Do the AP tests that your dc plan to take affect when they take the basic course?

[kRenee]

I was planning on doing American History, World History, Geography and Civics/Gov in high school. But I got to thinking that if my dd wanted to take the AP US History exam, it might be better to delay US History until 10th or 11th grade. I know some kids take the AP in 9th, but I don't see my dd being able to do that.

 

 

Same issue for sciences. Biology in 9th is pretty common, but if you want to take the AP biology test later, do you still do the class in 9th?

 

Do you have your dc study American History (biology) the year they take the AP exam?

 

Thanks,

Karen

[Susan in IL]

Most APUSH takers are either 11th or 12th graders. I waited until ds was in 11th to do APUSH. Some schools offer AP world in 9th. I do think the essay portions of the tests are the part where younger students have trouble.

 

Same applies for AP Biology.

 

Go to APCentral at the collegeboard website and look at past exams. Register as a teacher and you can get loads of information.

 

Hope this helps.

[Gwen in VA]

You can think of an AP test as a rigorous final exam for a course -- you wouldn't take a final exam for a course that you took a year or two earlier -- you take the final exam right after you take the course.

 

The "normal" way to do the AP biology is to take biology in 9th and then AP bio in 11th or 12th. I know personally several students who have taken AP bio in 9th or 10th without having taken a bio course beforehand, but that is a "challenging" way to go. If your student is really really into bio and is a very strong, motivated student I would consider it, but otherwise I would just do bio in 9th and AP bio in 11th or 12th.

 

AP exams are supposed to indicate a college-level mastery of the material in the course, so "normally" just 11th and 12th graders take them. I would only have a student do an AP exam in freshman or sophomore year if he/she is truly motivated and a very accelerated learner.

[Grace is Sufficient]

The "normal" way to do the AP biology is to take biology in 9th and then AP bio in 11th or 12th.

 

Is that two different classes like Algebra 1 and Algebra 2, or is it two versions of the same class? Would both credits count?

 

I've wondered the same thing if a student takes biology as a 9th grader, and then in 11th or 12th at a community college... Would both credits count?

 

Thanks.

[Gwen in VA]

Yes, most kids who do AP bio get two credits of bio on their transcript -- sort of like 'biology" and then "advanced biology".

 

I don't know about cc classes. My younger son will probably be doing some cc science classes, but he will only do those that he will not have done earlier because I am not sure (based on my older son's calculus experience) that the classes are actually "college-level" at our cc.

[FloridaLisa]

If you want to re-arrange so that your dc can hit several AP courses, I would highly recommend starting with AP Human Geography in 9th. It's a fairly standard 9th grade AP course and, supposedly, one of the easier APs. My ds is taking AP Human Geo through PA Homeschoolers and we are very happy with it.

 

He's also taking an on-line AP Bio class. The bio class is not for beginners! It has a lot of chemistry and is just very, very thorough. Much more rigorous than Human Geo. I would recommend completing both chemistry and a foundational bio class before jumping into AP bio.

 

HTH,

Lisa