The Right Time to Take AP Tests

My sophomore in high school is taking two AP courses. Should he take the AP exams later this year? -- Wondering

Answer: According to Mandy Ginsberg, CEO of Tutor.com, any student who is taking an AP class should take the corresponding exam while the material is fresh. Over 30 percent of high school graduates take at least one AP exam. So that means if your sophomore is currently taking AP biology, he should take the exam now and cross it off his to-do list.

AP exams this year will take place the weeks of May 2-6 and 9-13. There is a fee of $92 for each exam and is higher if you live outside the U.S. However, the College Board does offer a $30 fee reduction for eligible students.

The exam takes about three hours. The first part is multiple choice, and the score is based on how many questions are answered correctly -- so there are no points given or lost for unanswered questions or wrong answers. The second part is usually free response, which could be an essay or a solution to a problem.