<p>Once you account for margin of error and standard deviation, a 4 is virtually indistinguishable from a 5. They both represent above average proficiency, and vary only slightly in degree.</p>
<p>Colleges, btw, care very little about your AP scores. Had you received a 1, it would have made very little difference (you could cancel it either way, and your college might look at that w/ some skepticism, but it would incur nary a significant effect).</p>
<p>If you have good math ECs and have demonstrated your ability elsewhere, a low score, and yes EVEN A HIGH SCORE LIKE A 4, will not have any detrimental effect.</p>