<p>How much emphasis is placed on AP scores? I took the most rigorous courseload (4 APs) last year, and got 4s in Calc AB, English Lit, and Statistics, and a 5 in Physics B (same syllabus as SAT II Physics). In my gap year, I'm taking Physics C (both parts), Econ (Macro and Micro) and Calc BC through Virtual High School. Compared to SAT IIs, how much impact do APs have on admissions.</p>
<p>as far as I know AP scores are the last thing they look at</p>
<p>yup..they don't really care that much about AP scores</p>
<p>I'm just curious - where are you guys getting your information? Perhaps you're right, but some things I've read, like "How to Get Into the Ivy League" by Chuck Hughes and "A is for Admission" by Michelle Hernandez, seem to indicate that AP scores are given significant weight.</p>
<p>lol.. or maybe this is all wishful thinking on my part...</p>
<p>I think they want to see that you took as many AP classes as possible to show that you challenged yourself, and managed to get the grades doing it. What score you actaully get on the AP exam probably matters more once you get in an are chooing what level classes to take.</p>
<p>Thats the most screwed up system ever...the APs test a year's work, while SAT IIs are just one hour tests that dont test in depth. This is sooo messed up...</p>
<p>any more comments?? is randomperson's statement only wishful thinking or do they play an important role in the admissions?</p>
<p>I'm sure that question has different answers for different universities. There is no way of generalizing it.</p>
<p>callthecops,</p>
<p>I disagree with randomperson's assessment, though one never really knows. Princeton and a number of other select schools ask for what AP classes you took and your score. The score confirms that not only did you get a good grade within your high school but that you did well compared to a number of students across the country. </p>
<p>I believe that Princeton would be suspect of a student who took an AP class, got a good grade on their transcript but did not take the test. The standardized score is used to validate or invalidate the grade. This is the advice given in the college application process books and it seems to make sense to me.</p>
<p>Regardless, good luck in the process.</p>
<p>I got in A in my AP Spanish class and a 2 on the test. All my other AP grades are 4s or 5s. I am afraid this one grade might make them think I didn;t deserve that A.</p>
<p>that will just mean that you have a weak spanish program at your school. foreign language ap test is nothing that you can really prep for yourself. apparently, your teacher thought you were performing well... but unfortuately to weak standards. i don't think you have to worry about the 2 ;)</p>
<p>they use the scores to see how well you actually know the material. If you got an A in the class but only managed a 2 or 3 on the ap exams, this means that either your grade is inflated or you just don't understand the material</p>
<p>I think for most top schools you won't be rejected for having some 3s, but having straight 5s is definitely a major plus (if you've taken at least 3 or 4 APs by junior year)</p>
<p>so technically, APs reflect better one's knowledge of a subject than anything else. Then why the f* should colleges care about a superficial one hour SAT II subject test? any thoughts?</p>
<p>Because numbers are physcological - a way to measure people's intelligence. I agree it's wrong and all that jazz, but think about it. If one person walks up to you and tells you he has a 2400 and another comes over and says he has a 1700, which are you going to automatically assume, if you don't know either, is the more intelligent? </p>
<p>Anyways - yes, all forms of education love tests...</p>
<p>Callthecops2,</p>
<p>They like the SAT IIs because they can require everyone to take it. They can not require everyone to take the AP test. This way they can get a comparison between students where with the AP they can not. I would suspect that a high AP score could make up for a low SAT score on the same subject . . . but what do I know.</p>
<p>hopefully...btw are 4s considered weak?</p>
<p>No - it's like a B+/A, 4 and 5 is like 30-36 on the ACT...</p>
<p>According to the CollegeBoard the breakdown is:</p>
<p>
[quote]
5 Extremely well qualified
4 Well qualified
3 Qualified
2 Possibly qualified
1 No recommendation
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Usually the statistical breakdown is that the top 10%-15% get a 5, the next 20%-25% receive a 4. The breakdown for the 2005 version of the US History test is here:</p>
<p>Considering that those taking the test are often in the upper portion of their class finishing in the top 30%-45% on one of these test is really pretty good.</p>
<p>I guess its good. On the lit exam this year, only 8.1% got 5, and I got a 4 which places me somewhere in between 78%ile and 92nd %ile. Thats a big gap though...</p>
<p>I noticed from the chances threads on CC that the kids with outstanding SATs usually get all 5s or only a few 4s, and those who are kinda in the 1400-1500 range (old SAT) get a mixture of 4s and 5s, or mostly 4s. Is this a true trend?</p>