Taking the AP exam is NOT REQUIRED for the AP course although the course prepares students for the exam.  

Most students choose to take the optional exam in hopes of scoring well and earn college credits...saving time/money in college.  

This link details which exam scores are accepted by colleges: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting-credit-placement/search-policies 

It is 100% student-choice to take an AP exam.

Scholars who are doing well in the AP course usually do well on the exam so all are encouraged to take the exam. 

However, these exams are several hours long and during the school day, which may require students to make tough choices on how to best use their time in the final weeks of school.  

For some scholars, the stress of the experience has resulted in them literally trembling, crying, or vomiting in the exam room.  No exam is worth this damage to self-esteem!  Families are strongly encouraged to NOT pressure scholars to test if they are not ready.

1: students register themselves at myap.collegeboard.org

using a personal email, students will make an account then use join codes for each exam they plan to take

select your school's page below for your unique links