C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Yeah! AP Chemistry was done this morning. We didn't expect it to be easy, and it wasn't. DS wasn't as prepared as we wanted him to be. Long story. We'll most likely be cancelling that one in the long run. But oh well... At least he tried and it's now over Tomorrow morning, Computer Science! Now that one he's prepared for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrogMom5 Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Congratulations on his hard work! I think preparing and taking these tests is worth something even if they don't perform as well as they'd like. The Just Knight takes his first on Monday. He's studied very hard all semester but, now he's dragging his feet. He wants to play MineCraft all evening every evening. I think he's nervous about the test. We'll see how he does. Good luck to your ds tomorrow! Denise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilaclady Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Yeah. Good luck to your son on his computer science Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwen in VA Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Best wishes. Dd2 has one exam on Friday and one on Monday. She is LITERALLY counting the hours until the Monday exam is over and she is free! This is a hard process..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 Ds' exams aren't until next week. He feels pretty confident about APUSH, but not so confident about Physics B (which is self-studying for and not even done with all the content.) I'm done nagging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plansrme Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 My daughter has only Calc BC this year, and it is Wednesday. She has had a fabulous teacher (STEM magnet) and feels confident of a 5. No guarantees, of course, but she is looking forward to it. She took APs with this high school's kids for the last two years as a homeschooler, and they could not have been more welcoming. I am looking forward to volunteering to drive kids back and forth from school to the testing site, providing snacks, etc. to pay them back somewhat for their hospitality. They provide muffins in the morning, cookies in the afternoon, water, back-up calculators and batteries, smiling faces. Our experience with their AP testing is what made us consider sending her there in the first place. It has been interesting to hear her relay her teacher's anxieties over their performance. She says she feels like a mother bird whose babies are learning to fly, and she isn't sure they can fly very well. See, it isn't just homeschool teachers who get nervous for their babies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted May 7, 2013 Author Share Posted May 7, 2013 We're done for the year!!! He says he felt it was easy. Phew. Now we can breathe. He still has Math and French to finish the school year, and the paperwork, but he is now getting 2 days off. He crammed so hard for his chemistry.. Cramming is not good, but it's better to try it now than in college. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura in CA Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 I'm done nagging. :laugh: Love this ... Both of my boys had tests yesterday morning -- Enviro Sci & Chem. This Friday is English Lang & Stats for my junior, and next week is US Gov for the senior. THEN we're all done! :hurray: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted May 7, 2013 Author Share Posted May 7, 2013 ooh Laura, our boys had chem together! ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura in CA Posted May 7, 2013 Share Posted May 7, 2013 ooh Laura, our boys had chem together! ;-) Oh, was your son in Mr Moskaluk's class?! How fun! It was the first time my son has felt a bit worried about a test ... it was odd to see him not his usual confident, cheery self. He felt well prepared by the class, just that it was a LOT of material. My other son, on the other hand, was definitely NOT well prepared by his public-school teacher for the Enviro Sci exam; plus apparently they changed the format/content of that test this year, so his prep books were basically useless. We are not expecting a very good score or even necessarily a "passing" grade for him. This is why my other son did chemistry *this* year and will do German next year, squeaking in before the tests are radically changed ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Dd is so ready for Lit tomorrow but is a mess about Bio next Monday. I will make sure her sister never takes an AP the first year after a change! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted May 8, 2013 Author Share Posted May 8, 2013 Oh, was your son in Mr Moskaluk's class?! How fun! No, he prepared himself at home. I only meant that they were sitting on the same exam. DS was late in his study of chemistry then crammed 5 weeks through an AP Chemistry prep book. That's pretty much all he did. No idea how it will turn out. He is a fast learner, but we're expecting a 3. I'm considering this a life lesson: cramming is not good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttichen Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 This is why my other son did chemistry *this* year and will do German next year, squeaking in before the tests are radically changed ... You know German has already changed, right? It was new in 2012, I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AFwife Claire Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Dd is so ready for Lit tomorrow but is a mess about Bio next Monday. I will make sure her sister never takes an AP the first year after a change! My son is getting ready for Bio on Monday as well. I was so excited last night because I checked in on the "2013 