I don't read the posts as people doing anything different than what your posts are doing, which is not so much affirming their choices as explaining their choices. Sometimes it's helpful to see why people choose APs. It's also valid to note that they are not always part of the "rat race" that the OP mentioned. Sometimes even kids not aiming for selective schools take APs for various reasons. Understanding those reasons may help others to make a more informed decision. APs are not viewed the same way by everyone. They are not always a rat race, not always a soul-crushing stressor, not always a mindless choice, not always school at home. Making an informed decision often means looking at the issue from as many angles as possible. If the student is not a good candidate for APs for whatever reason, then the best plan would not include them. Without knowing the OP's teen, the best we can do is to share our experiences with APs (good, bad, or indifferent) and let the OP filter those with a focus on the teen at hand.

I would add some girls too. ;) Some students see the classes and tests as adrenaline rushes. Some students like to "check the boxes" of what schools want to see and spend lots of time pursuing other interests in their free time. It's not a burden to them. It's a joy. APs are not the only path to a deeply satisfying high school experience, but they are also not the equivalent of a mindless flow through high school with nary a thought to what matters to the individual. My teen's APs show a glimpse into who she is. Without them, the picture wouldn't quite be complete. The inviting of the pressure -- the "one test to rule them all" -- is part of the experience of APs. Sometimes in life you really do only get one shot at something. Some people wouldn't want to work in those sorts of professions, other people would thrive in them. The world benefits from myriad types of personalities. It would be interesting to study the personalities of homeschool students who have complete freedom to choose APs or not -- what they decide and why.

How frustrating! I hope they find them soon!

I understand! The test dates for May and June couldn't be worse this year.... Could you possibly have your son take the test wherever you're traveling? I've known people to schedule tests in other states or even other countries. (Not always an option, but I thought I'd mention it, just in case.)

Sometimes two short multiple choice tests can be tickets to places you didn't know you wanted to go until it was time to apply. Better to have them and not need them, than to not have them and wish you did...

Yes. This is our reason.

The bolded is part of the reason we decided the subject tests were hoops worth jumping. An hour long multiple-choice test on a subject she had sometimes already taken a more difficult test in didn't seem that big of a hoop to jump, especially given the potential benefits. (If a student has severe test anxiety, every test -- no matter how short -- might be difficult. If that were the case, the decision might well be different.) The tests are a breeze to schedule. It's like signing up for the SAT, not the APs. The tests still take time, of course. That's our biggest struggle in deciding. There's no reason to take tests that won't add anything to the transcript. Each test needs to earn its place on the calendar.

Good point. This is the approach we take as well. No matter what type or level of course she takes, she always does as least a quick skim of a test prep book and takes a practice test or two. (She studies more and takes more practice tests if necessary and if time allows.)

She would rather get the subject tests over with while the AP adrenaline is still flowing. ;) Also, finals are later in May, so she wants to turn her focus to those. (If the class isn't AP, she's more likely to choose the June date, which is right after finals.)

To save time linking individual schools, I've linked this instead: Note that colleges are more likely to award college credit for the AP Calculus AB exam or AP Calculus BC exam than for the SAT Math Subject Test. However, a few colleges will grant course credit for the SAT Math Subject Test, and many will use the exam as a math placement exam. https://www.thoughtco.com/math-sat-subject-test-score-788685 (ETA: We're not trying to use the math subject test for credit. I've just include this for general information.)

Yes, this is the approach she's taken thus far and it's worked well. Although sometimes the May date is better because it's around the same time as APs, so there's no need to study all through June. (Unless, of course, the student needs the extra time.)

Some schools list the math subject test score as one method of placement. A few even offer credit for some subject test scores. Not many, but a few.

She has plenty of buffer if she just takes one or two, but adding a third could push the testing into the afternoon if there's a delay. We're planning on her being at the site until noon, if needed. We just want to have the best odds that even with delays she will be able to complete whatever test/s she planned to take without stressing about time.

Thanks. This is helpful. We're dealing with scheduling conflicts on almost every testing date. She has time to take a test or maybe two on some dates, but not three tests. Not all test dates will work. We want to make sure she's choosing tests wisely and not giving up other opportunities to take a test she doesn't even need. I appreciate everyone's thoughts and experiences.

That was poor wording on my part. Some schools want to see a science score. Some even request specific tests, such as physics or chemistry. Math and foreign language are the ones sometimes used for placement.

Has anyone seen English Lit being required or helpful other than for giving weight to a homegrown course? I'm wondering if taking a foreign language subject test might be more useful in the end. (If a student already has math, science, and history.)

Does anyone have thoughts on the foreign language subject tests? How many years are recommended before taking them? I seem to remember reading somewhere the foreign language test curves are tough because so many native speakers take the tests. Thoughts?

From these posts and various school websites, there seems to be a pattern emerging. Math, science, and foreign language seem to be the most useful. (Followed by history.) Even when the subject tests aren't required, they are sometimes used for placement. If the student doesn't have the subject test scores, they are required to take a placement test at the school. In that situation, the subject test might be preferred. (If the student has a bad testing day, the subject test can be taken again.) Thanks for the responses thus far!

Oh no! I hope the appointment goes as well as can be expected, Sue. :grouphug:

I know it depends on the student and the school, but I'm curious how others decided. Is there a magic number that keeps open the most doors? From what I've read, it's my understanding they aren't always required. When they are required, usually two is sufficient. Three are occasionally required, but I've never seen four or more required. Is there any reason to do four?

So you didn't get the actual booklet your student used? It's my understanding we will be getting the actual booklet. (At least that's what someone from the school told me. I haven't picked it up yet.)

The current issue of The Economist has a few articles on artificial intelligence and machine learning. According to one of the articles, behavioral experts currently watch the video feeds from Target stores to analyze how consumers use their stores so products can be positioned in ways that increase sales. Data scientists are working to automate the process. Unfortunately the solution to maintaining privacy over our lives and control over our thoughts and decisions is much more complicated than not logging into Facebook and not shopping on Amazon... :zombiechase: The first question that needs to be answered: Where can we safely buy tinfoil for our hats? :001_huh: ;)

:laugh: Not at all! Thank you so much!

:laugh: Thanks! If nothing else, maybe clinking on the links will generate ads for appropriate books... or tin-foil hats. ;)

Actually, I think that's what makes it so hard. People do see the benefit of the internet. If there were no benefits, there wouldn't be an issue -- we'd all unplug permanently. The difficulty lies in finding ways to keep the good and minimize the bad. Safety and security should surely take precedence. Without those, everything else becomes trivial.