AP Test Results and Sending scores to college

Hi everyone,

I took 5 AP tests this year and did well on most of them. I got 5s on all but one which I got a 3 on.

I’m looking to apply to many T10 schools. Do I have to self report this AP Score on the common app? I know that if I choose to enroll in that school, I send in the collegeboard report but I’m fine with doing that since I’d clearly already be accepted then. If I have to self report, will this affect admissions decisions? I know people say AP scores don’t affect admissions but a 3 does look pretty bad.

You can submit only the scores you want, unless they are schools that require you to submit all scores. That will Be research that you have to conduct. As far as a score not being reported, they may jump to the conclusion that you performed horribly (as in a 1 or 2) on the exam and didn’t want to report it for that reason. I would report all your scores. Clearly you are academically competent from your 5’s, they will just think you either had an off-testing day or had a horrible teacher for the course.

@Anonymous11P

Thanks for your reply! I will most likely report every single score but this bad one. Do you know of any top colleges, just off the top of your head, that require all AP tests to be self reported?

None. Zippidy-doo-dah.

Some might request e.g. Cornell: “AP and IB scores may not be used to fulfill SAT Subject Test requirements, but we do ask that you report them if taken.”
https://admissions.cornell.edu/standardized-testing-requirements

But none require.

@skieurope Thanks for the response!
Will it look bad if I only leave out one score, or do you think I should go ahead and report it?

I would report it. Its not bad and its just one.

We know someone who took three exams and received two 5’s (lang and comp, APUSH) and a 1 (chem). Horrible teacher for the chem and the school requires that you take the exam if you are enrolled in the class. Grade was an A so this is a bizarro outcome and a real potential blotch on an otherwise stellar academic record.

First choice school recommends but not requires that you self-report AP scores. The question is whether to self-report everything but the chem and risk them (correctly) assuming the score is pretty bad, reporting the 1 and taking the potential lump but showing complete forthrightness, or leaving off AP scores altogether. Thoughts?

No college requires AP scores for the purpose of determining admission; some consider them if submitted and if you want to include any with your application for admission, you only need to self-report the scores and report ones you want to report; official scores are not needed until after you are admitted and are seeking credit for the course. Also, colleges generally do not assume bad scores if you submit only some – that is a general rule for admissions evaluators; don’t guess at information not submitted because the answer could be innocent; e.g., the applicant may have not taken the AP test in that subject.

Nevertheless, you should be aware of the transcript issue. Many high schools put all your test scores on your official transcript provided to colleges. Thus, you need to check what your high school puts on the transcript.

Your choice. Personally, since it’s only one test with a 3, I would report it. If you had multiple 3’s or any 2’s or 1’s, I probably would not report it.

But as @drusba correctly points out, your HS may list all standardized test scores on the transcript.

Totally agree about checking to see what the high school submits on the transcript. One thing I do for each of my kids is go ahead and order a transcript sometime in sophomore year just to see what’s on there.

Probably also a good idea to check with the guidance counsellor to see information they submit to colleges in the GC evaluation (if one is required). Even if the form doesn’t specify or ask for AP scores it’s best to clarify that they won’t add that extra information.