Ascaris

Hey guys. I want to take the APs in May and rack up a few credits before I head off to college but I have NO IDEA what any of the exams are or what to take. They seem to be multiple exams on Physics, Calculus, Computer Science, etc. I'm not sure whether to take all of them or just a few; I'm not even sure I can take all the calculus exams since they're all on the same day. Care to throw some advice my way? I know a few of you have taken the exams and the perspective of fellow Indians would be more empathetic.

mechrockz

No need to take Caluculus AB if you are taking Calculus BC as you will be provided with an AB sub score.

Ascaris

...an AB sub score?

HCaulfield

An AB subscore...

AB is a subset of BC...BC covers more topics. Your AB subscore is a grading of the AB topics that are covered in BC.

mechrockz

yeah Calculus BC covers the whole course of Calculus AB and some additional concepts .Based on the questions about concepts and topics involving AB you get an AB suc score and a BC score based on all questions.

Ascaris

Oh. That's cool. But what about the three Physics tests?

HCaulfield

Physics B---covers everything you'd have come across in 11th,12th

Physics C Mech/ Elec and Mag live up to their name.

Depends on which college you think you'll join really. Most recognize Physics C for their engineering programs.

HCaulfield

Check the AP policy of your college, and then pick between the three Physics'

Ascaris

Well I'm looking at UIUC right now and there's a course on mechanics and on electromagnetism in the second and third semesters respectively that I get credit hours for if I score a 4 or 5 in both the Physics C exams... so such I shall do. I do get credit hours for doing well on Physics B but I don't have to take those classes anyway so writing the exam is a bit pointless.

HCaulfield

Check properly. Every univ has a credit policy...

Ascaris

I did check, and decided I want to take both Physics C exams. I think you misread my post.

HCaulfield

My bad...

Go ahead and hope I helped

Mrinal2207

So, if I want to graduate in 3 yrs instead of 4, how many APs do I have to take??

Ascaris

Thanks for the assistance everyone

One last question: is there a computer science AB test? I don't see it on the AP site.

HCaulfield

@Ascaris

Computer Science AB is no longer administered...

@Mrinal2207

Depends really on the undergrad course you choose and if those APs will help you waive credits...It IS possible though. My Harvard interviewer was poised to graduate in 3 years thanks to her APs...she left the last sem pending and took a year studying in France...came back and then finished graduating.

So, going by her example it IS possible...But here's the deal...in her case(she was an Eco/History joint concentrator) she attended Harvard which has the core-curriculum. The Physics/Bio/Art History APs she took she used to satisfy some core requirements while gunning away at her Economics...she was done in three, and then decided to take on the additional History and got away with it.

I know I'm not being *very* helpful per se. But my point is, depends on the college you'll attend (some places simply dont accepts APs in some subjects. Stanford for instance, does not accept the English Writing AP) and the course you'll choose to major in (doesnt make sense to take the Chinese Culture AP unless you're majoring in it/can satisfy a core curriculum requirement).