AP biology" thread over on College Confidential, and someone had posted a link that a school had put up for the AP bio practice exam that the College Board had released this year for AP teachers! it had everything--even the words that the teacher will say before the sections, so that in taking it the kids could have as close to the actual experience as possible. It was a full exam too (all 63 multiple choice questions, plus 6 grid-ins, 2 long essay, and 6 short essay), unlike the sample problems hidden in the course description, which are about the only other released practice questions for this new exam. So I bookmarked it and didn't print it off, because it was a 132 page document. But this morning, the link was taken down. Sigh. I was so bummed! if only I had gotten my syllabus approved last summer! Oh well . . . I will say I'm more nervous about the exam than my son or the other 3 boys that I've taught the class to this year. I'm going to have an ulcer Monday morning, while they're gone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in NY Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 Dd is so ready for Lit tomorrow but is a mess about Bio next Monday. I will make sure her sister never takes an AP the first year after a change! Here, too. The 2013 BioAP is one exam I will happy to see in the rear-view mirrow. On a lighter note, DD#1 took the CalcBC exam this morning. Her LAST high school math class, ever. :svengo: There will be plenty more where that came from at college, I know. It's just weird for her not to have an official "math class" going on. She has never - not even summers - not been taking math class since the summer before 8th grade. What will she do with herself?? :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura in CA Posted May 8, 2013 Share Posted May 8, 2013 No, he prepared himself at home. I only meant that they were sitting on the same exam. DS was late in his study of chemistry then crammed 5 weeks through an AP Chemistry prep book. That's pretty much all he did. No idea how it will turn out. He is a fast learner, but we're expecting a 3. I'm considering this a life lesson: cramming is not good. Oh, well, that's still fun! :) (sitting on the same exam, I mean ... not the cramming!) Yes, I LOVE it when my boys learn life lessons NOW, while they're still at home and the consequences are relatively benign ... Of course my ps son has said multiple times now that he shouldn't have left something until the last minute. Now he has to actually start working on the next thing earlier ... it might take a while for the head-knowledge to translate into actual action ... but at least he is saying/learning these things himself, instead of Mom nagging ... :) You know German has already changed, right? It was new in 2012, I think. Oh, thanks -- I guess I got confused! At any rate, back when I did the long-term plans, I made sure my son wouldn't be taking any AP the first year it was changed ... so I guess we're still set for German :) ... Aha!!! that would explain why the College Board isn't selling any released German exams ... because there would be no point until after this year's test is over. I'll mark the calendar for checking back with them in late summer ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted May 9, 2013 Share Posted May 9, 2013 Dd just texted me to say AP Lit was easy :) Let's hope her rating translates to a good score! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merylvdm Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 My ds did AP Lit today ... he didn't prepare as NYU where he is going doesn't let him off any classes with it, but as we had paid I wanted him to take it anyway. The topic for the essay did not work for any of the books he had read this year and he ended up having to use Scarlet Letter which he did at the beginning of last year - so not sure how well that went! He said the MC questions were easy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted May 10, 2013 Author Share Posted May 10, 2013 reported. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 My DS (public high school) has lit/comp this morning and stats this afternoon. He's gonna have a fun day! There are seven kids taking both exams. The stats teacher is bringing them lunch from Subway. :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura in CA Posted May 10, 2013 Share Posted May 10, 2013 My DS (public high school) has lit/comp this morning and stats this afternoon. He's gonna have a fun day! There are seven kids taking both exams. The stats teacher is bringing them lunch from Subway. :laugh: Oh, how nice of the teacher! My son LOVES Subway :) ... I guess his stats teacher can't bring him food -- it's Blue Hen from these boards and she's on the other side of the country (I wish I could "tag" her so she'd see this post, haha!). My hs'd son is also taking both English (Lang) and Stats today ... he'll be SO glad to be done! He (uncharacteristically) had a headache last night ... of course he biked all over town with some friends, including going to see Iron Man 3 .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 One down (AP Physics B - self-study). One to go (APUSH w/ PAHS). He said that he thinks he did pretty well on it. We'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckymama Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Well, dd didn't cry after bio today... Two kids all the way through APs and SAT/ACT :party: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildiris Posted May 14, 2013 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Ack! DD did a 5hr. AP Music Theory test today at a very nice private school. Neither she nor the others taking the test felt the were doing well. One student said that of all the AP tests they'd taken, music theory was the most difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted May 15, 2013 Author Share Posted May 15, 2013 Really? I was planning on having DS do this test next year. His violin teacher says he's an ace at music theory. I haven't looked at the requirements yet. FIVE hours??