Is it possible to take AP tests for credit while in college?
October 7, 2008 2:51 PM Subscribe
Is it possible to take AP tests for credit while in college?
It may depend on the college, but my friend wanted to do this when he was at Johns Hopkins and was told they would not give him credit for it.
Friends of mine who were going for a totally different college experience took CLEP exams, but I think the higher-tier colleges don't tend to accept CLEP credits.
posted by needs more cowbell at 3:19 PM on October 7, 2008
Friends of mine who were going for a totally different college experience took CLEP exams, but I think the higher-tier colleges don't tend to accept CLEP credits.
posted by needs more cowbell at 3:19 PM on October 7, 2008
I was able to use my (HS) AP test scores to avoid taking an entry level course, but they did not count for any credit hours. Your college should have information about how AP test results are applied. If they don´t give any credits, but only a course waiver to people who took the test in HS, I doubt that they would give any credits to someone who took the tests after HS.
posted by yohko at 4:44 PM on October 7, 2008
posted by yohko at 4:44 PM on October 7, 2008
At my university, you could get an instructor's permission to "challenge" a course, which meant taking the final exam and having that grade appear on your transcript. Same result, without the AP fees.
posted by djb at 4:59 PM on October 7, 2008
posted by djb at 4:59 PM on October 7, 2008
That's what CLEP tests are for. They're often easier than the corresponding AP exam, btw.
posted by fructose at 6:40 PM on October 7, 2008
posted by fructose at 6:40 PM on October 7, 2008
I would guess that you could use the state home-school code. I don't know if they have a mechanism for reporting to schools that you already attend.
If you are thinking of a college in particular, you should ask the department office or admissions office. Policies on AP differ widely, but I would expect most to frown on this. I'd get ahold of their policies and look carefully for qualifiers indicating that you had to have taken the exam prior to matriculation.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 7:10 PM on October 7, 2008
If you are thinking of a college in particular, you should ask the department office or admissions office. Policies on AP differ widely, but I would expect most to frown on this. I'd get ahold of their policies and look carefully for qualifiers indicating that you had to have taken the exam prior to matriculation.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 7:10 PM on October 7, 2008
Really, go talk to the department head over the class you want to take the test for. I can see it going both ways on the issue.
Against you because AP tests are designed for high school students. Especially with writing parts of the test, you'd have a huge advantage because you would be graded on the assumption that you're a high school student.
For you "[b]ecause the College Board is committed to providing access to the AP Exams to homeschooled students and students whose schools do not offer AP it does not require students to take an AP course prior to taking an AP Exam." Which doesn't say that the school has to be a high school.
Really though, you can't take the test until May, and it will be $80. Then you'll have to wait around until July to get the scores. By that time you'll most likely have already scheduled classes for next fall's semester.
Depending on the class you want to get out of, you might not even have to take a test. My girlfriend talked to the head of the French department and got into Conversational French her first semester of college. Even if you have to take a test, it would be cheaper (probably of the free variety) and more time efficient to have an older final exam pulled out for you to take.
@yohko: I got credit and hours when I took my 6 AP hours to college with me, but not GPA points (not sure how you could anyway, but I thought I'd mention it). I guess different schools have different ways of applying AP scores.
Really, if you're not getting hours like yohko's school I don't see a reason why you should even take the test since all it would do is get you out of a class.
All of that being said, there is something to be said for taking easy classes. You get the hours and the GPA points for not a lot of work.
posted by theichibun at 8:16 PM on October 7, 2008
Against you because AP tests are designed for high school students. Especially with writing parts of the test, you'd have a huge advantage because you would be graded on the assumption that you're a high school student.
For you "[b]ecause the College Board is committed to providing access to the AP Exams to homeschooled students and students whose schools do not offer AP it does not require students to take an AP course prior to taking an AP Exam." Which doesn't say that the school has to be a high school.
Really though, you can't take the test until May, and it will be $80. Then you'll have to wait around until July to get the scores. By that time you'll most likely have already scheduled classes for next fall's semester.
Depending on the class you want to get out of, you might not even have to take a test. My girlfriend talked to the head of the French department and got into Conversational French her first semester of college. Even if you have to take a test, it would be cheaper (probably of the free variety) and more time efficient to have an older final exam pulled out for you to take.
@yohko: I got credit and hours when I took my 6 AP hours to college with me, but not GPA points (not sure how you could anyway, but I thought I'd mention it). I guess different schools have different ways of applying AP scores.
Really, if you're not getting hours like yohko's school I don't see a reason why you should even take the test since all it would do is get you out of a class.
All of that being said, there is something to be said for taking easy classes. You get the hours and the GPA points for not a lot of work.
posted by theichibun at 8:16 PM on October 7, 2008
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Most colleges have a policy where you can test out of entrance level (the sort you'd get AP credit for) classes with a college-designed exam.
posted by Solon and Thanks at 3:05 PM on October 7, 2008