For the past few weeks, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate students have studied to take their exams. These programs are meant to challenge students with college-level work and prepare them for the next step after high school. Students can choose from various courses including mathematics, social studies, science, English, fine arts and world languages. Taking the AP or IB exams allows students the opportunity to earn college credit. 

These exams aren’t free. According to Shawn Doctor, diploma program coordinator, students have to pay $113 per exam. The Dean of Instruction, JoAnn Tanzer, says students pay $85 per AP exam. 

Sophomore Reesha Kulsum: “I took the AP World History Modern exam. I was hesitant to take WHAP because I’ve always hated history growing up. Though as the year progressed, I started enjoying WHAP, this change in perspective was thanks to my amazing teacher, Mrs. Hauenstein. Due to her strong passion for the subject and effective way of teaching it, [she helped] me feel prepared and confident as I took the exam.”

Sophomore Aiden Singh: “I am taking the AP Computer Science A, AP Physics 1, AP World History, and AP Statistics exams. The key way I studied for my AP Exams was by practicing and applying the concepts to practice problems and real life. I am glad that I am earning college credit from these classes, but the primary reason I took them was to challenge myself. I would be fine either way if these classes weren’t accepted by colleges for college credit.”

Senior Rania Merchant: “I am taking the IB history HL exam and the Psychology HL exam. HL [stands for] higher level and it means it’s a two-year course. I chose to take these classes because I’ve always heard good things from previous IB students who enjoyed the class and the teachers. I think earning college credit is an amazing opportunity to save money in college. Both IB and AP exams save a lot of students like myself money in the future.”

Senior Roman Kocheisen: “I am taking IB History HL, Biology HL, English HL, Psychology SL, Math SL, and AP Statistics. In terms of studying, I just lubricate all the long and hard content we’ve learned, and I shove it deep into my brain. I chose to do IB and take these tests because I like the IB Diploma’s interdisciplinary approach and global focus to learning. It provides a challenge, but it’s really fun, and the community is great. IB is definitely a great way to earn college credit if you do well on exams, but the main benefit from IB is the education you get from it.”