AP Tests

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Kyle14

5-Year Member
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Dec 28, 2009
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Next week I will take my first of 4 AP Tests I am scheduled to take this spring. They include: AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP Economics and AP Government. I am just wondering which if any will possibly count for me as credit and what scores I would need for them to do so? I've always just assumed that they would not count at all but I just want to confirm this.
 
AP credit

The Academy doesn't use AP course scores like a regular school. You can't automatically get credit based on AP scores. You can "validate" courses once you are accepted and enroll. It's kind of the same thing, it's just not automatic. If a cadet validates out of a course(s) that gives them room to take electives later on. They can't graduate early or anything like a civilian school. :smile:

Having taken the AP test and getting a score might help you validate a course, but it certainly will give you a good idea how you compare to other AP type students in that subject area.....and that is probably a good comparison to have since all your fellow cadets probably took similar AP courses in high school.
 
you'll get a chance to validate calc and chem over swab summer which will open up a ton of room for electives when you are an upperclass.
 
so if i understand correctly, validating a course is not solely based on how you score on the AP Test itself it also includes how you did in the course throughout the year?
 
Kyle14 said:
so if i understand correctly, validating a course is not solely based on how you score on the AP Test itself it also includes how you did in the course throughout the year?
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If you can get a copy of the CATALOG OF COURSES, it lists (in Part III) the validation requirements for each department (engineering, humanities, health & physical education, management, and sciences).

Some require college-level coursework, some require written test, some require AP test score of 5, some ask for 2 or more of the previous requirements.
 
when will the department tests be given? I'm slightly concerned that I will forget how to do calculus and chem over summer.... so hopefully they're given in the first couple weeks of Swab summer.
 
does it help?

Does scoring high on AP tests help in the admissions process? My DS scored well on his 5 AP tests during his junior year, including a 5 on his AP calculus test. Seems that scoring well on AP tests would show an ability to perform college level work and would be of interest to Admissions, but I see no mention of it in the application process.
 
The placement tests are given the first week of swab summer. If you score a 5 on the AP Chemistry Exam, you can validate Chem and go into Physics. The AP tests results will show that you have a strong academic background but won't really help you validate any classes.
 
As a mom of a current 4/C cadet, we looked into validating courses etc. She did well on her AP scores for AB/BC Calc, etc.

While on USCGA SOAR events throughout her senior year , some Jr. Officers' opinions were to NOT validate a class, as it would create a heavier courseload your freshman year. But that is a personal decision.

Also, during swab summer my daughter was so "shell shocked" and stressed, she didn't do as well as she thought she would on her placement tests. She is starting in Calculus I, but she is ok with it, so that could be one of her "lighter" classes (kind of a review) and she can focus on other subject areas.

:smile:
 
There were a few honors courses as well. I took Honors Chemistry as a 4/c. Great small group, HARD work. I thought physics was easier than honors chem. but I don't know how regular chemistry was. I tend to agree with the JOs too...so much going on, and you don't benefit that much from surging ahead (you'll still graduate after 4 years).
 
LineInTheSand said:
There were a few honors courses as well. I took Honors Chemistry as a 4/c. Great small group, HARD work. I thought physics was easier than honors chem. but I don't know how regular chemistry was. I tend to agree with the JOs too...so much going on, and you don't benefit that much from surging ahead (you'll still graduate after 4 years).
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But you'll have room on your schedule for bowling, badminton, advanced golf, or skiing your 1/c year!
 
Luigi59 said:
But you'll have room on your schedule for bowling, badminton, advanced golf, or skiing your 1/c year!
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I still had room 1/c year for advanced golf....went with my friend Preston to the subase in Groton, best of 7 series, if you won you got to pick the song in my car on the way back to CGA.
 
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