Elie Hancock

Seniors must make the tough decision on whether or not they will study for their upcoming AP exams. Is it worth the stress, or does senioritis prevent them from putting in the effort?

As spring rolls in and graduation is just around the corner, most seniors at Benilde-St. Margaret’s are eagerly anticipating the end of their high school journey. But with AP exams approaching, are they opening their textbooks to study, or has their focus shifted elsewhere? With college decisions made and senioritis hitting BSM students hard, some students are rethinking whether Advanced Placement tests are worth the stress. With that being said, are seniors still trying for these tests, or are they tapping out?

For some seniors who have taken multiple AP classes, the real challenge is deciding which exams are worth studying for. Senior Audrey Anderson, who enrolled in at least 5 different AP courses, including Calculus, Physics, U.S. Government, Comparative Government, and Literature, is facing this exact dilemma. She chose not to study for the more difficult classes, such as Physics and Calculus, because she feels like she won’t get a high enough score to gain any college credit. Instead, she prioritized the AP classes that were more relevant to her college major. This is smarter for incoming college students because it gives them a foundation for understanding what courses they will be studying in the future. It may also allow you to skip intro classes required to graduate, which in turn helps you graduate earlier, as well as have the opportunity to take more advanced classes. “I decided to study for Lit and Government because I’m going to be a history major for pre-law, so it just goes with it,” Anderson said.

Although scoring high on AP tests could benefit students by skipping introductory classes or even graduating earlier, the actual benefit depends on whether or not the college they attend will accept their AP score. Most colleges accept credit from a wide variety of AP classes. However, the qualifications vary, such as the minimum score needed for colleges to accept the credit. Senior Kendall Hassler is taking the AP Physics test, which is one of the most challenging AP exams to pass. To pass AP Physics, you need to score at least a three. For Hassler, she found that re-learning the complex material to study for the test was a waste of time since she didn’t think she would pass. Another thing you need to consider is the fact that most colleges only take credit for students who score a four or a five. “It’s too much work to study just to fail a test. I never know what we’re doing in class, and I struggle on every assignment,” Hassler said.

As the final weeks of high school wind down, it is clear that BSM seniors are weighing their options when it comes to the amount of effort they want to put in for AP exams. For some, scoring high is beneficial because it gives them a head start in their major, making the extra effort worth it. For others, especially those who are feeling the effects of burnout from hard classes and the inevitable senioritis, the motivation just isn’t there. So, seniors, you decide whether to end your year studying hard or find that treating yourself to a final stretch without pressure is what you need most. After all, you had 4 years of hard work, making either path a valid one.