Should my S21 take the AP exam?

You missed the point,OP. Depending on specific college, reported AP scores may not influence admissions (the counselor is right), but it can determine a student’s priority in course registration, dorm selection, timing for joining honor societies-all of which may depend upon class standing determined by credit hours. If taking AP tests is really that stressful, the student shouldn’t apply to highly competitive colleges anyway, where most students breeze thru such exams.