QUESTIONS & ANSWERS REGARDING AP COURSES IN GENERAL
1.
What does “Advanced Placement” mean?
This refers to the fact that after completing the course material for an AP course, you will take an
exam in May (given by the same organization that administers the SAT’s) which possibly can allow
you to “place out” of that class in college if you score well enough. The exam is scored in a range
from 1 to 5. With a score of 2 or lower, colleges assume you have mastered very little of the course
content, and you will have to take a comparable class as part of their curriculum. With a score of 3
some colleges will consider you qualified in this course, and they will award you the credits, resulting
in a big cash savings for you. Most competitive colleges and universities will require a score of 4 or 5
to give you these credits. You will need to check with the specific college you wish to attend to find
out precisely what score is required for that school. Exception: If, for example, you intend to major
in biology, most colleges do not want you to skip a biology class that is part of this major, but a high
AP score on the biology exam may qualify you to enter their honors program. This can be true in
other majors as well. Again, check with the college.
2.
Is it true that AP courses receive the highest grade weighting on report cards?
Yes. Honors classes are weighted 1.04. Dual enrollment courses are weighted 1.06. Advanced
Placement classes are weighted 1.08. However, any student who refuses to take the AP exam in May
will NOT receive a weighted grade. (The district pays the cost for this exam so that all may take it.)
3.
What if I flunk the exam…doesn’t that look bad on my transcript?
No. Your exam score does NOT appear on your transcript. Just like the SAT’s, colleges only receive
your score if you decide to release it to them. Colleges do not consider AP scores while you are
applying for admission. They are used strictly for placement purposes after you are already
accepted.
4.
If I’m a poor test taker, and will likely get a low score, is there any point in taking an AP course?
Definitely! College admissions offices are looking for top students, and seeing an AP course listed
with the classes you took in high school indicates that you are a highly motivated, intelligent and
mature individual…the cream of the crop! Participation in AP courses is a growing trend among
America’s best students. In other school districts, students have the opportunity to take as many as
13 different AP courses over their 4 years of high school. If you are applying to an elite college, you
will be in competition with many students who have taken AP courses.
Likewise, participation in an AP course will help you develop the kind of study habits that will be
essential for success in college. Students who have earned good grades in several AP classes never
need to wonder if they will be able to handle a college curriculum. This is perhaps the best reason to
take an AP class!
5.
I’ve already chosen my college major, but the school I’m applying to won’t allow me to skip any
courses in my major even if I score a 5 on the exam. So, why should I bother with AP?
Students attending college will have to compete with other students who have taken many AP
courses in high school. You do not want to start your course of study in college at a disadvantage
compared to your classmates. Without adequate preparation, you will likely find yourself needing
tutoring and remedial help early on in your college career. If you already have a college major in
mind, you should be sure to take the corresponding AP course in high school (for example: chemistry
majors should take AP Chem, Spanish majors should take AP Spanish, and so on). Think about it…if
you’re afraid that you can’t handle an AP course in high school, how will you ever tackle the
challenge of pursuing that major in college? It is better to face that challenge now (as a means to
discover if you’re capable), rather than waste thousands of dollars taking college classes for which
you are unqualified and having to eventually change majors.
6.
Don’t you have to be a genius to take an AP class?
NO! While the material covered is indeed challenging, any good student who puts in the time and
effort can master it. The biggest problem for most students is the amount of material covered in AP.
With so much content material to be learned, the successful AP student must be:
a) extremely organized – you will need easy access to all of your notes and tools that facilitate
studying
(high-lighters, flash cards, etc.)
b) an excellent time manager – you will need to plan your study time to be sure it all gets done
c) mature enough to see the long-terms benefits of this effort – senioritis is not an option
d) responsible – all assignments must be taken seriously and turned in on time
e) willing to read, read, and read some more – all AP courses emphasize the text/literature
However, you see that “genius” is NOT a requirement for success! EVERY college student will need
these same skills. Research has shown that students who participated in high school AP courses
meet with greater success in college.
7.
How often does an AP class meet?
An AP class counts as 1.5 credits because it meets 5 class periods a week PLUS an additional period
every other day. If your schedule does not allow for this extra period, talk to your guidance counselor
about some creative solutions that have been applied to this problem in the past. For example, some
students have been allowed to take Health as an independent study in order to free up time for AP.
