I couldn't take AP test; what's the probable aftermath?

In summary, the high school graduate from India plans to go for a physics major and got an admit at the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a good scholarship. However, he recently found out that most of his friends in the States had already taken an AP exam and he didn't. He now has to decide whether to take the AP physics exam or not and whether it will have any affect on his academic life in college. He recommends that only those students who are not in their major take the AP exam.
  • #1
Anshul23
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I am a high school graduate from India ( GPA of 4.8 out of 5), and I am planning to go for a physics major.I got an admit at the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a good scholarship and all but I recently found that most of my friends in the States had already taken an AP exam which I didn't give. Now how does it affect my academic life in college, both in a good and bad way? Should everyone take an AP exam? Does it help in getting into research faster or makes you application more appealing to an Ivy grad school since you were able to skip some classes and take higher level classes (also will it cost me more time and money to first go through basic classes , then the advanced ones all in the four years of undergrad) etc.? Please help me out.
 
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  • #2
The main purpose of taking an AP exam is to let you skip the corresponding university-level course if you get a high enough score. Frankly, I recommend doing this only for courses that are not in your major field. In your case, even if you had taken the AP physics exam, I would have recommended taking the introductory calculus-based physics course at UMass anyway. Different schools do things differently in that course. Professors teaching the upper-level courses will know the UMass intro course and teach their courses accordingly.

So I wouldn't worry about not having taken the AP physics exam. Just take the UMass intro physics course and do as well as you can in it. Your previous experience with AP physics will be beneficial in that respect.
 
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  • #3
jtbell said:
The main purpose of taking an AP exam is to let you skip the corresponding university-level course if you get a high enough score. Frankly, I recommend doing this only for courses that are not in your major field. In your case, even if you had taken the AP physics exam, I would have recommended taking the introductory calculus-based physics course at UMass anyway. Different schools do things differently in that course. Professors teaching the upper-level courses will know the UMass intro course and teach their courses accordingly.

So I wouldn't worry about not having taken the AP physics exam. Just take the UMass intro physics course and do as well as you can in it. Your previous experience with AP physics will be beneficial in that respect.
Thank you so much sir, would definitely follow up on your advice. Have a wonderful day! :)
 

What are the consequences of not being able to take the AP test?

The most immediate consequence is that you will not receive a score for the AP test. This means that you will not be able to earn college credit or advanced placement for the corresponding course. It may also affect your high school transcript and your chances of being admitted to certain colleges.

Can I retake the AP test if I couldn't take it the first time?

Yes, you can retake the AP test in the following year. However, there may be additional fees and you will need to make arrangements with your school to take the test again.

Will not taking the AP test affect my grade in the corresponding course?

This depends on your school's policies. Some schools may use the AP test score as a portion of your grade in the course, while others may not. It's important to check with your teacher or school administration for clarification.

Do I need to provide a reason for not being able to take the AP test?

In most cases, yes. You will need to provide a valid excuse, such as a medical emergency or a family emergency, in order to be eligible for a makeup test. However, it's important to check with your school for their specific policies and procedures.

What steps can I take to ensure I can take the AP test next year?

If you were unable to take the AP test due to unforeseen circumstances, it's important to communicate with your school and the College Board as soon as possible. You may need to provide documentation or a valid excuse in order to be eligible for a makeup test. Additionally, make sure to stay on top of important deadlines and prepare for the test to avoid any potential issues next year.

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