How much do AP Test scores matter to colleges?

My list:
UCLA/SD/Irvine
UDub
Babson College
Boston College
Bentley University
NYU LSP
Boston University
USC
UIUC
Few Canadian School(the ones in the top 40)
No “real” top 10 schools.

I have gotten 3s on most my AP Tests and even a couple 2s. I got a couple 4s as well.

UC’s do not consider AP test scores in their admission decisions. What is important is your HS course rigor in taking these courses and getting good grades. AP test scores will be used to determine college credit.

@Gumbymom What about for USC and other schools? i don’t want my AP test scores to ruin my chances of getting in. People told me if I don’t send them in colleges may wonder why I took the class but didn’t send in the score.

It is a difficult decision since I agree that if you take an AP test and do not report, then many schools assume you did not do well on them. I would have self-reported all 3 and higher AP test scores for like USC and if they wanted your official AP test scores, they would request a copy. As always, it far more important to get a good grade in the AP course itself but doing well in the class but not on the AP test could also indicate grade inflation.

Since you submitted your applications already, there is nothing you can do at this point.

@Gumbymom Will they have any real impact on my decision though? I submitted everything other than my AP World test. Some say AP Scores have little to no effect on decision, and won’t effect if you get in or not, while others say they are really important and can alter weather you get in or not.

Most schools do not even give credit AP World, so I really think it will have no impact on your decisions.

@Gumbymom So in general AP tests don’t really have any impact on decisions- atleast not enough to effect weather I get in or not?

There is some disagreement among the elite schools if AP scores have an impact, but in general it should affect your chances. Again not an Ad com, so cannot say for sure.

This is a difficult question.
It doesn’t seem fair to give too much weight to a test which lasts a few hours…
On the other hand, the AP classes at my kids’ school are run at the college level and are all incredibly difficult to get an A.
B’s and B+'s are considered quite good and most of those kids get 4’s but usually 5’s on the AP tests.
Contrast this with another school my daughter’s friends go to where many, if not most, get A’s but the large majority end up with 2’s and 3’s on the AP tests.
In fact the teacher is thrilled with the 3’s.
It is frustrating because although I feel that our kids are being very well educated, it doesn’t make any sense that there are cut-offs for awards and merit aid based on unweighted and even weighted GPA, with no consideration given to the school context in most cases.

Sorry Typo “should not affect your chances”. Sorry missed the editing time since I was multitasking…

@Gumbymom good thing i am not applying to the top elite schools then, thanks.