by Claire Pritchard and Caitlin Pham, News Editors
This spring, teachers will offer different options for students who choose not to take the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) exams for their classes.
Annalise Attreed, a language arts teacher, said, “FVHS AP English Lit [AP English Literature and Composition] students who do not take the College Board’s AP exam are required to take a similar exam in class on the day of the AP [English] mLit for three hours.”
The teachers hope that their policies encourage students to take the AP test, which is something they think is important.
“I encourage students to take the exam because it’s an a AP English Lit and & Comp course with a syllabus approved by the College Board,” said Attreed. “In other words, the course is designed to help prepare students for the test so it seems like the natural culmination of our class preparations.”
Some students find it helpful to be encouraged to take the AP exam, especially if they are already contemplating not taking it.
“Tell them that there isn’t wrong with trying and help boost up their confidence with the fact that they aren’t always going to fail,” said Elaine Hoang (‘17). “Students always believe the worse in themselves, and don’t want to pay to fail. We’re also really insecure—teachers should remind us we can do it.”
For students, there are many factors to consider when deciding to take or opt out of the AP exams for their respective AP classes. Some factors include taking the tests to gain college credits or opting out because the exam prices are too much of a financial burden.
“I am going to take an AP test for all my AP classes because I do not want to have to take that class again once I get to college,” said Michael Frankeny (‘17).
Some students believe that teachers’ policies for non-testing students are unfair and enforce contradictory ideas.
“Teachers always talk about the valuable skills they’re learning and how those skills will benefit them later in life, but when teachers punish students who don’t take the AP test, it just seems like all they care about is the AP test,” said Jean Moo (‘16).
Many students do understand the advantages taking AP exams can give a student, which are not limited to college credit.
“I personally choose to take the AP test for college credit. Even though I won’t get credit for all 4 of my classes, if I pass with a 3,4 or 5, I know at the end of the day I mastered a certain subject towards my standards,” said Ronak Savsani (‘17). “I want to keep open slots in terms of classes my freshman year of college so I can pursue other endeavors.”
Teachers understand students’, especially seniors, hesitance to register for AP exams, but encourage them to see the benefits of the tests and to finish high school strong.
“I am sympathetic to 12th grade AP students who have received their college admissions letters and may feel a little “over” high school academics,” said Attreed. “It’s a natural feeling after working so hard for so long while anticipating the next step, but I encourage students to hang in there just a little longer to get the full benefit of what they’ve committed themselves to.”
