Spring brings rigorous exams to SYVUHS Advanced Placement students

 

The abstract idea of spring exams has suddenly become a lot more real; as of March 14, all Advanced Placement students were required to sign up for the May exams.

Since the school allows students to take AP classes without taking the respective exams, this deadline forced many students to decide whether they will actually be taking the tests in May.

The standardized exams will be offered on the same day nationwide and are extremely difficult.

As Advanced Placement classes are intended to approximate the level of a college class, they are much more rigorous than regular high school classes.

Not only does this prepare students for college, but the tests measure a student’s knowledge of a given subject.

 

The scores, mailed to each student during the summer, range from zero to five, with five being the highest score, and three a passing grade.

However, the largest benefit of AP tests is the credit that many colleges give. Though institutions’ policies vary, many colleges and universities will give a student with a score of 4 or 5 on a test credit for the respective course.

This allows an accomplished AP student to bypass beginner courses — like freshman English, for example — once they enroll in college.

 

In some cases, AP scholars can gain enough credit to graduate from college early.

Santa Ynez Valley Union High School has long had a well-developed Advanced Placement (AP) program, and the list of exams offered does not disappoint.

Three AP History exams, European History, U.S. History, and American Government and Politics, will be tested in May, as well as English Literature and English Language, Spanish Literature and Spanish Language, Statistics, Calculus AB and BC, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Studio Art, and Latin.

Though the impending AP tests are always a source of stress for the students, who range from sophomores to seniors, the classes are always enjoyable once the tests are over. After the frenzied preparation building up to the May exams, the AP classes seem downright leisurely for the month between the exams and the end of school.

 

Though the pressure and hard work are worth it in the long run, for many the end of the AP tests marks the beginning of the relaxing slide into summer.

After intensive four-hour AP testing sessions, even finals seem like a piece of cake.