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how many APs shoud I take?


computerages

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hi every1~

 

I am a junior at high school and now it is time to select courses for the next year. I am thinking about some AP courses that I want to take, not only because they're "AP Courses", but becuase I like to learn more about those areas of studies. However, I have a feeling that they would be too much overwhelming, as I have heard a couple of scarry stories from my friends.

 

The courses include: bc calculus, ap stats, ap computer prog, and ap chem...

 

Please share your thoughts... thanks!

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I'm not really the right person to advise you but I think YOU already know what you want to do.

 

It seems to me you're a physics/computers man.

 

I would take 3/4 courses (any more and it'll probably will be too overwhelming). I don't know your ability so you might be able to handle more.

 

As for the courses - take the calculus, physics, computer science.

 

Again, maybe someone who takes APs will be able to help you to decide better. I just think the combination I have given compliments each other so its much easier to score top marks than say - taking varied courses like politics, chemistry, english etc. There is a strict math-heavy discipline in these courses which I'm 'assuming' you are fond of.

 

Variation is good but personally, courses which compliment each other are the best to take.

 

Anyway - best of luck with that.

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I just took the AP computer science and gov't. The exams are fairly simple if you well prepared. You can go to amazon and find books. Cracking the AP is a good series from what I've heard about it.

 

Here's another option:

You don't have to an AP class to take the AP exam so if your confident you could teach the material to yourself you could just go to your guidence counselor and talk to her about it.

 

I am fairly certain I got a 4 on my computer science exam, but I'm not so sure about the Gov't one. Usually a top uni will except only 4's and 5's, but smaller unis will accept 3's. I guess if you went to a smaller school first that accepted 3's and then transferred to a top college that the credits awarded to you from the small uni would transfer over to the top one. I'm not 100% sure on this on though. Again just go talk to your guidance counselor.

 

Next year I will be taking AP Calculus and hopefully I'll get a 4 on it. I can't take the actual AP class thats offered at my school because I wasn't in the honors english program, but I'm seriosly considering taking the AP Lit exam. I would like to clear out as many bs classes as possible so that I can go directly into my major.

 

Have you taken the ACTs yet? I take mine on June 10th. I'm going to start preparing myself for it next week. I got a lot of good test taking strategies in the AP prep books I bought so I will utilize those in the ACT. For my first time I'm aiming for a 28-29. I think I will retake it anyways because colleges take your highest score.

 

That's my two cents.

-J

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I would definitely recommend calculus and one science, what ever you're most interested in. My ACT science score rose 4 points since I came here (well it may not be related but it's nice.) I don't do as well in english but the math and science made up for it. On the science part you have to read about some experiments and comment on them and after reading through many it was pretty easy. Read each question carefully.

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I don't understand why people need to buy books for AP tests. Is not an AP test like the examination of a comprehensive college class final? If so, then it's interesting to note that businesses are making a load of people that need some type of document to review their knowledge. I would assume the material covered in the class would suffice for passing the exam; would it not be enough?

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I don't understand why people need to buy books for AP tests. Is not an AP test like the examination of a comprehensive college class final? If so, then it's interesting to note that businesses are making a load of people that need some type of document to review their knowledge. I would assume the material covered in the class would suffice for passing the exam; would it not be enough?

I guess the idea is that some people can't follow the "prose" of the textbooks the class has assigned to them, so they go out and buy these study guides that market themselves on the claim that they're explaining difficult material in language that's easy to understand.

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