Getting a five or even a four on an AP test is easier said than done.  The most excellent and accomplished students often find extreme difficulty in this one assessment, more so than any other.  A score of three, passing but often denied by colleges, is nothing to be ashamed of.  However, it is grossly unfair to the students enrolled in AP courses that they are made to return to class for the rest of the day after these grueling examinations. 

        How productive are the students expected to be?  After taking the most daunting examination of their lives, students must go back to class and actively participate.  And as for students with their AP tests in the afternoon, does anyone really think they will spend their mornings paying attention when such an important test is merely an hour or so away?

            It is also reasonable for administrators to assume that students will cram for their AP tests.  Even those who have been studying for weeks are still likely to trade a few extra hours of studying for much needed sleep.   Those with their AP exams in the afternoon should be allowed to come in late and use the additional three hours to sleep or to fit in some last-minute studying.  Students with exams in the morning should be able to go home and wind down after taking one of the most difficult and important tests  in their lives up to this point in time. 

            It wouldn’t be too difficult to dismiss these students.  The school could simply provide a permission form for students sign, and have signed by their AP instructor, that states they are allowed to leave or come in late due to the AP exam.  The office could set up a system similar to that of the students exempt from Titan Time, for those with morning tests.  I suppose there could also be some concern about students missing their afternoon AP test. However, the set up could be the same as that of final exam week when the staff says approximately: “It is recommended you attend, but it is entirely optional.  You must be at school before your other exam, however.”  Those who would not arrive on time would simply miss their test.