AP Tests coming up

aj2220 · 04-28-2008, 12:08 AM

I've already fulfilled the English requirement with my SAT Writing score and I'm planning to take the Spanish SAT subject test to fulfill the language requirement.

I plan on applying for the Comm school, and I'm pretty confident I could get in, meaning that I wouldn't be able to graduate early.

I have 6 AP tests coming up - my school requires us to take them.

Is there any reason to try stress over these tests? Because I don't want to worry about them if I don't have to. What could I do with high scores when I get to UVA?

Anybody else in the same situation?

vistany · 04-28-2008, 05:28 AM

Quote:

I've already fulfilled the English requirement with my SAT Writing score

I didn't realize that. Can you please tell me what writing score you need?
thanks

db123 · 04-28-2008, 08:27 AM

Quote:

You are automatically exempt from the first writing requirement if at least one of the following statements is true:
1. You are an Echols Scholar;
2. You scored 720 or above on the SAT II writing exam or the writing portion of the new SAT exam;
3. You scored a 5 on the AP English language subject test.

OR

You are automatically exempt from the first writing requirement if at least one of the following statements is true:
1. You scored 680-710 on the SAT II writing exam or the writing portion of the new SAT exam, AND you scored a 5 or above on the IB (higher level A 1) exam;
2. You scored 680-710 on the SAT II writing exam or the writing portion of the new SAT exam, AND you scored a 4 on the AP English language subject test;
3. You scored 700-710 on the SAT II writing exam or the writing portion of the new SAT exam, AND you scored a 4 or 5 on the AP English literature exam.

Competency Requirements — College of Arts & Sciences, U.Va.

shoebox10 · 04-28-2008, 08:36 AM

aj: I would stress about all the tests. Why do all that extra work in high school, just to bomb the tests? If you do well, you can earn credits in other areas in classes that might be difficult for you, and ultimately have a lighter course load if you chose so. If there's one test that you know you won't do well on, fine, maybe spend less time studying for it if there's no hope at all. But for the other tests, I suggest preparing well and try your best on them. I took 5 myself, so it's not that big of a deal, as have others

sciencenerd · 04-28-2008, 10:10 AM

You do have to worry about the Second Writing requirement though, but that shouldn't be that hard.

I'm in almost the exact position as you. I don't have to worry about so many tests cuz I know I'm gonna take most of the classes again. I think I'll still study, but just not worry about it as much.

mckin43 · 04-28-2008, 01:32 PM

Advice: study and try to do as well as you can on the tests; even if you think you are going to take the subjects again anyway, you may change your mind and decide to accept the credit instead....my D did just that.

archrival · 04-28-2008, 02:07 PM

If you get credit and place out of a class, doesn't that mean you will have a harder first semester because you will be in higher level classes?

shoebox10 · 04-28-2008, 02:25 PM

Not necessarily. You can simply lighten your load, or take classes in other areas. I know many people who place out of intro chem/bio/math/english, and they do fine. Frankly, the intro classes are sometimes the hardest since they're big lectures dominated by tests and quizzes. Also, most likely you'll still be required to take the lab, so you'll be able to brush up on the material.
Right now, it may seem stupid to put in all the extra work even though you're headed off to UVA this fall, but come fall, you may wish you had more credits. My advice is try to place out of as many classes you can. This will allow you to free your schedule and focus on your harder science classes, or take more interesting upper-level hist/eng/etc classes. However, even if you're planning on a major outside of science, it'd still be nice to place out of some of your science/math/intro writing classes, so that you too can take more interesting classes. Anyone can benefit from extra credits, and you can always decide to turn them down come fall. Also, more credits = earlier registration...BIG bonus.

vistany · 04-28-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Frankly, the intro classes are sometimes the hardest since they're big lectures dominated by tests and quizzes.

Thanks for that insight. It makes perfect sense now that you say it but I'm too busy stressing over a zillion IB/AP's.

Can anyone recommend a good time to go to Orientation based on the need for scores to be returned. I'd like to go late June or early July but the IB doesn't report until (mid/late?) July.

Suggestions would be appreciated.

Cofaloaf · 04-28-2008, 03:53 PM

So I'm majoring in liberal arts. Does everyone still have to take either an intro chem or bio if they do not test out of it?

shoebox10 · 04-28-2008, 06:07 PM

Vistany: if you want your scores before you go, then wait and go in late July. I think the colleges get them before this though, I remember VT had them early July last year (I found out my scores through them, then got Collegeboard's letter three weeks later). If you go prior to scores-release, they'll probably tell you to sign up for intro classes, and then you can switch when ISIS opens in August.

Cofaloaf: all majors are required to meet certain reqs, and the College has certain reqs you must meet as well. These include math/science/writing/non-western perspective/language. Google "UVA undergrad record" and search around that site for requirements.

vistany · 04-28-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

if you want your scores before you go, then wait and go in late July

The majority of my scores will be IB which is coming from Geneva I guess. Does anyone know how late IB reports?

Also. If you went a little early, say July10 and you didn't have all of your scores could you adjust it later?

thanks

shoebox10 · 04-28-2008, 06:34 PM

Have no idea about scores. Maybe email the undergrad office and ask them when they typically receive them? They'll probably tell you "sometime in July", so hopefully someone on here can tell you. Try asking on another thread too.
And yes, you can always adjust your schedule up until the add/drop deadlines. Remember, people do this all the time. When ED still existed lots of those students picked earlier orientations (another "shoot me down!" statement about to come) and most of those ED students typically excelled on AP tests and earned credits. Thus, people have been changing schedules after orientation for a long time (including me last year).

aj2220 · 04-28-2008, 08:10 PM

Well these are the scores i already have:

Calc BC - 5
Chemistry - 5
US History - 4
English Language - 4
Comp. Sci. A - 5
Comp. Sci. AB - 5

And these are the tests I'm about to take:

Spanish Language
Physics B
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
English Literature
Art History

I have pretty much no chance of doing well on the Spanish and Art History exams, but like I said I'm taking the SAT Subject Test to fulfill the language requirement. I also have fulfilled the English requirement already.

Knowing that I'm applying to the Comm school, I can't see myself passing out of Micro and Macro next year, so I don't see why I need to well on those.

That leaves only the Physics B exam left, and seeing as I have no interest in doing anything science related at UVA, along with the fact that I already have received a 5 in Chemistry, I don't understand how I will need the Physics B credit.

So do you think I can just not worry about these tests? I need some advice please

Cofaloaf · 04-28-2008, 09:31 PM

It sounds to me like you have it pretty figured out. But then again I don't know anything.