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Should I take a test to eliminate foreign languages entirely using my second language for credits? Is it worth it

So, I will be going into the 8th Grade soon and I really need some advice:

Should I take a test to eliminate foreign languages entirely using my second language?

Why I am asking: I recently spoke with a family-friend of mine who was accepted by Yale University and she gave me some advice but I still had some questions. Because in my school, Spanish 1, 2, and 3 are all considered "on-level" which can hurt my weighted GPA. And after that, Spanish 4 and 5 are considered AP classes. I am also a United States(Texas) resident so Spanish might be important to learn.

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Thank you comment icon I'd probably take the test if I were already fluent enough to earn the credits. It saves time and lets you take more advanced classes. That said, because you're in Texas, I'd still try to learn some Spanish outside of school since it's a very practical language to know. Trung
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Maycon’s Answer

Hi Benjamin! I was born and raised in Brazil, and Portuguese is my first language. I had the option to take Portuguese classes, but I realized that doing so would limit my ability to take other interesting courses or pursue a double major or a minor. So, I decided to take the placement test instead and skip the classes.

It sounds like you already know Spanish and are mainly hoping to improve your fluency. I'd encourage you to give the placement test a try and see where you land. That way, you can potentially spend your time on other opportunities, like an internship, a part-time job, or other classes that interest you.
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Leah’s Answer

Hi Benjamin,

If you speak Spanish, I suggest giving the test a try. While it might seem more challenging than just speaking the language, it can really pay off. When I tested out of some Spanish classes in college, it was tough but worth it. If you can skip the lower-level classes and jump straight to AP courses, it could really boost your GPA.

Learning Spanish is a fantastic skill, especially in Texas. I hope this helps, and I wish you the best of luck!

Leah
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much! Benjamin
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Itai’s Answer

Yes, it's worth thinking about. If you're good enough in Spanish to pass a credit-by-exam test, it can be beneficial, especially with how your school calculates class weights. Spanish 1-3 are regular classes, while Spanish 4-5 are AP classes. Testing out of the lower levels lets you jump to the AP classes, which helps maintain your weighted GPA and still gives you language credit.

However, it depends on what you want. If you're good at learning languages and want to keep improving, you might still take some classes to build your skills. Knowing more than one language is valuable, and in Texas, Spanish can be especially useful for school and work.

If your main aim is to protect your GPA and make room for other academic or extracurricular activities, testing out of the regular classes and going straight to AP Spanish is a smart choice. You avoid classes that might lower your weighted GPA while still earning credits that colleges will notice.
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