<p>So in May of my junior year, I took 6 AP exams, worked my *** off for them, and got 6 5's. Now, I was pretty ecstatic to find out that my hard work had paid off, but now I've heard people say that AP scores don't really matter that much. Instead, it is way more important for you to take AP courses and show that you have a rigorous course load than to get high scores on AP exams.</p>
<p>This is pretty disheartening, because I feel that all that hard work was nothing but a waste of time.</p>
<p>Could somebody kindly explain what really is the case?</p>
<p>Also, I'm an international student, in case that makes a difference.</p>
<p>In Ms. Applebomb’s AP class, everyone gets an A, and everyone is happy… until they take the AP exam and they all fail.</p>
<p>AP classes aren’t standardized. Some classes suck, some classes are rigorous, some teachers are jokes, some don’t teach the right material—the AP exam is standardized. The only way a college knows you actually learned the material is the AP score, how the hell would they know the AP class is actually rigorous? It just shows up like any other course on your transcript. How do they know a 95 in Mr. Lee’s class is really good? How do they know a 85 in Mr. Smith’s means something? How do they know? They don’t. There’s grade inflation everywhere.</p>
<p>AP test scores are very important for the reason that they are standardized. Everyone takes the same test.</p>
<p>If you have a 100 in an AP class but you got a 1 on the test…</p>
<p>I completely agree with Bassir. AP scores are very important and some, if not most, schools will allow you to self-report your scores. If you self-studied an AP class and got a five, it shows self-motivated learning. </p>
<p>But yes, AP classes aren’t standardized as Bassir mentioned (everyone in AP Stats is getting a 100 since the teacher gets her materials from an online site… which the students also have the answers to) so the AP exams are there to check.</p>
<p>Or, your teacher sucks crap and has a reputation for getting 1’s and 2’s. You tried. It’s not your fault.</p>
<p>IMO, it really does not matter at all. They always claim they are looking for the best in every pool (most rigorous schedule). I think this is why SAT IIs are required and not AP exams – the AP might not be your fault because your teacher sucks, but the SAT II is because you chose it. I believe the impact of AP exams is definitely minimal.</p>
<p>And to address Mr. Lee and Mr. Smiths’ classes, that’s why ranking exists. You’re valedictorian; you get a B in math. Salutatorian does too. Everyone got the B – but the ranking remains the same. They can still differentiate between who is good and who isn’t.</p>
<p>The truth is, colleges do not really care what you got on your AP tests. However, those who do better on AP tests likely do better on other standardized tests.</p>
<p>Don’t listen to your friends. They are just talking stuff they know nothing about.</p>
<p>AP scores are the MOST IMPORTANT THING!!! Getting 6 5s is very impressive and takes lots of work. The scores are important because you get credit for each test you took if the college offers it. That means you’ll probably end up graduating college in 2-3 years instead of 4.</p>
<p>^^Not really. Some colleges accept AP credits as elective credits. Other colleges won’t accept AP credits as part of graduation requirements. And there are some where AP classes/exams will not be relevant for your major. </p>
<p>Of course getting 6 5’s is impressive to college and those scores are expressed as one of the AP Scholar Awards, but it only adds to your academic recognition, which doesn’t weigh as much as SAT/ACT scores and academic rigor in high school classes taken.</p>
<p>I asked Sally Rubenstone recently about her thoughts on this. What she said in a nutshell was:
Basically they’re not super important in general, but when it comes to applying to top schools, every little detail counts. They’re not going to really hurt you, unless you do badly in the subject of your intended major. However, good scores can show how smart you are. AP scores can definitely be tiebreakers, also.</p>
<p>I only took the AP tests in the classes that I could and that I was interested in, namely AP Physics C Mechanics, E&M, and Calc BC. Those happen to be the only classes that get any credit at the schools I am applying to.</p>
<p>I think that it matters most, that you were taking challenging courses, and that you are pursuing your interests.</p>
<p>Those who bash AP courses are generally those who took creampuff APs. Every APUSH survivor I know, regardless of their score, winces at the mention of the acronym. Those who’ve scored a 5 on the AP Language exam are an elite 7%, and AP Sciences are even more rigorous than their IB counterparts. I believe in AP exams because without the test, I put myself through a dozen hells for no reason.
Look at it like this. If you’re offered AP credit for your score on an exam, you can pat yourself on the back. If you end up attending one of the top schools that are stingy with credit, you can still pat yourself on the back because you’re in for a few easy As in classes you’ve already learned material for.</p>