AP's in college admissions

<p>How much do AP exams count toward college admissions, as in number taken, scores, etc.? I know AP classes are in your favor but what about AP tests? Thanks for any input.</p>

<p>Yeah, I would really like to know also! ^^ I don't particularily want to spend 9402048274 hours studying for and stressing about the AP Physics exam if it doesn't matter that much in college admissions.</p>

<p>I really don't think that AP scores have a significant impact on an applicant's chances at the top schools. Over the past few years at my school, the students who applied to top schools without taking any AP exams (they did take the classes) were just a successful as those who applied with scores. However, many of the students who applied without scores took a number of AP exams at the end of senior year for credit and placement.</p>

<p>in all honesty, it think that doing well on the exams is only for your own benefit. colleges want to see that you took the class, but beyond that they don't care how you do on the exam, bc/ if you do well it means that htey have to give you credit for it, and thats less money in their own pocket.</p>

<p>"So what effect can these AP or IB scores have on your application? A big one."</p>

<p>"Even if the student's AI placed him in the academic 5 or 6 category, the officer would probably boost the academic rating to a 7 because of excellent AP scores."</p>

<p>"All the more impressive, then, to see a string of high IB/AP scores."</p>

<p>"...if the student didn't seem to be that exceptional academically, a number of high AP scores could suddenly change the picture dramatically."</p>

<p>-A Is for Admission by Michele Hernandez</p>

<p>I think the last quote in slipstream99's post hits on it.</p>

<p>Like the other standardized tests, the AP tests are another factor to consider, only they compensate for lower class grades in a more direct manner. </p>

<p>If you get a C in AP Biology but pull a 5, I think it might clue in the admissions officer that you're in a class with an unfair teacher or insane competition.</p>

<p>By the way, if you do not own that book, consider purchasing it. It is quite useful.</p>

<p>"If you get a C in AP Biology but pull a 5, I think it might clue in the admissions officer that you're in a class with an unfair teacher or insane competition."</p>

<p>I'm really not sure if I agree with that. I know several people who get poor grades in classes only because they are lazy and don't hand in assignments on time and whatnot, but pull it together and do well on APs. I don't think a high score on one test should make up for a year's worth of slacking off; or also high grades all year shouldn't be hurt by a low AP score that could be the result of a bad day or whatever.</p>

<p>"I don't think a high score on one test should make up for a year's worth of slacking off; or also high grades all year shouldn't be hurt by a low AP score that could be the result of a bad day or whatever."</p>

<p>I think the test should count more. The whole point of the AP exams are to give credit of a college-level course to a student that has mastered the course, thus not having to take the course in college. The test proves that you can handle the work. In college, all that REALLY matters is the final exam and the midterms. In AP classes, you get too much fluff stuff, such as homework, which could tilt your grade up. If you get high grades in an AP class, you shouldn't have any problems with the AP exams. If you were sick: you shouldn't have taken the exam, or take it again next year.</p>

<p>AP Tests count A LOT, i heard
read the hernandez book
It's like a standardized test, just like SAT IIs, and adcoms can see how well u will handle in their college courses
they basically compare the student with everyone else
even if it's not "officially" calculated, like the SAT IIs, it gives the adcoms an impression, u know..?</p>

<p>I didn't realize this until JUnior, but according to my counselor and GC, they say AP test has an effect on how the colleges looks at your AP classes. Lets say you get an A in...AP CHem..however, you get a 2 or 3, dats not good. The colleges will think your schools AP classes are weak. also, definitely has an effect on your admission chances but not as much as SAT scores.</p>

<p>xgreenmachinex,</p>

<p>I think it's wholly more impressive to slack off all year and get a 5 than to work diligently and get a 3.</p>

<p>The AP test is standardized and graded on a curve. It truly shows your abilities in a certain subject area, where as class grades are not at all standardized and differ from teacher to teacher in terms of how well they reflect your knowledge.</p>

<p>is there any way to keep colleges you apply to from finding out certain AP scores you got (i know sometimes CB extorts $$ for things like this), or is it inevitable that they see them all?</p>

<p>"I think it's wholly more impressive to slack off all year and get a 5 than to work diligently and get a 3."</p>

<p>I totally agree.</p>

<p>I believe that a high AP score adds some luster to your college application. Why do you think that the common application asks for AP test scores? Harvard even acknowledges that they believe that AP test scores are one of the best indicators of college success.</p>

<p>bump to gloaming's question. ex: i'm taking ap music theory, incredibly difficult, and theres only so much "studying" you can do as a lot of it is comprised of listening. I'm betting I'll get a 2 or 3, (and I got a 5 on Euro, it's not like I don't take these tests seriously). Not to mention this was the first year the class was offered at my school and the teacher, a wonderful man who made this class a musical experience I will never forget, didn't quite have his act together in terms of preparing us for the A.P. I'd rather not take it, but that doesn't seem like an option. Do I HAVE to send in this test score with my application? Does this fall under the same category as SATs where there's no score choice? Thanks, Dani</p>

<p>bump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>

<p>as a lot of others have said... 5's are impressive, a string of them even moreso... they're like sat II's they say they're for placement... but ahem... they could count as much as the sat I's themselves...</p>

<p>What I have heard is that if youre scores are good, it can only help increase the chance of you getting into a particular college, but if it is bad, all it means is that you may not be able to skip it once you get to college.</p>

<p>-hope that helps</p>

<p>Would everyone say a 4 is good enough to be considered a positive factor, cause im not feeling to hot about ap ushistory right now</p>

<p>Thanks guys. What I wanted to know is if you HAVE to send every score, or if you can choose which scores to send. Ex: If I have a 5, a 4 and a 2 or 3. Can I choose to ONLY send the 5 and 4 when APPLYING to college. I realize that an AP score can work in your favor, what I don't want is for my AP music theory or AP language score to work AGAINST me if I don't do so well.</p>