that said, if your school offers an AP course in a subject you like, then I’d say go take it. But if the only AP course your school offers is Chemistry and you hate Chemistry, I really don’t think you should be taking it just because it’s an AP course. </p>
<p>As for the above post, I disagree that AP course = College course. AP course = learning college material, but you still get the level of attention you get in high school. That’s a big difference right there. </p>
<p>And I’d still like to know whether your school lets you take an AP exam if your school offers the AP course but you’re not taking it…</p>