Why bother with remaining AP tests? USC caps AP credit.

madbean
Tue, 08 May 2012 19:57:55 +0000

First, there are only 2 GEs which can be replaced by AP credit (with 4 or 5 on exam), fulfilling the req PLUS also earning 4 units of credit each.

GE 1 (Western Cultures and Traditions) is fulfilled by either:
AP Art History)
AP European History

GE 3 (Scientific Inquiry) is fulfilled by either:
AP Biology
AP Chemistry
AP Physics (B)
AP Physics (C- Mechanics)
AP Physics (C- Electricity/Magnetism)

Also, the USC foreign language requirement can be fulfilled (among other ways) by taking AP Language and getting 4 or 5 on exam–but does not earn student unit credit, like above courses.

All other APs with 4 or 5 on exam will count as elective units to the max of 32.

Details here: [USC ARR : Articulation : AP Exam Credit at USC](http://www.usc.edu/dept/ARR/articulation/apexamcredit.html)

OP, you will get your GE3 waived from your AP Bio (plus earn 4 units of credit). Your language req will be waived by AP Spanish (however no units of credit). And if you have 7 more APs, (or perhaps 6 more, as the Spanish may count here), you’ll get 28 units credit more as electives. Some majors (Marshall for example) have other pre-req’s which are waived if you get good score on APs (like Calc, I believe) so check the reqs for your particular major.

The risk you take in bagging 2 AP exams is if you should (shudder) get below a 4 on one of the 3 remaining AP exams you take this year. If you should get a dreaded 3, you lose that chance to earn 4 units credit.

But if that is a risk you do not mind, it’s up to you. I think your HS, however, does want kids to take the exams.