Are AP exams mandatory for high school students?

Hi friends, I've been wondering, are we actually required by schools to take AP exams? I'm currently enrolled in a couple of AP classes and I'm not sure if the exams are mandatory or just strongly recommended. Could use some insight here!

Hi there! It's great that you're taking AP classes and looking forward to your exams. To answer your question, no, AP exams are not mandatory for high school students. While the classes are designed to prepare you for the exams, taking the exam is entirely up to you. However, the benefits of taking the exams include the opportunity to earn college credit or advanced placement in college courses if you score well — usually a 3 or higher. This can save you time and money in college.

For example, a student of mine last year scored a 4 on their AP Biology exam and was able to skip the intro biology class at their university. This allowed them to dive into higher-level courses sooner. Schools might recommend taking the exams to see how well you've mastered the course content and because strong scores can strengthen your college applications. But ultimately, the decision is yours. If you feel well-prepared and wish to potentially earn college credit, it's worth considering taking them. Either way, just make sure you're learning and enjoying the subjects you're studying — that's most important!