Will taking an AP class without taking the exam hurt my admissions chances?

I’m currently taking AP Spanish Language & Culture along with 5 other AP classes. However, even though I got an A in the class, I am sure that I will not pass the exam, which will result in me having wasted $98. Furthermore, I feel the need to focus my energy in my 5 other exams. My question is: will not taking the AP Spanish exam hurt my chances of admission to more competitive schools?

Simple answer is no, schools don’t care. Anecdotal evidence - my son did not take the AP Spanish test and he was admitted ED to Northwestern.

Just asked our GC this question last week. Schools will never know. Our S19 skipping AP Comp Sci test and super happy about that! According to our GC, schools don’t use APs in admissions decisions. They are mostly used for determining placement and/or credit if the student is accepted.

Skip it. If you end up attending a place that will give you credit for the Spanish CLEP, you can take that exam whenever it suits you for about the same cost as the AP exam. It also is much shorter and no essays. If you do decide to continue on with Spanish once in college, the Spanish department almost certainly will have its own placement exams to determine the right class level.

Thank you all so much! I have been stressing out for quite a while about my upcoming exams.

Good luck on the rest of your exams!