<p>Okay, so I'm like totally freaking out. I've been doing horrible on my AP Spanish practice exams, and my teacher told me that a realistic goal would be a 3! So my question is that would getting a 3 on this exam, in spite of recieving 5's on all others (already have 5's on Chemisty and Psychology, and hopefully will have 5's on Statistics, Biology, and English Language this year), hurt my chances for Columbia?!? Thanks in advance for any input!</p>
<p>If you get a 3 on the exam, you don't have to put it down.</p>
<p>I put down the one 5 that I got, and left out the 4 and the 3.</p>
<p>So, no, it won't hurt your chances: unless you want it to.</p>
<p>Yeah, it's a surprisingly little known fact...after all that build-up, all that stress, all that freaking out, you eventually discover that schools don't even require your AP scores when you apply. </p>
<p>Not only that, schools almost never even put an "optional" space on the app to put in your AP scores (Columbia doesn't, I think I only ever saw one application that did) so if you don't report them it doesn't even look bad.</p>
<p>If you want to, of course, you can send them to the office of undergrad admissions through College Board--but that's something you do entirely on your own, not through the school's application.</p>
<p>First off, I took the AP Spanish V exam last year as a Junior, and I suck at Spanish. I'm decent at reading and writing, but the speaking and listening comprehension screwed me over. Basically, if you are strong in at least 2 of the 4 sections, you are good for a 4. Prove your teacher wrong and get a 4.</p>
<p>Anyway, that's right, you don't have to report your AP scores if you don't want to. Keep in mind if you want to tell them your AP scores except for Spanish, they may wonder why you took AP Spanish and didn't provide an AP score and you have scores for all your other APs.</p>
<p>That's exactly what I was thinking! So, assuming then that I do give them ALL my AP scores, you all are basically saying that the 3 would be really bad, right? :( I should have never taken that class!</p>
<p>anyone? :(</p>
<p>You did yourself a great service by taking AP Spanish.
Shows that you're willing to challenge yourself, and that you have a genuine interest in the Spanish language and its literature.</p>
<p>Not everyone who finishes an AP course chooses to take an AP test.
Don't worry about it.</p>
<p>Unfortunately in my school everyone who takes an AP course is required to take an exam as well. :(</p>
<p>They technically can't force you to take it if you go to a public school...</p>
<p>The scale for AP tests is pretty high as well...</p>
<p>But, still. Would one 3, considering the rest are all 5's, really look that bad? I want to major in engineering anyway, and my grades in math and science are pretty high. Would some stupid Spanish AP exam grade really ruin my chances at Columbia all that much? <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>3 is a passing grade.</p>
<p>Besides, the curve is so damn generous: it would be DIFFICULT for you to get a three. If you've been paying attention, working hard, and knowing what you're doing, then you should end up with a respectable score.</p>
<p>You're thinking worse case scenario, and it's far too early for you to be thinking like that.</p>
<p>Chill out, girl.</p>
<p>One 3 among multiple 5s is definitely NOT bad. It looks like you'll be AP Scholar with Distinction regardless of your Spanish score. </p>
<p>I took the AP Spanish exam last year and thought that I would get a 3 if I was very very lucky. I didn't finish the last two MC sections, nor did I finish writing the DBQ; my oral responses sucked for the most part. I ended up getting a 4 -- the curve is incredibly generous, so don't worry. I think you'll prove your teacher wrong and get at least a 4 :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the words of encouragement guys! I hope you all are right and I do end up proving my teacher wrong. :)</p>
<p>If you don't want the score reported, make sure your school doesn't include it somewhere on the transcript. A lot of schools do this.</p>
<p>I don't think it will make any difference for engineering. The College would be a different story.</p>
<p>Depending on what your particular strengths/weaknesses are in Spanish, maybe you could take the SATII in the subject, which would (hopefully) off-set the AP score.</p>
<p>Either way I wouldn't worry about it. Maybe it isn't even your fault--maybe the Spanish program in your school isn't as strong as the others.</p>
<p>Good luck on the test.</p>
<p>Ok thanks, I'll definitely keep that in mind.</p>