A desire to get ahead of the competition and to learn more has led a small group of students to pursue a difficult but not impossible task each year: studying on their own and taking AP tests in subjects not offered at the school.
“I believe students are motivated [to take self-studied AP tests] because of their interest in the subject and their ability to test themselves to get a sense of where they stand,” assistant principal Brain Safine said.
Junior Myron Zhang decided to take the AP World History and AP Human Geography tests last year because of his affinity for history. Having scored a the maximum 5 on both exams, he will take the AP European History test in addition to four AP tests for his classes this May.
“I thought I had the potential to learn more from my world history experience, so I decided to challenge myself by self-studying for [these AP tests],” said Zhang. “Because I have an intense interest in history, I had already read a lot of material [that is featured on these AP exams], and I was able to carry this previous knowledge over into my studying for the AP tests.”
Zhang prepared for these tests by purchasing prep books and taking multiple practice tests. Any extra time he has over the weekends is spent studying and planning for the AP tests.
Sophomore Neil Prasad, who is studying for the AP World History test, has similar study habits.
“I read the book, while taking notes simultaneously,” he said. “Then I bought the Barrons’ AP World History book and started taking practice tests.”
However, Zhang cautions against students learning the material on their own unless they have a strong personal interest in the subject.
“If you don’t already feel you have a grasp on the material, then I would not recommend it,” Zhang said. “But if you feel like you can handle it, then it is a very rewarding experience.”
This year the school will administer 21 self-studied AP exams, a slight decrease from the 26 that were taken in 2010.
While this accounts for only about 3 percent of the total number of AP tests taken at the school, a vast majority of the students who take these self-studied tests receive a passing score of three, said Safine.
The popularity of certain subjects varies from year to year, Safine said. For example, in 2010, 10 students took the AP Psychology exam, while only four students took the test in 2009. This year the most popular subjects are psychology and economics.
Students who are interested in taking an AP test in a subject that the school does not offer are able do so either at Saratoga High or at another high school that does offer that course, but they can be subject to additional costs and requirements.
Despite the evident challenges that accompany self-study, Safine offers his full support to students to trying their hand at stepping out of their comfort zone and take an AP test on their own.
“We would encourage anyone with an interest or background in a subject to pursue that test,” Safine said. “It’s something students can do if they’ve spent time reviewing for a certain subject or are obviously interested in it.”