I took 8 AP exams (Physics, Bio, Chem, English, Am Hist, Eur Hist, US Gov and Calc)--it does vary a lot what different schools will do with them, but a good score looks good for competive admission, scholarships etc. I actually declined sophomore standing, but didn't regret taking the tests.
As to the language--are they actually requiring that for admission or to avoid taking language at the college level? My university required the equivalent of 2 college years in one language to graduate. I had taken 3 years of French in Jr High and wasn't even going to take the test because I intended to take other languages (I eventually took Latin, Hebrew, Sanskrit and Hindi) but my freshman roommate, who "summered in Paris" insisted I should take the test with him. It was hysterical, I went to the library the day before and studied grammar to try to revive my French I hadn't looked at in three years and tested out of the first two years and he, who actually spoke it quite well, only tested out of the first semester. It was very awkward for the rest of that year because he kept trying to speak to me in French and didn't believe me when I told him--truthfully--that I didn't know what he was talking about.:lol: