AP Computer Science Exam

When it was obvious that I could not earn an A in this course at this time, I dropped the course so that I could regroup. I used my inner talents for analytical analysis and critical thinking to identify the reasons for my challenges in AP Physics. Quickly I realized that the pressure of getting a good GPA and good grades in every course had paralyzed me. I had channeled all my energy into earning a grade and neglected to consider that knowledge must

Students in AP courses typically are required to write more essays and solve through provoking problems that normal students typically do not do (Grove). These various skills that are developed, such as the critical thinking and high-level calculating, help to pave the road for success with students (Davis). Gaining these essential skills while in high school helps to shape healthy habits in students and prepare them for their future in college. For example, AP courses contain different levels of rigor and commitment than a normal course offers a student, which offers students a glance at college work and expectations (Grove). Therefore, the student will be better prepared for the workload and level of intensity that exists in a college atmosphere. Participation in an AP course can help to develop essential skills that students will need later in their academic lives once they reach

Throughout many of the arduous AP courses I took in high school I was pushed to my limits, but I accomplished my goals through hard work. One example of this would be my AP United States History class. This class was one of the most difficult courses I had taken, mostly due to the sheer amount of information being presented and needed to be memorized. Even though the basics of U.S. history had been taught to me in one way shape or form every school year, there was brand new information on people and important dates. At first I struggled with the work load and text, but I eventually made it through and succeeded by diving

AP may challenge you, but we believe you're more than capable of rising to that challenge. And We'll be here every step of the way to support you. The highlight of AP class is that unlike tradition classes they are scored on a 5.0 grading scale and not the standard

In the beginning of my junior year, I had signed up for one of the most intimidating classes in my high school, AP chemistry. While I took chemistry honors, I heard rumors about the AP course and seen homework packets that overwhelmed me to the point of removing the class from next year’s schedule. However, out of impulsiveness, I decided it was time for a challenge and put the course back on my schedule. When I received my summer assignment for the course, I felt confused and regretful about the decision I had made. My commitment to not fail the class the first week back from break forced me to focus on the time-consuming homework. From my struggle, I managed to finish the packet on time. The school year began, and one of the first lessons

Throughout my high school career I have taken several rigorous classes in order to test my academic ability. However, my school has not given me the opportunity to take a particular type of course commonly found at other other high schools around the country: Advanced Placement. Rochester High School does offer thirty-eight honors classes, but these lack the prestige of AP courses. The difficulty and curriculum of an honors course varies by school and by state, so universities cannot fully understand a student’s course load when this type of class appears on his or her transcript, especially when the applicant is from out-of-state.

On paper, I may not be the best student. I know very well that I am not the brightest student that this university has come across. Nonetheless, my drive and determination is something that I am very proud of. I strive to put my all into every aspect of my education. I remember junior year of high school being the most challenging year I have ever had. I took the initiative of taking three AP level courses all in one semester. I took AP U.S. History, AP Language, and AP Statistics head on that semester. I had heard rumors about AP U.S. History being “the hardest class you will ever take in high school”. That terrified me from the moment I first entered the classroom. With the help of an amazing teacher, it became my favorite class right away. I had not heard much about AP Language, so I had no clue what

On Wednesday morning, I wondered if I will do well on my AP Lang test. For one, the thought of not knowing if the essays provided on the exam would be harder or easier was uncomfortable. However, I know everyone else is in the same situation as me. Mrs. bandelier instructed us with care, but the moment she said we may open out packet and answer sheets, the pressure and the stress all come pounding down on me. “This is it. I either pass or fail” is what I tell myself. The fact that I read slower and answer slower doesn’t assure me. What surprises me was on the exam this year, 5 essays were included instead of four. This means I have to read one essay than what we have practiced in class. However, the essays were interesting, and I

At the beginning of junior year, I had a difficult time with AP Biology. Even though I completed all the practice assignments, I did not do well on the first few lab write-ups and tests. The class was so hard for me that I contemplated dropping. I convinced myself to stay in the class and worked extensively with my teacher outside of class. I tried different studying techniques and methods and found the most effective one for me: pre-reading the textbook sections before my teacher introduced the concept. As this was the first course truly had difficulties with, I recognized that failures in life are inevitable. I embrace a new mindset now that incorporates these challenges into my personal growth. I now use each new obstacle as stepping stones

The system to gauge the number of APs a student should take should not simply be a three-class limit, but rather a multivariable consideration of the student’s capabilities thus far.

