My kid’s middle school offers AP classes. I heard colleges do not look at middle school classes and test scores. Is it still useful to take AP tests in 8th grade?
This sounds crazy if it’s a “regular” school. Is that a magnet school for Gifted and Talented kids?
From http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/Appropriate-Grade-Levels-for-AP-Courses.pdf:
Each college and university has its own policy regarding credit for AP exams, though I am unsure of whether or not credit may be granted for an exam taken (and passed) prior to ninth grade. That is a question you should probably ask the admissions team of each college and university to which your child may apply.
Thanks for the answers! He’s in 8th grade, and we don’t know yet which schools he will apply. I also think it’s crazy, but a lot of kids are signing up for the tests. So there is pressure for the rest of the kids. It’s a private school.
13 year olds aren’t ready for college-level material, unless they’ve been identified through one of the Talent Searches .
If your son really doesn’t want to “look dumb”, he could take Ap Human Geography, which is intended for 9th or 10th graders as a gateway to AP course rigor. Be aware that most Ap classes taken in the 8th grade are unlikely to “count”. In addition, what classes will these students take in HS? College classes at 14?
Thanks a lot for the advice! At this rate, they are gonna do AP classes in elementary soon. 