AP Chemistry in New York State - anyone familiar?

[grinningghost]

I have to go to an AP Chemistry presentation at DD's school tonight. She is being encouraged to take it next year, but I'm not sure I want her to. She already takes accelerated math and English classes and I don't want her more stressed than she already is.

If you've taken it or know someone who has, how tough is it?

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

it's college-level chemistry. I opted not totake the science AP exams in high school even though I took the English and global History exams.

my dd will be a freshman in september. the high school principal had orientation for the parents of freshmen a few weeks ago, and all he could talk about was Regents exams and AP classes. scary stuff.

 

[grinningghost]

Originally posted by Briar Rose 7457
it's college-level chemistry. I opted not totake the science AP exams in high school even though I took the English and global History exams.

my dd will be a freshman in september. the high school principal had orientation for the parents of freshmen a few weeks ago, and all he could talk about was Regents exams and AP classes. scary stuff.

Very scary stuff indeed. My DD took the Math A Regents in January and passed it thankfully - because you don't graduate without it. School is alot harder than when I was a freshman, that's for sure.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

they're giving my dd's class the option to take a non-Regents diploma, but after her year, forget it. they sent home the list of course distributions and what's required for graduation. I took Regents exams, but not as many as she's going to have to take.

 

[Lisa F]

Of course this was ages ago, but when I went to school you did NOT need to pass the AP exam in order to pass the class... they were two separate things. If that's the case, and your daughter is good enough at science to warrent taking the class then it might be worth it for the chance that she MIGHT pass the AP and end up with college credit... especially if a failure doesn't mean she actually fails the class. With how expensive college credits are nowadays, a passing grade on the AP could save a few thousand $$.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

the way it's taught at my dd's high school, if I'm not mistaken, is that you tak ethe AP class instead of the regular chemistry class -- and take the Regents exam as your final and the AP exam as an "extra".

 

[Evil Princess]

Originally posted by Briar Rose 7457
they're giving my dd's class the option to take a non-Regents diploma, but after her year, forget it. they sent home the list of course distributions and what's required for graduation. I took Regents exams, but not as many as she's going to have to take.

Non-Regents diploma's weren't even an option for my class. My mother informed me that this year Commack has the highest percentage in Suffolk graduating with Regents diplomas.

Gee, could that be because they require you to graduate with one unless you have a special circumstance? lol.

I did okay with Regents, except for the Physics one, that they're regrading NOW, two years after it was given. Yep, cause it makes a difference for me now that I'm in college and all...

 

[nsyncraider17]

AP Chemistry is undoubtedly the hardest class I have ever taken.

I do have a B average, though, and it's a weighted grade, so it will count as an A. The AP test is 2 weeks away, and apparently it is so hard that you can get less than half of the questions correct and still earn at least a 3.

At my school, you have to take the test in order to receive credit for the class, but you don't have to pass the test.

 

[bsnyder]

Here in our county, you don't have to take the AP exam to pass the course. But AP classes add .08 to your semester GPA.

Some colleges will give credit for a score of 3 or higher, on the national exam. The more selective schools require or 4 or 5.

The pressure to take the hardest classes available is considerable, these days, to gain admission to the elite colleges. Most of my son's friends took 8-12 AP's during their 4 years of high school.

 

[SoonerKate]

I didn't really find AP Chem that hard, and I am not a science person. I really think it depends on the quality of science instruction you've had before, and of course, your teacher.

I did have to take Biology and regular Chemistry before even having the option of AP science classes -- if your daughter doesn't have a chem background already, I honestly wouldn't consider it. Some of the concepts can really take time to grasp, and AP Classes aren't necessarily paced to give you that time.

FWIW, I got a 4 on the test, and got credit for it, but I still had to take another science with a lab in college to meet my gen ed requirements.

 

[Nancy]

My Dd #2 wants to take AP courses when she gets to high school in September. After orientation all she could talk about was getting the regents with distinction diploma. (AP classes) The requirements for graduation just went up again! School is so much tougher now! You can't afford to fail at all...there is not enough time to get everything in if you ahve to do makeup classes. Oldest DD failed a few classes last year and I'm really worried that she won't get all her credits in to graduate on time.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

Evil Princess, you should have heard the principal at High School West going onand on and on about how many HHH students take the AP's and how wonderful our program is.

taking a local diploma is an option for the class of 2008, but I have no doubt it will be highly discouraged.

 

[Evil Princess]

Originally posted by Briar Rose 7457
Evil Princess, you should have heard the principal at High School West going onand on and on about how many HHH students take the AP's and how wonderful our program is.

taking a local diploma is an option for the class of 2008, but I have no doubt it will be highly discouraged.

Oh trust me, I know, I got it at Commack too.

"One of the only schools on Long Island to have the IB programme. Many of our students graduate with both IB and Regents diplomas. Blue Ribbon school district, AP blah blah blah..."

I swear, I had more pressure in high school than I do in college when it comes to grades!

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

when I met my daughter's guidance counselor for next year, she spent the whole time talking about how she was going to guide us through the college admission process. my daughter will be a freshman in september. no pressure at all, right?

 

[Evil Princess]

Welcome to Long Island schools! lol

I'm surprised we all graduated without having nervous breakdowns.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

Originally posted by Evil Princess
Welcome to Long Island schools! lol

I'm surprised we all graduated without having nervous breakdowns.

something to look forward to, I see.