Skipping an AP test

usafa2022

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I'm in AP Euro History this year and can't decide if I really need to take the actual test. As far as I know a 4 or 5 on it wouldn't validate any college courses (but I will have to look into that further), so dropping close to a hundred bucks on it isn't sounding like a great idea. In my school district the class still counts as an honors class (extra grade point) if you don't take the test, it just won't feature an "AP" designation on your transcript. In terms of how this would affect my Academy application, would it be worth it to take the test just for the AP designation? I'd rather hold onto my $100 but if having an AP class from sophomore year is important I suppose I could do it.
 
I am assuming you are a sophomore.

Please take this with kindness...if you are a sophomore, or heck even a junior, you are making a HUGE assumption that you will get an appointment with regards to why you should take the exam.

1. At this point this should not be about validating any class at any SA, but plan B if you don't get an apptmt. That 100 bucks may mean you will get validated for your college credits, and that means you can take higher level courses from the get go. It also can help in admissions from a competitive status.

2. You have stated that at your school if you do not take the AP exam they will show it as honors and not AP. In this case it will impact you all around from the school profile aspect (USAFA, AFROTC scholarship and college admissions) because to them you did not take the most rigorous course load.
~ IE You decide not to take the AP, but 75% of your classmates do take it. They see you have honors, not AP just because you did not take the test.

I get it if you can't afford to take the test, but if that is the reason why, may I ask if you talked to the GC about financial assistance for that test? Many schools do offer financial assistance.

If you can afford the $100 bucks, than it is worth the cost because if you have to go plan B (AFROTC), colleges like to see those 4 or 5 AP scores when it comes to offering merit packages. 100 bucks now can equate to saving thousands.
~ Look up your college choices and see what they cost for tuition...divide it by their max credits. VT charges @440 per credit hour. That class would be 3 credit hours or 1320 bucks if my math is right.
 
1. The AP designation is more valuable than just USAFA. You'll need backup plans to and other colleges will look upon the AP designation favorably.
2. You're correct that having passed the AP test alone will probably not be sufficient to validate the test (it is for some courses at some academies). However, it might earn credit at a backup plan college.
 
I am assuming you are a sophomore.

Please take this with kindness...if you are a sophomore, or heck even a junior, you are making a HUGE assumption that you will get an appointment with regards to why you should take the exam.

That's not an assumption I'm making. The question of whether courses can be validated pertains to any college really, not just SAs, and what I was asking was how skipping the test would affect my application and not anything that would occur once I'm there or at a plan-B or C school.
 
That's not an assumption I'm making. The question of whether courses can be validated pertains to any college really, not just SAs, and what I was asking was how skipping the test would affect my application and not anything that would occur once I'm there or at a plan-B or C school.

Pima covered this part of your concern ^^in point #2. USAFA or another SA wants you to take the most rigorous course load. Will not taking the test be the difference in you getting an appointment or not? Who knows. Just do everything you can to make yourself as competitive as possible. I think the advice you are getting is, if you can afford it, AP designation is more favorable (for USAFA admissions) if it is available to you.
 
My DD took honors classes (not AP) and never took an AP test. She still placed out of classes in her freshmen year -- you have to take placement tests during BCT. Take the AP test to help with other college options. I honestly don't think taking an AP test has that much weight at a SA
(Note that my opinion & experience is worth as much as you pay for it.)
 
I agree that I am not sure USAFA puts quite as much weight into AP, other than to see that you have taken the most rigorous coursework available to you, given your circumstances.

What class is this?
 
My DD is a senior and we debated her taking her AP tests this year because she has 5 and none will count toward next year. Let me preface this by saying she has already been accepted to USNA and is going. However, she also does not pay for them our school does. We did not feel it necessary to be out the money for the school if she wasn't going to utilize the scores. However the school here is paid for AP tests so it does benefit the school and she will take them. It is also part of PlAn B and hopefully that is not needed. She has loaded her schedule every year with AP history's (European, US, World and Govt) sciences, English and math. SAs looked very favorably on them and they looked at the scores she received on those tests. They look at it as you challenging yourself..
 
Our school requires all students who take AP courses to also take the exam. Our school does not pay so this year alone we're looking at over $500.

There was never a question about it though. Our DS attitude has always been to push as hard as he can.

You are looking at a $100, surf these threads and read the bios of some of the candidates. You will want to present the best, most rigorous transcript your HS offers if you want to compete. The money won't seem as relevant then.
 
I'm in AP Euro History this year and can't decide if I really need to take the actual test. As far as I know a 4 or 5 on it wouldn't validate any college courses (but I will have to look into that further), so dropping close to a hundred bucks on it isn't sounding like a great idea. In my school district the class still counts as an honors class (extra grade point) if you don't take the test, it just won't feature an "AP" designation on your transcript. In terms of how this would affect my Academy application, would it be worth it to take the test just for the AP designation? I'd rather hold onto my $100 but if having an AP class from sophomore year is important I suppose I could do it.

Exam fee reductions may be available if you qualify. I suggest you look into this.
 
Take the test (and find fee reductions or a kindly sponsor if necessary).

You may not find Euro History to be a "core subject" but someone in your PlanA or B or C, will certainly look askance if you take the class, then forego the exam.

Take the test, and get a 5.
 
As is mentioned above, AP tests will save you money in the long run in the event you don't attend USAFA or another service academy. Take it if you can. That being said, I didn't take any of my AP tests senior year, but at that point I was already appointed.
 
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