AP Testing?

Canihas

5-Year Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2012
Messages
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I was wondering if anyone in AP classes for their senior year is planning to not take the AP tests.

I'm currently taking AP Calculus and AP English. My BGO recommended that I not take the AP Calculus test nor even try to validate out of Calculus I because then I would be put into a harder calculus class for my plebe year. The harder classes would affect my grades and subsequently my class rank, thus ruining my chances at getting my first service selection choice.

Any thoughts on this from other candidates/midshipmen/alumni?
 
That is honestly some of the worst advice I've heard from a BGO. Try to validate what you can. It is very easy here to slack off in the classes that you think are an easy A, and end up with a C or worse. If you validate what you can, your schedule may be a little bit tougher to start, but will be much easier when you're a firstie and can take a more relaxed schedule. Also, if something happens to you between now and I-day that prevents you from coming to USNA, won't you want to have the potential to not have to repeat courses at another college?
 
That is honestly some of the worst advice I've heard from a BGO. Try to validate what you can. It is very easy here to slack off in the classes that you think are an easy A, and end up with a C or worse. If you validate what you can, your schedule may be a little bit tougher to start, but will be much easier when you're a firstie and can take a more relaxed schedule. Also, if something happens to you between now and I-day that prevents you from coming to USNA, won't you want to have the potential to not have to repeat courses at another college?

The advice he gave me went against everything I've been conditioned to be about being ambitious and challenging oneself, thank you. I'm going to assume that your advice is more credible, knowing that you must be a current Midshipman because of your username.
 
In my humble opinion, both are viable options for potential validators: validate some classes and get ahead, or don't validate even if you are able, and take some classes over. I don't think there is a single right answer for everyone.

My DS is a Plebe and he validated several classes and did well his first semester. Validating seemed to work out for him, but he will have a tougher schedule this semester than some of the other Plebes (in addition to the current Plebe fun). From what I have read here, most folks say to validate. The other option is viable too. I know of a Mid that graduated in the top 10% of his class, didn't validate anything. It seems to me, and I am not a USNA grad, BGO, etc., there is more risk/reward/opportunities for the first option, but you can certainly be very successful with the second option too.

The bottom line is your performance no matter what option you select. I think you evaluate both options, and do what's best for you.

bandad
 
My BGO recommended that I not take the AP Calculus test nor even try to validate out of Calculus I because then I would be put into a harder calculus class for my plebe year. The harder classes would affect my grades and subsequently my class rank, thus ruining my chances at getting my first service selection choice.

My guess is that your BGO is either 1) not an academy grad or 2) an academy grad who struggled academically.

In the long run, your academic standing is going to depend much more on how hard you work, not how easy your courses are. There are plenty of, so-called, "easy" courses that midshipmen struggle with for one reason or another.

Both of my sons wanted to pursue Medical Corps. Although one majored in Chemistry, the other wanted to major in Mathematics. Validating two semesters of Calculus, one semester of Chemistry, and one semester of Physics made it possible to pursue Mathematics and still fulfill the other courses that are required by medical schools. (Biology and Organic Chemistry, for example.) Validating was critical.

Besides, it is misguided to think that making A's in easy courses is the ticket to getting your first choice in service selection. Yes, class standing plays a big role and academics has the largest impact - but there are other things, completely unrelated to academics, that could prove to be a stumbling block to whatever service selection that is desired.

For instance, you're not going to get SEALs if you are ranked low by your peers and struggle with the PRT (Physical Readiness Test). You're not going to get Marine Corps if you do poorly at Leatherneck. You're not going to get aviation if you scored low on the ASTB (Aviation-Selection Test Battery) or if you have some disqualifying medical condition (which is not too uncommon, by the way). None of these things have anything to do with academics.
 
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