Low score vs. No score?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello everyone. I'm a junior and I signed up to self-study the AP comp sci exam. However, studying hasn't been going great, primarily due to other APs and a spring varsity sport. I'll more likely than not get a 3 or maybe even a 2. One of my top choices is Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science (for computational biology), so I was wondering if a 2 or a 3 would be worse than just canceling my score altogether. I am taking 3 other APs this year and 5 next year FWIW. Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>Why take it at all?</p>

3

<p>:/ Well, most colleges won’t give you credit for a 2. 3 would probably place you in a slightly higher level course. 4, 5 ideal for amount of credits and course placement.</p>

4

<p>^^It’s too late to cancel now.</p>

<p>^Thanks, though I should have stated that I meant this in terms of admission. Will they be less likely to admit me with a low APCS score than with none at all?</p>

5

<p>I would just not show up for the test. IMO, they’re more likely to admit you with no score than a low score. No score won’t hurt you, especially if your school doesn’t offer the course. I’d guess that plenty of kids get in without having taken that exam. A low score on the other hand quantifies that you don’t know much about computer science, which would look bad. Maybe consider taking a summer course or online class that you could do well in to demonstrate your interest in computer science?</p>

6

<p>Unless the college/university specifically requires that you self-report scores for all AP exams that you have attempted, you never have to let them know your scores. You just don’t self-report them. After you are admitted, and you get ready to enroll, you only need to have the CollegeBoard send the results that are meaningful to the college/university that you will be attending. For example if they only give credit/placement for a 5 and you have no scores of 5, you don’t have to send the scores at all.</p>

7

<p>Thank you for the replies. I will still take the test but I will not report the score if it’s a 3 or less. Best of luck to you all.</p>