My son, a sophomore had taken AP Physics 1 and WHAP. Though he scored an A in his AP classes ( Ofcourse with a curve for his AP Physics), he failed his AP Physics 1 exam ( just got a 2), and scored a 4 on his AP World history. So far he is in the top 7% in his school. When I did some research I found out that all of his AP scores would be sent as a bundle to the college he is applying for by the college board. My concern now is how much would the failed AP exam affect him getting the major he wants in UT Austin, University of Houston or Texas A &M. He wants to major in Biology or Chemistry. Also in the future if he is not confident about taking a particular AP exam is it better to avoid it or is it better to give it a try even if he ends up with fail score? TIA.
AP scores are self reported so he does not have to report the 2 for the AP Physics. AP score reports are sent to the school he will be eventually attending. No need to send them during the application process.
An A in the AP Physics class and a 2 on the AP exam could be a red flag. In all fairness, AP Physics is one of the toughest AP tests to get a good score.
AP scores are not sent to any colleges during the application process.
As gumbymom said, it is all self-reported. However, there is one possible case where that score could have been sent: if your son wrote the UT-Austin’s school code when filling out the AP answer sheet, then the score will unfortunately be sent to the school. Because sending AP scores costs I believe around $35 when self-reporting AFTER the AP exams and scores have come out, CollegeBoard grants students the opportunity to write in the college’s school code to which students want their AP scores to be sent for free BEFORE they take the AP exams. Regardless of the score, the student’s score is sent to that college for free if he/she writes in the college’s school code. Although it may save your money if you choose this option, it may also hurt you if the exam that you were confident about turns out poorly.
But even if he has sent it, don’t worry too much about it; colleges don’t look at AP scores that much (counts a lot less than SAT subject scores most of the times). I recommend him to take AP Physics C, which is a calculus-based AP Physics unlike AP Physics 1, which is algebra-based; if he scores better on AP Physics C, ADCOM will not care about AP Physics 1 score.
If he is a sophmore, he still has 2 more chances to retake.
Thanks for the responses. I don’t think he has mentioned the college code on that. He is too scared to take anymore Physics in his high school. For his upcoming junior year he is taking all APs. Chemistry, USHistory, Calc AB, Capstone, AP Spanish ( No Spanish family background), Environmental Science, English literature. I am just wondering if he needs to take the AP exam for all of these and end up with bad scores in some, or just take the AP exams only for the subjects he is confident with? As of now his GPA is 5.4/6 ( since his school has 4 GPA for regular courses, and 6 for pre AP and AP).
Since that 2 in his AP exam with A in his class is a big red flag, can I get some suggestions on what other factors might make that red flag look small or mask it in his applications so that he gets the major he wants? TIA
He could take the SAT II Physics Subject test to help override the AP test score.
Would SAT subject scores be automatically added to his collegeboard account like his SAT and AP scores or can we decide to send it based on his score? Incase he gets a bad score in his SAT subject for Physics 1, would it make the situation worse?
A SAT II subject test would be added to his College Board account. Depending upon the school and if Subject test is are required, he may not have to send it if he feels the score is too low. Several schools that require all SAT scores will allow score choice for the subject tests. Again, very dependent upon the school’s policy.
Thanks, I will try to find out from the school about their subject test scores policy.
7 AP’s as a junior seems excessive to me.
Yes, but in their school they either have regular subjects with 4 GPA, or AP s with 6 GPA. Since my son doesn’t want to go low on his GPA ( which might eventually not let him be in the top 7%), he has chosen all 7 APs. Even I am nervous about that! However, that seems to be the trend amongst his school students. I am actually confused- whether to suggest him to take couple of regular (4 GPA) and score good on all his subjects, or to take all AP s to show that he is challenging himself.
If he wants to major in Biology or Chemistry…he needs to tackle any Physics issues because they will revisit him in those two majors.
my D just sent her AP scores to the Syracuse where she is attending this fall. She told me according to the AP website, when you sent AP scores, all scores will be sent,but if you want to omit specific scores, you have to send a signed written consent and a score withholding fee. She was considering omitting both her english scores (3s), but since she is already admitted and enrolled, she just sent all of them. The fee was $15 for regular shipping, $25 if you wanted a rush order (except today, you could get a rush for the $15 fee)
He doesn’t need to guess about future AP exams. He can get an AP prep book and also do practice AP exams in each subject, so he has an idea of whether or not he should take the AP exam. If he gets a 3 or above on the practice exams after prep, he can take the exam. If not, he should skip it.
In terms of admissions, it’s normal to send in your AP scores after you’ve been admitted, and I suggest your son does that. In addition, as another person noted, you can pay a score withholding fee to have specific scores omitted, and if he’s concerned, he should do that.
6 GPA… lol that’s too much bonus.