fermata40

This is sort of a complicated question- sorry for all the information.

At my school, freshmen can't take any AP classes. Also, for to take any AP science class you have to take the non-AP version of that class and the non-AP version of another science class. For example, to take AP Physics, one has to first take Physics and Chemistry. To get the most AP sciences possible, most people take an AP science class in 11th grade concurrently with the science they haven't yet taken. I'm in Biology now and I'll take Chemistry next year, so I would be eligible for AP Biology as a Junior. Supposedly, however, the AP Bio class is taught really horribly. So my biology teacher decided to let the people in his class with a 98 or above take the AP Biology test in the spring. We've gotten the Campbell textbook and extra reading assignments and will be meeting after school to do the labs and review confusing concepts.

I have a few questions. First, will it be possible for me to get a 4 or a 5? I'm a pretty good test taker, but I'm not sure I'll learn everything I need for the test. Second, would it look better to take the test without the class and get a 4 or 5, or to take the class, get a good grade and have another AP on my transcript, and get a 4 or 5 on the exam? Third, would it look really odd if I take the test this year, get a 4 or a 5, and then decide to take AP Bio in 11th grade to have the class on my transcript?

Thanks for reading the whole thing! Please tell me what you think! I can still choose not to take the AP test if that's the best thing.

advanced Lawlz

I did AP bio freshman year with no previous biology/chemistry experience. I got a 5.
Also, take organic chemistry instead of ap bio in 11th grade.
kk PM me if u need help.

xxrunningonempty

4 or a 5 is definitely doable as a freshman. It just depends on how dedicated and committed you are. The fact that you are a good test-taker works in your favor (there are a lot of people I know who are understand concepts, but when it comes to standardized testing, they do horrible.)

If you are worried about not learning everything for the test, I don't go crazy over it. In most AP classes (at least in my school), there simply isn't enough time to finish the material/curriculum. Believe me, there is ALWAYS something that is left out, but people, who are dedicated enough, usually do well on the test. As far as the transcript thing goes, the fact that you are challenging yourself early on (and say, if you do well on the exam) is really a bold statement for a freshman, especially as a self-study course.

cowking15

keep in mind it is a test of luck what they choose to put on the AP exam. I think it was the 2008 ap bio exam that was nicknamed 'ap botany' having all free response questions relating to plants. hopefully the 2009 FRQ's had nothing with plants and helped me get a 5

velleity

I think it would be weird to take the class after the test, but frankly a lot of biology is not tested. I feel like the ap test has "themes." Last year was heavy on ecology/taxonomy and stuff like that. I'm betting money that this year the focus will be on human systems. The AP test is not hard to study for; if you are diligent (seriously), you should get a 5.

advanced Lawlz

Um. They barely had any eco/tax last year.

fermata40

Thanks for all the advice!

It looks like I could probably get a decent score on the exam if I took it this year, but would it be better to take the class to get the AP on my transcript? Also, if I got a passing grade 10 points would be added to the final grade, which would help my GPA a lot, especially if I finish with above a 90.

I think I'll probably just follow through with the AP Biology exam this year, then take AP environmental science junior year. I don't think I'd enjoy AP Physics or Chemistry (the only other two AP sciences offered).

advanced Lawlz

Take college organic chemistry and biochemistry.

tkl9

Well, I took the AP test and let me tell you CliffsAP Bio helps ALOT.