I agree with what has been said. If you REALLY wanted to get ahead in your EVS degree, go online and learn advanced material that is found in upper level EVS courses. The APES exam is common sense applied to ecological principles, and you studying that material extensively is a goal, but not a very optimal or applicable one. At most the credit will count for two introductory EVS courses, and a perfect score in anything by no means validates your ability or intellect. I'm sure edx or coursera has some stuff that you would really like.
Even if you tried to get a perfect score, if you're really concerned with learning the subject matter then there are much more efficient ways of studying then trying to remember every detail that might be on the AP test. If you want to shoot for it, great, but expect disappointment. Even if you're only a couple of point off you have know way of knowing how close you were.
It's great that you're so passionate about what you're interested in, but yeah I agree with everyone else. Pressuring yourself to get that perfect score (which colleges won't care about anyways) will only add more stress to your life. Shoot for that 5, learn advanced material if you have the time and interest to do so, but don't forget that maintaining good grades and scores across a variety of subjects and participating in extracurriculars is so much more important to colleges than a perfect AP score.
@nicknick567 It IS petty and obsessed. If you were really passionate about actually learning the material, then you would be buying college textbooks or taking college courses if you can. Memorizing the entry level material so you can get a perfect score will yield a horrible return on time investment as far as knowledge gained.
@silmaril There was only one student this year who got a perfect score on the AP Calculus BC exam. You REALLY mean to tell me that colleges do not care about this special kid? Are you seriously joking me? It is an absolute feat among feats to be able to get every point possible on any AP Exam.
I think it is admirable that OP is striving for a perfect score. He probably won't get it, as AP Exams are ridiculous, but it's a worthy goal nonetheless. He will, at the very least, guarantee an A and a 5 in APES by having this lofty goal.
@Kyuutoryuu It is an impressive feat, but my point is that there are better ways to attract a college, and I think many of them understand that a perfect score is oftentimes down to the luck of having studied exactly what comes up on the exam, which is nearly impossible. All I am saying is that having a single perfect AP score will probably not be the thing to make or break a college application, and I'm advising the OP not to view that perfect score as something that will.
Not to mention you would be investing so much time in solely learning entry level material; it might be better to aim for an A and 5 and then take a course at a local college the next year or something to expand the depth of knowledge.
Replies to: Am I crazy? I want a perfect AP Score??
I think it is admirable that OP is striving for a perfect score. He probably won't get it, as AP Exams are ridiculous, but it's a worthy goal nonetheless. He will, at the very least, guarantee an A and a 5 in APES by having this lofty goal.
Not to mention you would be investing so much time in solely learning entry level material; it might be better to aim for an A and 5 and then take a course at a local college the next year or something to expand the depth of knowledge.