<p>I’m thinking of an article I read a month or two ago but can no longer find. It’s about a Physics teacher who writes about the flaws of each AP test. He uses an example of a Physics MC about the speed of light in a medium, noting that common sense or a plug-in will give you the answer without knowing any physics. He also notes that the Physics EM exam can be passed by Maxwell. He praises the Calculus exam as the most innovative. Can anyone link me to that article?</p>
<p>I found it:
[How</a> to get rid of AP (part 2): why AP is bad Quantum Progress](<a href=“http://quantumprogress.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/2010/12/21/how-to-get-rid-of-ap-part-2-why-ap-is-bad/]How”>How to get rid of AP (part 2): why AP is bad | Quantum Progress)</p>
<p>Any thoughts?</p>
<p>It is not a surprise when you look at what good universities accept AP credit for.</p>
<p>For example, UC Berkeley acceptance of AP credit for subject credit (as opposed to generic credit units) in the some of the tests named in the opinion:</p>
<p>Physics B: Nothing.
Physics C: Nothing for physics majors. 5 on mechanics for one semester for engineering majors (nothing for E&M). May be accepted for majors requiring “light” physics.
Chemistry: One semester of chemistry for majors other than chemistry or chemical engineering.
Computer Science A: Nothing.
Calculus AB: One semester of calculus, though the math department is not too confident in the ability of students with scores lower than a 5 to take second semester calculus.
Calculus BC: Two semester of calculus with a 5, one semester of calculus with a 3 or 4. However, the math department is not too confident in the ability of students with scores lower than a 5 to take more advanced math.
History (any): Nothing for history majors. Limited breadth fulfillment for engineering majors.
Economics: Introductory economics course if both micro and macro are passed with a 5 (for business major) or 4 (for economics major).
Statistics: Non-calculus-based statistics (but many majors which require statistics, including economics and business, require calculus-based statistics).</p>
<p>So then the question is: is there any practical benefit to taking or self-studying AP’s if planning on applying to elite universities?</p>
<p>I believe there are benefits. First, you show colleges your ability to tackle hard material and willingness to challenge yourself. Sure, you may say “well it’s not really a good measure of understanding (insert any subject here)”, but it is more than an honors course can offer. With the exception of IB courses and any college credit courses taken at a local university, there just isn’t enough ways for bright students to be competitive, which is where AP classes/exams come into play.
It is also worth noting that AP exams are, much like the SATs, standardized. In that sense, a kid who goes to a poor school can show that he is every bit as capable as someone who goes to an elite school.
Bottom line: APs may not be perfect, the system may be entirely monopolized, they may be expensive and not a fair representation of the corresponding college course, but they are as hard as high school classes are going to get (at least for now). Additionally, I don’t know if it’s just me, but I feel that these classes do help me prepare for college, at least somewhat.</p>
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<p>The AP test may be worthless for subject credit (though that depends on which test), but if the AP course is the best course in the subject at your high school, it is certainly better to take the AP course over a regular high school course in the subject.</p>
<p>For example, if your high school only offers regular Physics and AP Physics B courses (with the AP course being the better one), taking the AP course is better than taking the former, even if you choose not to take the AP Physics B test because it is worthless for subject credit at the universities you intend to go to.</p>
<p>I’m worried about the AP Lang exam. I feel like the passages are much more suited to AP Lit. I feel like the exam should cover more about advertising and rhetoric strategies, which is the true purpose of the class.</p>
<p>It may be best to think of most AP courses as better versions of high school courses, rather than true university level courses. In other words, students intending to go to university may still want to take the AP courses over the regular high school courses in order to get the best possible preparation for university level courses. Subject credit for some AP tests at some universities can be thought of as a bonus.</p>