Alright, enough of the AP classes. Here are the basics of AP exams. AP exams are scored out of 5. If you scored 3 or higher, it is considered that you passed the exam. You can earn college credit by scoring 3 or higher but make sure to check if your dream college accepts those credits or not. With the credits, you do not have to take certain classes because you have already “passed them” through the AP exams. Most AP exams have a multiple choice section and a free response section with the exceptions like studio art. If you took an AP class, it is expected for you to take the exam as well. You look better to colleges if you do too. Though it is expected, you don’t necessarily have to take it, especially if you are not confident or if it is too costly. Of course, you may take the test without taking an AP class, but overall an AP class would prepare you much more. To add on AP exams cost $94 each or $5 each if you qualify for the fee reduction program. It is expensive for those who don’t qualify for the $5 fee, but it would save you a few thousand when you go to college.
For reference, this is a list of passing rates of each AP exams in 2018:
Exam name:
Chinese Language and Culture
Studio Art: Drawing
Spanish Language and Culture
Studio Art: 2-D Design
Spanish Language and Culture (Standard)
Seminar
Calculus BC
Japanese Language and Culture
French Language and Culture
Physics C: Mechanics
Research
French Language and Culture (Standard)
Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
Computer Science Principles
German Language and Culture
Spanish Literature
Studio Art: 3-D Design
Chinese Language and Culture (Standard)
Italian Language and Culture
Computer Science A
Microeconomics
Latin
Music Theory
Psychology
Art History
Italian Language and Culture (Standard)
German Language and Culture (Standard)
Gov. and Politics - Comparative
Physics 2
Biology
Statistics
Japanese Language and Culture (Standard)
Calculus AB
European History
Macroeconomics
English Language and Composition
World History
Chemistry
Human Geography
Gov. and Politics - United States
United States History
Environmental Science
English Literature and Composition
Physics 1
Passing Rate (3+):
91.3%
89.5%
88.3%
84.6%
82.9%
82.8%
79.8%
77.8%
77.2%
77.2%
75.2%
74.1%
73.4%
71.2%
71.0%
70.3%
69.0%
68.6%
68.6%
67.8%
67.9%
66.4%
65.8%
65.6%
64.6%
64.2%
63.5%
63.3%
63.1%
61.5%
60.7%
60.6%
57.6%
57.7%
58.5%
57.2%
56.2%
55.9%
54.4%
53.0%
51.8%
47.7%
47.3%
40.6%
Standard means those who are not native or studied abroad for that language.
Don’t take the rates too literally because after all it all depends on your skills.
Source: https://blog.prepscholar.com/hardest-ap-classes-and-tests