Navigating AP English Language: Should You Opt Out?

Per the College Board and if it complies with your school and school district's regulations, you can opt to take the AP English Language and Composition test at the end of the year by simply paying your test fee. However, if you don't feel the need to take the class, make sure you're 100% sure about it. Sometimes, even if the class seems easy, it can still be a valuable experience.

Should You Take the Class Anyway?

In my opinion, which is not worth all that much, you should take the class anyways. It can be a great way to look over the writing styles of other people, as well as learning other forms of writing and essay structures. The class as a whole is a valuable experience and opting out of a class that can boost your college resume doesn't seem like a good idea. If it's so easy, you should pass with flying colors anyway. So why not take it and boost your GPA?

College Board's Policy on Taking an AP Exam Without the Class

The College Board definitely allows you to take an AP exam without having taken the AP class. However, your school might have policies that compel you to take the class even if you take the AP exam. In my senior year of high school, my school forced me to take the AP Statistics course, even though I had already gotten a 5 on the AP Statistics exam at the end of my freshman year. This was because I ran out of math classes and they wouldn't let me enroll in any classes at the nearby community college. Of course, your experience may vary, so you should definitely check with your guidance counselor and/or other school administrators.

Convincing Your Counselor to Take the AP Exam Without the Class

One of the best ways to convince your guidance counselor to allow you to take the AP exam without the class is to bring your scores and practice tests to them. The counselor or scheduler should be able to see your capabilities and agree that you are quite capable of taking the AP test without having taken the class. While I personally would say to take the class anyway, I can also understand taking an honors level English class for a smaller workload.

For example, I am currently taking a basic level math class despite taking honors and AP for my non-math classes. This is purely for a smaller workload as I have no interest in math or the mathematics field. You may be able to do something similar if you convince your counselor.

Conclusion

Best of luck to you! As a junior who is not as good at AP tests as you, I can say that this is a decision that should be carefully considered. Always check with your guidance counselor and thoroughly understand the policies of your school before making a final decision.

Keywords

AP English Language, AP exam, AP class