Students refuse to take AP exams

by Ryan Hennigan

This week of AP exams was unique to the four years of Pembroke High School history in that some students actually attempted to refuse to take the AP exams. Students that enroll in AP classes are required to take the AP exam as well as pay the fees to take the exam. The fee to take any AP exam this year was $83 per test.
“It is clearly stated in the agenda that all AP students are required to take the AP exam. As well as receiving possible AP credits for college, the exam scores determine whether or not a student receives AP or honors level credit toward their GPA,” said Assistant Principal Mrs. Szostak.
Some seniors this year that were facing academic problems in their AP classes were discouraged by the fact that they would have to pay $83 for a test they already thought they might do poorly on, according to senior Charles Budd.
“Students should be able to choose whether or not they want to take the test. You should still be able to receive the AP level credit for your GPA if you get all Bs in an AP class. If you were in an honors class, the grades would have probably been lower, so they rip you off in this way by making you pay for the AP exam so you can keep a higher GPA,” Budd explained.
Some classes seemed to have more people refusing to take the AP exam than others. Most notably, large amounts of students in Environmental Science and AP Calculus were complaining about taking the test.
“It seemed like the whole Environmental Science class was refusing to take the test. There were a couple kids in AP Calculus too, and some of them argued until the end,” said senior Alexa Teevens.
However, the guidance department stepped in and calmed the waters, making sure everyone paid for the test and made repeated announcements that all AP students had to take their exams.