Students must cram vital information that is already tough to accomplish, but is exponentially worse when multiple courses are involved. As a result, the AP exam is essentially another standardized test on extremely refined details of the course material that requires many hours of study and review that most students couldn’t handle if they’re fully engaged in 2 or more other AP courses. Julianne Micoleta and Elk Grove both concur that “one of the major flaws in the AP system is that every class is geared toward a standardized test. The result is that comprehensive learning is sacrificed for the sake of test preparation, with teachers spending the most time on topics likely to appear on the AP exam.” Seemingly, teachers are gambling on what will appear on the actual test and cannot teach every aspect, in detail, of what the course description entails. Multiplying this factor with other AP courses and students anxiety to study everything just to cram all the miscellaneous material would completely burn any student out. Mr. Stewart believes that “the teacher needs to do a really good job of preparing the students academically, mentally, and emotionally” both in engaging completely in class as well as preparation for the exam. Fundamentally, teachers can have a profound effect

At Ardrey Kell High School, students are often confused about whether or not to take an AP class. One might see your GPAs and feel that it is not high enough to get into that dream college. One might just want earn college credits early so one can save money when college rolls around. One might also take these classes simply to learn more about subjects about which he or she are passionate. No matter the reason for taking these classes, they require a momentous commitment to work hard and an extreme amount of effort in order to pass. Students can cope with these requirements by managing time efficiently and becoming organized, which will help them achieve a higher assignment completion rate and score higher on tests and quizzes.

Past studies have proven that gender differences exist within the context they are learning. The context students’ are learning in school sometimes favors one gender over the other. Stephanie Moller focuses her research on secondary schools and the Advance Placement (A.P) course curriculum. Moller believes AP course curriculum are more important because they “are attractive with colleges’ admissions committees” (S. Moller et al., 2013). Moller argues that because girls are more likely to enroll in college and participate in extracurricular activities, girls benefit more from AP curriculums. While the opportunity to take AP courses are available for girls and boys, girls are the ones who learn from it and this is partly because AP classes have a more rigorous context to understand. AP courses are usually transferred to college credits when the student scored a 3 or 4 on the exam, this helps students in college. AP exams sometimes cover general requirement credits of the college which can assist students accomplish their major quicker.

One experience that really impacted my intellectual development was when I went through my Advanced Placement Calculus AB course. Normally, AP classes are not too challenging for me. However, in early 2015, I moved from Knoxville, Tennessee to Wichita Falls, Texas. When I transferred, I missed a half-credit of pre-calculus, which meant that I was not fully prepared to take AP Calculus. In July 2015, I moved back to Knoxville, Tennessee and attended my previous school. When I went back to Knoxville, the registrar assigned me to AP Calculus AB with Coach Howard. Knowing that I lacked a half-credit of pre-calculus, I felt underprepared for the course. However, when I took the AP Calculus AB course, I learned much more than Calculus. I studied

An Advanced Placement (AP) class is a benefit and a great opportunity that allows an individual to grow in experience and in knowledge. I know that an AP class requires commitment, proactiveness, hard working skills, and an eager mind. I also know that AP classes are especially challenging but will allow me to sharpen my skills, experience the “college class life,” and improve educationally and mentally. The many benefits that an AP class can provide me with include increasing my GPA, learning more in depth about the given subject, having an opportunity to earn college credits, saving time and money, and improving my chances of getting into college. Some of the qualities that I posses that would lead me to success in any AP class would be concentration,