Even if you're going to school for a degree, APs are frequently insufficient preparation. They're sufficient for "get rid of my liberal arts requirements", but

Even if you're going to school for a degree, APs are frequently insufficient preparation. They're sufficient for "get rid of my liberal arts requirements", but if you plan on taking a higher level course because you AP'd out of the prerequisite, you could have problems. A lot of classes in college build on their prerequisites, and assume you know them cold. If your only calculus experience is the practice tests out of the AP book, even if you got a 5, multi-variable will kick your butt. If your only economics knowledge comes from a Barrons AP review book, you'll be behind in your banking class. Passing the test is necessary, but not sufficient, proof that you learned the material. If your AP test wasn't backed up by a hard class, plan on studying extra your first semester.