What is the point of taking AP Tests in high school?

Question

If you do well on an AP test, and you meet the standards of the college to which you are going, what does it do for you? Do you get to move up to the next level in college instead of wasting money on taking a course that you can skip by scoring high enough on the AP test? Or do you still have to take a placement test in college along with the AP test, even if you get an acceptable score? Or does it depend on the college to which you are going? How does this all work? Thanks!

Answer 1

Scores range from 1-5. The scores are intended to correspond to a grade you would receive on a college level class of the same subject (an A being a 5 and an F being a 1). A 3 (or a C) is considered "passing."

It depends on the college, put most will only accept passing grades of 3-5, with some only accepting higher scores.

It is definitely worth it to take the AP tests. You can get credit for general courses in college, saving yourself headaches freshman year. For example, I went to Notre Dame and was given credit for a full year of college biology just for getting a 5 on the AP test! I got out of my science requirement entirely.

Beyond this, you prove to college admission boards that you are capable of achieving at a college level. It is a standard test across the nation that, unlike the SAT, tests what you are capable of learning, not just general intelligence.

Good luck and study hard if you do decide to take them! (and remember....if you do take them and don't do as well as you'd hoped, no harm done. You don't have to send them to any colleges, and they will never know :)

Answer 2

It all depends on the college you go to and the exam you take. If you score the required grade on the AP test and the school curriculm for that subject match what was on the test, then you will get full college credit for that course and will not have to take it as part of your general courses. If you do not take the AP exams, you can usually still take CLEP tests to receive full credit for that class as well.

The Spanish, Calculus, Physics and Chemestry exams are almost definitely going to get you out of taking the basic college courses. However, be wary of AP World History because many universities are teaching World Civilization instead and will not count as a replacement. However, you usually will still get a general 3 hours credit to add to you total.

Research the colleges you are interested in and find out what AP exams they will accept as credit.

Even if your desired school will not accept AP scores for credit, having high AP scores, or even just showing that you took the test at all will really boost your resume. Colleges and Scholarships like to see that you take on challenges and follow through on goals. According many colllege recruiters, it is much better to have a low AP exam score then to have none at all.

Good luck!!

Answer 3

Money!!!

I took 3 AP tests and I started USC with 12 units. First of all, because of those 12 units, I was able to register earlier and had a better chance to get the classes I wanted.

Secondly, some of my AP classes met my general education requirements. I didn't have to take a history class, a constitution class or Comp 101.

Third, I ended up being able to take a major, a minor, a teaching credential and a year abroad and finishing in 4 years... without those 12 units, I would have had to take three more classes and spent an extra semester in college.

I tell all my students that AP tests are worth the trouble.

As far as placement and which classes you can skip, it varies for each university. Check with the ones you wish to go to for those answers.

Answer 4

the scoring on AP tests range from 1 to 5 1 being worst 5 being genius level. most collages will accept a 3 but some may want a 4. Achieving these levels when you take the test turn into a collage credit. It was like you already took the test when you get into collage and don't have to take it agian.

Answer 5

If I remember correctly, I think it does depend on the college and the course. I think it's way well worth it though! I ended up not taking a single math class in college because I took the AP Calculus exam and did well. I also got out of having to take Intro to Statistics, Chemistry and Psychology. With the college I went to that saved me about $16,000!! It's especially well worth it sometimes (depending on the college) if you don't have to try and fight for a spot in this enormous auditiorium and can take more fun classes later. Good luck!

Answer 6

I took one for AP Bio. I propose the college credit without figuring out to purchase it somewhat, is great. yet different than for that it ingredients prepare for what college tests and the SAT/ACT etc would be like. Plus just about each college I somewhat have ever regarded at seems for persons who do take the AP tests in spite of what they have been given over people who do no longer. they seem for the folk who take tougher training and do take the AP tests.

Answer 7

I am pretty sure that when you take an AP class that you get college credit and yes, passing the AP test shows that you know the material so you dont have to take that class in college. This is what I have been told anyways.

Hope it helps...Go AP!!!!

Answer 8

Taking AP exams (and if you pass) will help you avoid having to take basic courses in college. For example I the AP English and History exams and did not have to take "basic" English or history. Helped save tuition costs for those undergrad courses...
Go for it!

Answer 9

More prepared for college rigorous courses.