Self-study for 7th and 8th graders

CTScoutmom
Tue, 25 Sep 2012 20:41:52 +0000

AP Credits taken to get college credits, when they are not related to what a student plans to study, are not particularly useful. If your kids start college with 30-40 credits, yes it means on theory they can graduate early, or spend more time of classes that interest them. But that only works if the credits they gain can be used toward their degree. If your son is going to major in Engineering, how many AP credits does he need from history or social science courses? They won’t count toward the degree, and many colleges have caps on the number of AP credits that can be used toward distribution requirements. So in stead of replacing those classes with something that interests him, your son will find himself having to take even more of the classes that might not interest him (or retake the ones he already took, and "losing: the AP credit.

It’s great that your kids did well on the ACT - but they didn’t do THAT well. The students you refer to who claimed these exams were easy, and they only studied a week often did so after taking the class! Those that self-studied often did so after already mastering the art of taking AP tests, and are scoring far above a 24 on the ACT. A 24 in 7th grade suggests that he will do very well when he takes it again in HS, but it hasn’t happened yet. How will he end up doing well then? By living his life now!

If your son taken an AP test this year, and scores well, it won’t mean he has significant experience in that subject, it will mean he did well on a particular test. That’s all. Top schools are not going to be excited about a National Scholar, if he doesn’t do anything but study - that doesn’t make him an interesting student, someone they want as part of their community. Pushing AP exams this early, unless he plans to graduate early, can backfire. Too much emphasis on academic endeavors does not make for a well-rounded person. Encourage him to find a hobby, not study for a test. If he’s interested in Psychology, let him read about psychology for the sake of learning - not for the sake of a test. If he learns well, he can always take the exam later. It’s not taking the exams in HS that is the most stressful, but the preparation leading up to the exams.