<p>Is there any reason at all for me to expend any effort taking additional AP tests beyond the 8 test limit (8 tests w/ 4 or 5= 32 credits at USC)? Although I know I can't get actual credit for them, will they help me get even more registration priority than those with "only" 32 credits? I know this is a long shot... but I'm kind of bummed I paid all this money for these stupid tests only to discover I can't get credit for them...</p>
<p>If it's pertinent, I've gotten 4s or 5s on bio, calc AB, spanish, lang and world history. This year I'm taking 5 more... but sadly, I can't get 40 units of credit :(. The tests for this year are APES, Comp gov, us gov, lit and stats. </p>
<p>Does this mean I can just blow off the final 2 and draw pictures in the booklets? :) I know I'll get at least 4s on all the tests I try on.</p>
<p>First of all you should try your best on the AP’s cause it’s the “right thing to do”. I almost got in a good bit of trouble with my high school way back when because I blew off a few AP’s and angered the wrong administrators. </p>
<p>Another thing to think about is which AP’s place you out of which classes at USC.</p>
<p>There are six categories of GE’s at USC and most of them you can place out of if you get a 4 or 5 on a certain AP. I placed out of half of them, but could have placed out of one more I think if I had taken a certain AP…and some AP’s I had taken didn’t place me out of anything.</p>
<p>Coming in with 32 units is the second best way to start your first year at USC. The best thing is to come with 32 units, AND place out of as many classes as possible.</p>
<p>I’m too lazy to look up for you what AP’s place you out of what courses. Do that yourself and learn a little more about the school.</p>
<p>First check your major. Then check the AP credit page. It is pretty specific, you should be able to see what you can use - they will all be “elective” credits for S unfortunately due to his major requirements.</p>
<p>First, there are only 2 GEs which can be replaced by AP credit (with 4 or 5 on exam), fulfilling the req PLUS also earning 4 units of credit each. </p>
<p>GE 1 (Western Cultures and Traditions) is fulfilled by either:
AP Art History)
AP European History</p>
<p>GE 3 (Scientific Inquiry) is fulfilled by either:
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics (B)
AP Physics (C- Mechanics)
AP Physics (C- Electricity/Magnetism)</p>
<p>Also, the USC foreign language requirement can be fulfilled (among other ways) by taking AP Language and getting 4 or 5 on exam–but does not earn student unit credit, like above courses.</p>
<p>All other APs with 4 or 5 on exam will count as elective units to the max of 32. </p>
<p>Details here: [USC</a> ARR : Articulation : AP Exam Credit at USC](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/dept/ARR/articulation/apexamcredit.html]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/dept/ARR/articulation/apexamcredit.html)</p>
<p>OP, you will get your GE3 waived from your AP Bio (plus earn 4 units of credit). Your language req will be waived by AP Spanish (however no units of credit). And if you have 7 more APs, (or perhaps 6 more, as the Spanish may count here), you’ll get 28 units credit more as electives. Some majors (Marshall for example) have other pre-req’s which are waived if you get good score on APs (like Calc, I believe) so check the reqs for your particular major.</p>
<p>The risk you take in bagging 2 AP exams is if you should (shudder) get below a 4 on one of the 3 remaining AP exams you take this year. If you should get a dreaded 3, you lose that chance to earn 4 units credit. </p>
<p>But if that is a risk you do not mind, it’s up to you. I think your HS, however, does want kids to take the exams.</p>
<p>So…lets say I get a 5 on AP Music Theory. Does that mean I get to take one less elective course at USC?</p>
<p>Right, I checked out the website and everything, but I can’t find any specific info for my major (probably global health if all goes well switching at Orientation). I’m just assuming it’s the same as on the main AP credit website where it lists the credit you get for each course.</p>
<p>Basically what it comes down to is: I’ll get credit AND placed out of GE 3 from AP Bio, get credit AND place out of the foreign language req from AP Spanish, and then get 24 more “elective” credits for the rest of my tests. So my final 2 tests won’t count.</p>
<p>And I know trying my best on all the tests is the “right thing to do” and I’m a perfectionist enough that I could never actually blow them off and not take them/try at all during the test… it’s just nice to know that I don’t need to give myself an ulcer from the stress of cramming for those two last tests the night before :)</p>
<p>You should not stress about the AP test, you probably know all the material and will do just fine without the stress.</p>
<p>But do take it.</p>