AP Exams ??

[Wildiris]

I thought signing up for an AP exam was like the SAT. One can sign up online, but now I realize this may not be true. How does an AP exam work for a student not enrolled in a B& M school?

[In The Great White North]

You call the local school and ask them if you can take the test there. Some are cooperative; some are not.

[regentrude]

You call the local school and ask them if you can take the test there. Some are cooperative; some are not.

 

 

This. Call NOW if you still want to test this May.

Also, some schools only offer a limited selection of AP exams; check whether the one you want is available at the school near you. You might have to widen your search.

[Kathy in Richmond]

The AP Course ledger is a good way to start locating which exams are given near you. I had good luck calling schools on the phone & asking to speak to the AP Coordinator. Some schools will even allow you to take a test that they don't offer themselves (we did), but it's not common. Try both public and private schools.

[Luckymama]

I have a question about the AP Course Ledger-----when is it finalized? If I check it in the fall, will it be reliable?

 

I've been thinking about having dd take the Physics B exam next year, that exam's final year, to provide external validation of her science abilities should she go to the charter high school. I was shocked to see our local high school isn't offering Physics B this year. Then I checked all the APs listed for this school on the ledger----hardly anything, not even English nor US History! Friends' kids have graduated from this school and did take multiple AP exams. There are more exams listed under previous years. Can I assume the information listed on the course ledger is correct? (If so, gracious, no wonder bright kids are leaving this school!)

 

I'm wondering how many phone calls I'm going to need to make next year to find a place for an eighth grader...

[Kathy in Richmond]

I have a question about the AP Course Ledger-----when is it finalized? If I check it in the fall, will it be reliable?

 

I've been thinking about having dd take the Physics B exam next year, that exam's final year, to provide external validation of her science abilities should she go to the charter high school. I was shocked to see our local high school isn't offering Physics B this year. Then I checked all the APs listed for this school on the ledger----hardly anything, not even English nor US History! Friends' kids have graduated from this school and did take multiple AP exams. There are more exams listed under previous years. Can I assume the information listed on the course ledger is correct? (If so, gracious, no wonder bright kids are leaving this school!)

 

I'm wondering how many phone calls I'm going to need to make next year to find a place for an eighth grader...

 

 

In my experience, the Course Ledger is a great starting point, but not 100% reliable. Supposedly it's updated to include all classes that have undergone College Board's course audit procedure, but some probably slip through the cracks for one reason or another. I'd still call the local AP coordinator of the convenient high school next fall and ask about the AP physics course. You don't really have to mention her age, and I don't think that would be an issue anyway. Good luck and start as soon as you can. Sometimes the physics exams are trickier to find.

[Luckymama]

Thanks Kathy :) I was hoping you'd reply! I'll start calling in October.

[Kathy in Richmond]

Thanks Kathy :) I was hoping you'd reply! I'll start calling in October.

 

 

You might want also to get in touch with Blue Hen here. She's out your way & has lots of experience arranging AP testing for her sons, including physics. She'd probably be able to tell you which schools are reasonable to work with. :001_smile:

[In The Great White North]

The high school doesn't have to offer the course in order for a student to take an exam.

 

Our high school only offers the APES as a class, but will happily order any AP test I've ever asked for. (US Govt, Eng Lang, French & German) and many of their students take AP tests in other subjects.

[Luckymama]

 

 

You might want also to get in touch with Blue Hen here. She's out your way & has lots of experience arranging AP testing for her sons, including physics. She'd probably be able to tell you which schools are reasonable to work with. :001_smile:

 

 

Will do!

 

The high school doesn't have to offer the course in order for a student to take an exam. Students can and do prepare on their own.

Our Coordinator likes to have the signup and money in by early March, so that she has the correct number of exams ordered and proctors arranged. Make sure to understand the ID requirements.

 

 

ID requirements?

 

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Our high school only offers the APES as a class, but will happily order any AP test I've ever asked for. (US Govt, Eng Lang, French & German) and many of their students take AP tests in other subjects.

 

 

Good to know! I hope I will find such an accommodating school!

 

Thanks all :) I really appreciate the "been there" advice!

[Wildcat]

This. Call NOW if you still want to test this May.

Also, some schools only offer a limited selection of AP exams; check whether the one you want is available at the school near you. You might have to widen your search.

 

Just adding to this.... there is ONE place within an hour's drive that will allow a homeschooler to test. And they need to know *now*. They also don't do languages, so I am having to widen my search, as we'll need a language in a couple of years. I am now up to a two hour radius without luck in finding a place. :glare: Stupid, stupid, stupid.

 

I hope you don't have the trouble many of us have had!

[Nscribe]

Just adding to this.... there is ONE place within an hour's drive that will allow a homeschooler to test. And they need to know *now*. They also don't do languages, so I am having to widen my search, as we'll need a language in a couple of years. I am now up to a two hour radius without luck in finding a place. :glare: Stupid, stupid, stupid.

 

I hope you don't have the trouble many of us have had!

 

College Board needs to set up a site a college that offers the opportunity to take them. I would drive, even do hotel...just to avoid being at the mercy of the local schools. For all the rhetoric in their materials about equal access and promoting diversity, the AP testing program doesn't offer equal access to rural, homeschool or even many urban students.

[Mom22ns]

I hope you don't have the trouble many of us have had!

 

:iagree:

 

I had planned to have my kids take APs. Then I talked to the local ps - nope. The next district over and the next... nope. We have switched to CLEPs because they are easily available.

[Wildiris]

Thanks for all the in put. I'm on the phone now :seeya:

[Sebastian (a lady)]

 

 

College Board needs to set up a site a college that offers the opportunity to take them. I would drive, even do hotel...just to avoid being at the mercy of the local schools. For all the rhetoric in their materials about equal access and promoting diversity, the AP testing program doesn't offer equal access to rural, homeschool or even many urban students.

I think it may be time to start pressing on CB about this. They talk a good game about equity of access and not having prerequisites to keep out interested students. But it is meaningless if schools won't allow seats for testing.

Fairfax County high schools in Virginia seem to be pretty open to non-enrolled students testing. Maybe you could register with a school here for testing and build it into a trip to see DC or area colleges?