What about AP exams? Can they grant credit?

[swisha2k]

Can AP exams e used to acquire credit? Just curious.

[eyrobinson]

Yes, they can. Most colleges accept them. You have to be a high school student to take them though.

[ali4nia]

you dont have to be high school student, you just have to register through a school or a distance learning center, the only problem is, its once a year so you have to register afew month before and its harder than clep so you need to master the subject very well, but in term of credit its awesome here's from tesc catalog : Thomas Edison State College will grant up to 6
credits for AP examinations for which a score of 3 or
better has been awarded

[cookderosa]

you dont have to be high school student, you just have to register through a school or a distance learning center, the only problem is, its once a year so you have to register afew month before and its harder than clep so you need to master the subject very well, but in term of credit its awesome here's from tesc catalog : Thomas Edison State College will grant up to 6
credits for AP examinations for which a score of 3 or
better has been awarded

>>


A few speedbumps in the AP exam process:
1. The high school doesn't have to let you register, it is their discretion 100% so be nice, ask in person, and ask the right person. They can flat out say "no, go away."
2. You have to register far enough in advance for them to get you counted in their testing group.
3. Testing is once per year.
4. Not all exams are offered at all high schools. Ex. your local high school may offer 3 AP exams, and they may or may not be in the subject you want.
5. It is not pass or fail, there is a score assigned. Top grade is a 5. If you score a 5 you should be looking at the Ivy instead of the big 3
6. Many of the exams have essays.

A few reasons you may want to strongly consider AP:
1. A lot of languages not on CLEP/DSST including Latin (2 tests = 12cr).
2. Subjects are divided differently, so you can in some cases grab 6 credits for the same subject that would only yield you 3 in CLEP (but the reverse is true- American History is 1 AP test, not 2 as is the case with CLEP)
3. Many interesting subjects.
4. If you are young, these help your college application BIG TIME especially if you are applying to a competitive college.
5. AP credit is often given at colleges where CLEP is denied, but usually a cap still applies.

[cookderosa]

sorry, wanted to add, that the test is in a single sitting- in other words you will be in a testing group (think SAT style) at a set time.

[goldpaws]

1) register between february and march. The high school's students get first dibbs. You must register after they do. The councelor's department usually handles this; contact them and they will direct you to your AP coordinator (who is usually just the head councelor or the councelor for the alphabet letter of, let's say, A-G)

2) if one HS says no, try another. all is not lost, especially if you live in a major city such as NY, Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, or have more than 2 or 3 high schools in your area.

3) ap's are challenging. and more expensive. a study course with a tutor for about 6-8 weeks prior to the test is recommended for those who have never (even slightly) been exposed to an AP exam.

4) Most students take "basic" AP exams such as english or math. Obviously an AP exam in advanced physics is NOT for you, or me - or for most people for that matter. Choose carefully, choose early, and be prepared.

A score of 3 or above is good. Most people get 3s. Really smart people get 4s. 5 is impossible on a majority of AP exams, don't even try to aim for that (well, try anyway, but be rational when the scores come in). Be happy with a 3 or 4! 4's usually guarantee the credit will be accepted somewhere. 3's aren't necessarily taken everywhere; 5's are taken by more than a majority of colleges. (Perhaps even a bonus scholarship will be awarded for the 5).

Though, I must say, it's worth it to take at least 3 exams when it's time to go in May 2009. They only come once a year (like IKEA's sales, lol), and if you get three scores of 3 or above there's some sort of award mailed to you, either in scholarship form or just in certificate form.