No AP exams... mistake?

Test Preparation
1

<p>I’m a junior and, by the time I graduate, I will have taken roughly 19 AP courses between this year and next. However, from the time I signed up for the courses, I had my mind set that I had no desire to take the exams. </p>

<p>While I probably would be more than prepared for the subjects I’ve taken this year, I didn’t want my experience in the course to be just about preparing for a test. I really just wanted a challenge and a chance to explore subjects more in depth. While I don’t want it to sound like the AP curriculum I’m doing is “easy,” I also just don’t feel that it’s the same experience as taking the course in a college setting; similar to how AP is so much different than an honors level course. </p>

<p>Recently, I’ve seen a few remarks about how the AP/IB exams are so important and weigh more heavily in decisions than a transcript does. Obviously not everyone will have taken them if they weren’t offered at a school… but have I made a mistake in my decision to take the courses but not the exams? </p>

<p>I’m looking at mostly ivy league schools. There’s really nothing I could do at this point since deadlines have passed, but I’d love any opinions. (:</p>

2

<p>Eh… probably should have taken them. Otherwise it looks like you were lazy or did really poorly and didn’t submit the scores.</p>

<p>And besides, had you explored the subjects in depth, I think you would be able to get a 4-5</p>

3

<p>Taking the exams are important. Regardless of what your creed may be, colleges won’t know.</p>