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttichen Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 My ds took it two years ago. I don't remember it being any longer than the usual tests and he didn't have any trouble with it. Maybe the PP's school made the kids come extra early to fill out bubbles, etc.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TiaTia Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 DD would love to know what y'all know about prepping for AP Music Theory. She plans to take it in 12th. She's done well in exams in the UK system and is now in Grade 7 ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music). We hear that: (a) US terms are quite different; and (B) the AP Music Theory exam is a bear. We haven't delved into the Course Description yet. We know it's a morning exam. Five hours? :crying: There must be something very time-consuming besides just the test-taking. Administration, set-up, logistics of a large group? Wildiris, can you fill us in? http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/AP_Exam_Format.pdf Section I 75 questions (approximately 80 minutes) Section II 45% Part A Dictation, Part writing, Composition:7 exercises (approximately 68 minutes) 10% Part B Sight-singing: 2 exercises (approximately 8 minutes per student) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Hen Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Oh, how nice of the teacher! My son LOVES Subway :) ... I guess his stats teacher can't bring him food -- it's Blue Hen from these boards and she's on the other side of the country (I wish I could "tag" her so she'd see this post, haha!). LOL! Wouldn't that be fun! I love Subway too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttichen Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 DD would love to know what y'all know about prepping for AP Music Theory. My ds took it with PA Homeschoolers. We weren't thrilled with the course, but it was the teacher's first year so it may have improved. He did get a 5, but he did a lot of work on his own since the teacher wasn't doing enough test prep in our opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 :eek: Oh, no! :eek: What is this about the APs changing next year? Do any of you have more info about that? My son will be taking APUSH, Comp Sci and Language and Composition, and the older he gets, the less motivated he becomes. Ack! Congrats to all your kids and I hope they do well! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Done! Done! Now on to SAT and ACT prep for the June dates (since I screwed up the April date!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in NY Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 The Chem and Spanish are changing for 2013-14. PhysicsB and APUSH are changing for 2014-15. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C_l_e_0..Q_c Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share Posted May 17, 2013 woah, DS did Chem this year (before changes) and Physics B next year (before changes). Is that good or bad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in NY Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Cleo - I'd vote good. There are more 'reliable' prep materials available, and I think it's easier to judge how well your student is prepared before the exam. I'm sure there are upsides to being the "guinea pig class" - but I can't think of any right now. My dd did the bio this year and it was definitely more stressful for her. Jen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttichen Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Cleo - I'd vote good. There are more 'reliable' prep materials available, and I think it's easier to judge how well your student is prepared before the exam. I agree. My poor youngest dd did French and bio the year they changed, German in its second year, and she'll do chem next year. There's not really anything we can do about it. If we wait until they have reliable prep books and released exams available, she'll be out of high school. But as we repeatedly tell her -- everyone's in the same boat. One thing -- are you sure about the schedule above? I thought Spanish had changed a few years back -- before French and German. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in NY Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 One thing -- are you sure about the schedule above? I thought Spanish had changed a few years back -- before French and German. I nabbed the info here: http://advancesinap.collegeboard.org/ But it does look like the Spanish Language and Culture listed in 2012-13 and 2013-14, so ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muttichen Posted May 17, 2013 Share Posted May 17, 2013 Interesting ... Spanish is in a continual state of revision ...? When my dh was researching the new French exam at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year, he was reading the Spanish teacher forums because their exam had already changed and people were expecting the French to be similar. This http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/courses/teachers_corner/50015.html says it changed in 2009. I guess I'm glad we're not doing Spanish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBM Posted May 19, 2013 Share Posted May 19, 2013 The Chem and Spanish are changing for 2013-14. PhysicsB and APUSH are changing for 2014-15. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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