I am a sophomore taking three AP’s (first time even taking an AP), and I am worried when it comes down to AP examination time, I will get 3s and 4s but no 5s (even though i will study as hard as i can to get so). My question is, after reading some older discussions on CC about this (one like 6 years ago), how important are AP scores still today? I would like to go to Harvard, so will they require me to give them my AP scores on my transcript? On that post 6 years ago, I remember reading a reply that said that it is better to take tons of APs and get straight A’s in all of them, and just pass the AP exam and not worry too much about getting a five (because it will come up on the transcript for colleges as a 3+ (even if you get a 3, or a 5). Is this true? Because then it will take a lot of pressure off of me and every student out there in the world. This has really been bugging me and I am very worried. Thank you to any one that replies a thoughtful and helpful answer! I really appreciate you taking time out of your day to help someone from who knows where.
Ok, don’t have the mindset that you’re going to get 3’s and 4’s. Study hard for them and you will get 5’s.
Now, getting A’s is important, but it’s not everything. AP scores are used to gauge how rigorous your class was. If you got A+'s on your AP classes and then 1’s and 2’s on your AP tests, that’s a huge red flag and means that your class was easy.
If you get a 3 or a 4, it’s fine as you can attribute that to a bad day (which you can’t attribute to a 1 or 2).
AP scores can hurt you if you get all 1’s and 2’s, but they really can’t hurt you if you consistently get 3’s and 4’s as they are not a major part of the application process.
HOWEVER, you should aim for a 5 so that you can skip that class in college. By taking AP classes (and for top schools getting 5’s), you can place out of introductory courses which can lessen your stress quite a bit in college.
First of all, good for you for taking what appears to be a more challenging course load now. Why only 3 APs now? Does your school not allow more? Why no AP courses Freshman year?
Great schools want kids who take demanding courses, and do exceptionally well at them. And who test well.
Why are you so worried that you won’t get a top score on your AP? If you do well in your courses and learn the material, there is no reason to worry about how you will do on the actual AP test…
Harvard admits plenty of kids who get straight A’s, but “only” get a variety of 3’s, 4’s, and 5’s on their AP tests. They reject MORE students who get straight A’s and all 5’s on their AP tests.
Same for other tippy top schools.
What is far more important is you becoming an interesting person with a passion demonstrated through your ECs, who writes a compelling essay.
3 is the maximum in 10th grade, and no APs are allowed Freshman year.
A school as selective as Harvard may look at AP scores of 3s and 4s as a detriment, especially if you don’t have any other “hooks” or incredibly impressive ECs. As far as I know, AP scores aren’t automatically displayed on your transcript - you send them to the schools via the College Board’s website, and you can decide which scores to send (so if you bomb a few exams, you don’t have to send those scores - although this might look suspicious to them).
AP score reporting is optional on the application. You self report the scores; scores aren’t sent by college board until after you choose what school you’re attending). The scores carry little to no weight in college admissions and are used primarily for college credit and/or placement at the college you choose to attend.