As October draws to an end, so do the AP test registration deadlines. For students looking to register, payments can be made online via Online School Fees and will confirm the student’s AP exam registration until October 31. Students are eligible to request a full refund until the registration deadline ends. Exam cancellation requests must be submitted by February 7, and will incur a $50 fee. Late refund requests will cost an extra $50. All refund requests must be emailed to Kimberly Lam, Campus Testing Facilitator at [email protected].
Deciding on whether or not to participate in an AP exam is often an issue for AP course students. When conflicted with such a decision, it’s important to consider the long-term benefits of AP testing.
“The benefit of taking an AP class is that they have been statistically proven to effectively prepare students for college classes, giving them a clearer sense of direction that a normal class wouldn’t typically provide,” Lead counselor Jacqueline Smith said. “Just as AP classes prepare students for a class in college, AP tests prepare students for college exams.”
The learning environment in college may contrast the learning environment established here at Emerson, an issue that can be faced through taking AP exams.
“Emerson is a project-based school, however this may not be the case for a student’s future college,” Smith said. “Taking these tests will ensure that a student has a well-rounded preparation for navigating their college education.”
A satisfactory exam score can earn credit at most colleges, saving a student’s time and money from taking a course they might have already generally experienced during high school.
“College courses are expensive, however with an exam score of three or above, students can save a lot of money when applying,” Smith said. “With such exam scores, a lot of time can be saved earning the necessary credits to graduate. Students can use the extra time to focus on perfecting their other studies or even graduate early.”
If a student has already registered or is planning to register, the next logical step to take is to prepare for the exam. “Always stay organized. Focus on a goal for yourself and stick to it. While an AP exam’s score won’t affect a student’s GPA, it should still be taken seriously,” Smith said.
AP exams not only offer the potential to earn college credit but also provide a valuable experience that can shape a student’s college readiness as well as their future academic success. With the registration deadline approaching, students are encouraged to weigh their options carefully, and if they choose to proceed, make the necessary preparations before the testing date.
