The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science is known for many things, one being the rigorous course schedule. To add emphasis to the college level courses students take, AP Courses in mathematics and science are also offered. In the spring semester, students are offered an opportunity to take the AP exam and possibly obtain a college credit from certain universities. The scores range for one to five with a majority of colleges accepting a score of three or higher for a university credit to be earned. The exam will also give students to gauge their understanding on a national level.

Gregory Billingsley, an MSMS junior enrolled in AP Chemistry (a year-long course) said, “I just want to see how much I’ve learned compared to other students in the nation.”

Unlike previous years, MSMS will not require students enrolled in a semester or year-long AP course to take the exam. These exams are typically funded by the MSMS Foundation and due to lack of funding this year, students will have the option of taking one exam costing about $92, paid for by the foundation or taking none at all. Students are also able to take as many exams as they want if they pay themselves. To take four or more they must gain faculty approval.

Senior Tiana Spivey, who has taken AP Calculus I, II & III mentioned, “I want to be an aerospace engineer and my degree requires Calc I to III so I want to be prepared for my college course load.”

When funding issues were announced students were polled about their preference about mandatory AP testing. These new testing practices were also mentioned to the students during the Student Concerns Meeting in the fall held by Dr. Germain McConnell, Executive Director.

Timothy Spivey thought, “They were right in asking our opinion on things like mandatory testing outside the normal curriculum. I, for one, didn’t feel ready to take an advanced test like this even though I am taking a AP course for a high school credit.”

Seemingly fewer students will be taking the AP exams this year. Many of them have said their respective college choices do not accept AP scores, or that it is too much to study for the AP Exams and finals, and the desire to lessen the stress.

AP exams are scheduled during May 2 to May 12.