How AP Calculus score affects me

Applying to College
1

<p>Hi all, </p>

<p>So I just checked my AP Calculus BC Score, and both the BC and AB scores show a 4. Now, I was entirely convinced after the test that I would get a 5, and I had been looking at a high 5 on every single practice test I had taken, even the ones that I took before I had studied. Frankly, I have no idea what went wrong, because the test wasn't significantly more difficult than previous tests. </p>

<p>So my first question is, is there a method for verifying my scores? I really, really do not think I actually didn't get a 5 on the test. </p>

<p>Anyways, in case there isn't a good way to verify the score . . . what are my options? I've read around, and it seems that reporting AP scores is optional for colleges. The thing is, I was looking at Stanford, Caltech, and Berkeley . . . </p>

<p>I know I can cancel my current AP score, or just not report it. I also know that I can retake the AP test (which would then not be reported on the transcript) or I can take a community college class just for the college credit. My real question is, which will affect me more negatively for top-tier school engineering/science programs: not showing a score at all, or showing a 4? Before you tell me that "a four is fine," I have to point out that I need to be realistic; a score that isn't a 5 automatically falls in the bottom 50 percentile of test-takers, which to me at least, looks really, really bad. </p>

<p>In fact, let's continue to be realistic. Is it not totally possible that either option more or less disqualifies me from these programs?</p>

2

<p>A four isn’t bad. Although not a boost like a 5 would be, it won’ t hurt you.</p>

3

<p>Stanford apparently thinks that a 4 on BC is fine, as they they give you the same AP credit for a 4 as for a 5:</p>

<p>[AP</a> Credit Chart | Student Affairs](<a href=“http://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/registrar/students/ap-charts]AP”>http://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/registrar/students/ap-charts)</p>

4

<p>For ADMISSIONS though, how would it affect me? I’m not worried about credit.</p>

5

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</p>

<p>50% of the students at Caltech fall in the bottom 50% of students there. Does that look really bad for them?</p>

<p>As a mathematical person, you should understand that being in the bottom 50% of a smart pool does not mean you are not smart.</p>

6

<p>Remember that calculus BC test takers is a self-selected group of the top students in math, so being in the bottom half of that group is not a bad place to be.</p>

7

<p>This one score isn’t what will move you forward or hold you back.</p>

8

<p>But I’m pretty sure that almost every student at Caltech falls in the top 50% of a small Calculus test :confused: </p>

<p>I appreciate the kind words though, I really do.</p>

9

<p>Not just kind, truthful as well. A 4 in one AP, even at Caltech, even in Calc, is not going to change your acceptance decision.</p>