Does it look bad if you take an AP exam before the class?

Pre-College Topics
1

I’m planning on potentially taking the AP Computer Science A exam in Grade 10 and the course itself in Grade 12, as well as taking the AP Calculus BC exam in Grade 10 and the course itself in Grade 12.

  1. Will this negatively impact my college application? I’m wondering if an AO might not view it in a positive light since I already know the material and hence it wouldn’t be rigorous for me.

  2. Will I have to take the exam again after the class?

2

The bigger question is WHY would you do this?

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3

Three reasons:

  1. I can submit actual scores instead of predicted scores, meaning I’ll be less stressed.
  2. I’m already familiar with the material of the former.
  3. If I get a score I’m not satisfied with (4<=), I can retake the test once or twice (applies mostly to the latter).
4

Assuming you’re applying to US universities, of the above reasons, the following are valid:

  • None of them

But if you do get a 5, then taking the class looks like grade grubbing

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5

Why are none of the above reasons valid?

6

You do understand that most colleges do not consider AP scores in the admissions process, right?

Most college would prefer to see your actual grade in the AP course. Just having an AP score…is not a game changer with college admissions.

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Yes, colleges do care about AP classes; I am aware, as I never said just having an AP score is important enough.

But, if I would already have a high AP score beforehand, it would imply to admissions officers that I took a class that I knew would not be difficult for me.

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8

Yep…and that isn’t a good look.

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9

What would be a better decision for AP CSA?

  1. Getting a 5 on the AP CSA exam and not taking the class at all (although I am majoring in CS)
  2. Not taking the AP CSA exam until I take the class (so it is still considered rigorous)
10

If you really want to take this AP test…take the course first and then the test.

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11

Course rigor is more important

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12

Looks like grade grubbing to take the course after the AP exam (if you did well on the AP exam).

If you already know the material well in grade 10, then take the AP exams to earn 5 scores, then take more advanced courses (perhaps at a local college) in grade 11.

If you do not already know the material well in grade 10, then why not take those AP courses in grade 10 or 11, followed by the AP exams?

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13

And you don’t need that class to be a CS major. Taking math, social science, English classes at the AP level will show rigor.

CS is not a core hs course.

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14

Like others who have commented, I would not do this.

I would either take the AP test early and then not take the class, or more likely I would wait until you have taken the class before taking the test. My suspicion is that you might know the material reasonably well, but there might be quite a few details that you do not know or do not have quite a complete grasp of.

Also, if you are interested in CS, or in any of the many subjects that make use of CS (AI and machine learning come to mind, but math is another area that uses CS, as is physics, and there is a lot more), then computer science principles is an area where it is worth taking the time to know very well. Calculus is another area which has a very broad applicability to a lot that you are likely to do in the future (both in a class and on a job) and that is very much worth learning very well.

Patience will serve you well in life.

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15

However, if available in high school, taking it may help determine how interesting the student finds CS to be, so that the student can make a more informed decision on whether to be a CS major (which may be necessary at college application time if applying to colleges where the CS major is full).

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16

Sounds like that decision has been made. And that OP feels he knows this material. The 5 will be helpful for placement, likely not admission.

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Retaking tests is also not advisable as some schools require you to submit all of your test results.

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18

IMO, they will wonder why on earth you would do this. So yes, it will be weird. Weird is great sometimes, but not this kind of weird. Don’t do it.

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I think doing it with CS is less weird. With maths, it really would look like you are slumming it. Can you ask your school to let you move on past Calc BC if you get a 5 in the exam? If you have a talent in these areas, look at AMC and USACO instead

20

It is for some schools (HS and/or college). It also counts as a foreign language for some schools, for example the GA publics (both HSs and colleges.)

Far preferable to take these classes. Can you take them in Grade 10?

Take the class. At some schools, including the one where I read apps, you would not get any consideration for the course and its rigor if you just take the exam. Even if you get a 5 on the AP test. (yes, there can be exceptions to this, e.g. the HS doesn’t offer the course, or scheduling difficulties, as reported by the HS counselor, prevented a student from taking the course.)

Further, at some schools, if you don’t have courses supporting your major selection, it will make it tougher to be admitted. Do you/will you have ECs that support CS as a major?

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