Other arrangements can possibly be worked out for your situation.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS REGARDING SPECIFIC AP COURSES
BIOLOGY:
1.
I have no interest in science (I’m going to major in journalism/art/history/etc.) In that case,
there’s no reason for me to take AP Bio, right?
EVERY student participating in an honors curriculum could benefit from taking AP Bio. If you intend
to be a liberal arts major in college, you will still be required to take at least one semester of a lab
science. Most non-science majors end up taking biology in college, and you will likely be using the
exact same text book we use here in our AP course. Students who take AP Bio and pass the exam in
May will perhaps have the opportunity to SKIP this lab science in college. Students who do not pass
the exam will have a head start on the material they will be expected to know in college, which will
make that semester of lab science much easier for them!
2.
What do you do in AP Biology after the exam in mid-May?
Following the AP exam, students no longer focus on lecture and notes. Instead they will spend the
remaining weeks doing a dissection of the fetal pig. The final exam will then consist of an “open
book” lab packet in which students answer questions on the anatomy and physiology of the pig.
CHEMISTRY:
1.
Is it only students who intend to major in Chemistry who should be taking AP Chem in high
school?
No. As mentioned in reference to AP Bio previously, even students who will pursue a liberal arts
major in college will have to take one lab science there, and if you pass the AP Chem exam, you may
skip that lab science. Alternatively, if you do not pass the AP exam, having taken AP Chem in high
school, you would be prepared to select chemistry as your college lab science if that is a subject you
enjoy more than biology. (The same would apply to AP Physics taken in high school.)
Likewise, certain college majors will incorporate a great deal of chemistry in their curriculum, and
students pursuing such majors would benefit from AP Chem in high school. These would include
majors in pharmacy, chemical engineering, and other branches of engineering as well.
2. What do you do in AP Chemistry after the exam?
Students will be doing two additional units: one on nuclear chemistry and one on environmental
chemistry, complete with labs - some of which must be done outdoors.
PHYSICS:
1.
Which AP physics class is offered at BHS?
The College Board offers 3 different AP physics exams. The AP Physics course offered at Berwick is
Physics C - Mechanics. However, there will be a large section of our course spent introducing
electromagnetism as well.
2.
Do I have the math skills necessary to take AP physics?
Calculus will be used from time to time in AP Physics, and although it is helpful to have already taken
calc, or to be taking calc concurrent with AP Physics, it is not required.
SPANISH:
1. Are there any prerequisites for AP Spanish?
AP Spanish Language is a new course offering this year. There are two ways to qualify for the
course. The first method is by completing Spanish I - IV by starting Spanish I as an eighth grader.
The second way is to complete Spanish I, II, and III, and an independent study of Spanish IV. Please
see Mrs. Isenberg to find out if you qualify.
ENGLISH
1. What is the difference between English Language and English Literature?
English Language and Composition is taken during your junior year. Students are required to
complete summer reading and the content of the class will focus upon lengthy expository, analytical
and argumentative essays. Topics include major philosophies/movements,
historical/sociological/thematic connection and a non-fiction emphasis, poetry, drama, short stories
and novels.
English Literature and Composition is taken during your senior year. You do not have to take English
Language as a prerequisite. Summer reading is required and the course involves intensive writing as
a response to the extensive reading of all literary genres from a variety of time periods. Students will
demonstrate critical and analytical thought, participate in frequent discussions and refine the writing
process.
COMPUTER SCIENCE A:
1. What are the benefits of AP Computer Science?
You will be learning the Java language. Java is the most commonly used programming language
throughout the world. Most colleges have a first year computer course that is almost always centered
around Java. If you plan on attending college this could count as a general elective, contingent upon
your AP Exam score.
US GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS:
1. Can I take US Government and Politics in place of American History 2?
Currently, this course can be taken as your third required history course.
CALCULUS:
1. What is the difference between Calculus AB and Calculus BC?
Calculus AB can be considered the first level of Calculus and is the prerequisite to Calculus BC.
Calculus is NOT a prerequisite to Calculus AB.
LATIN:
1. What are the prerequisites for AP Latin?
You must complete Latin 3 to be eligible for AP Latin. Latin 4 is not a prerequisite.