<p>On the Common Application, we self-report our AP scores. We also self-report our SATs and ACT scores. However, the colleges require us to send the SAT and ACT scores directly from the testing organization, but do not require us to send the AP scores directly from the testing organization. Since the colleges only use the actual ACT scores for placement in or out of coursework at the colleges, it stands to reason that the colleges only care to see the scores for that specific purpose at the time coursework is being selected in college -- well after one has been admitted, and only if one cares to seek exemption from a course requirement.</p>
<p>This raises the question:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>In light of the absence of any independent verification requirement, can and do applicants simply lie about their AP scores on the Common App?</p></li>
<li><p>Further, in light of the absence of any independent verification requirement, can and do applicants put down fictitious APs (including really hard ones) that they never took but for which they could have "self-studied" (so no need to have these even appear on the transcript)?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Am I missing something? Since colleges care about "rigor" and people on CC post multiple APs with "5"'s, where is the verification? Do colleges ever demand to see the AP test results and compare with the Common App before permitting actual enrollment? I know I must be missing something, as this seems a huge area, rife for potential gaming by the unscrupulous.</p>
<p>I have always been curious about this. I suppose it’s on the honor system. If the college ever found out that an applicant had lied I imagine huge consequences would follow suit.</p>
<p>The thing you are missing is that AP scores do not play a huge part in the admission picture. There are too many applicants that do not have access to AP classes at their schools or take them as seniors so the scores are not available when admission decisions are being made. The tests are not designed to be used for admission purposes. However, once you enroll in a school, students usually want to submit official AP score reports so that they can either get the credit or advanced placement. I doubt that they go through and check each person’s submitted APs against what they put on the application, but it would be very risky to lie. If you were found out, the school would have grounds to rescind the admission.</p>
<p>lying about AP scores is never a good things because colleges DO check and if you are caught making up a score, it could ruin pretty much everything.</p>
<p>From my understanding, they will request verification after being admitted and before enrolling. APs play a role in getting credit/skipping courses/getting into honors courses/getting into advanced courses, which is why they need to see them. I suppose you could dodge this by opting out of the process though. </p>
<p>As stated, AP Exams and AP scores do not play much of a role in admissions. More impressive is having the courses on your schedule and using them to inflate your GPA/rank.</p>
<p>They do not check for admission processes. Because it is self-reported and they largely do not use it in admissions. Once you are admitted and attending, it becomes important for credit placement. If they find out you didn’t score what you said you did, you would be expelled most likely.</p>
<p>Some people probably do lie, but let’s face it, if a school doesn’t ask for an official report with your application(I’m not sure of any schools that do), your AP scores are not going to be weighted that heavily or maybe not at all for admissions purposes.</p>
<p>My daughter applied to a CA state university in Cellular and Microbiology, which is an impacted major. As part of the supplemental requirements of the Biology Department for admission, they requested a copy of her official AP test scores before her application would be considered complete and eligible for review. </p>
<p>In general, I think a school will ask for AP test scores only after a student has been accepted. In the current extremely competitive situation in California state schools (UCs and CSUs) with many impacted programs and limits being placed on numbers of freshmen allowed to enroll (due to the state budget crisis), there may be more requests for AP test scores before decisions are made. The interesting thing about this is that it costs $15 per school to have College Board send the official scores to corroborate the self-reported scores. (This can add up if several schools request the scores!)</p>
<p>AP scores are often on the transcript and mentioned in recommendations in addition to being self reported on the application. If there’s a discrepancy, I think most admission officers would follow up.</p>
<p>At my school, an official score report is required to give an enrolling student credit for scores.</p>