<p>Okay so I have always loved Biology and thought I would take a major related to biological sciences. However, I got my lowest AP Score, a 3, in that class. I got a 720 on the SAT II for Biology E. I know a 720 isn't amazing but shouldn't that put me in the 4-5 range? I did poorly on the AP Biology exam because I didn't know it would be SO different from the old format and everything I studied was useless since the exam didn't test what I learnt all year. I also assumed the curve would be lenient but looking at score distribution it was very harsh compared to previous years...</p>
<p>Anyway the question is, do you think admissions people would maybe understand and give more consideration to my SAT II Score?</p>
<p>The two exams are now very different, so you can expect to not have a similar performance on both, unless you’re just extremely skilled at taking a test with either format. The subject tests have a bigger role in admission purposes. The AP scores are used more for obtaining college credit. If it makes you feel any better, I was at the top of my class and got a 770 on the Biology E subject test. I thought I did well on the exam save for 2 or 3 FRQs. I got a 3, one of my lowest AP exam scores.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help. That actually did make me feel better 
that exam was ridiculous</p>
<p>You’re not obliged to report AP scores on your college application. In any case, the reporting is informal – i.e. self reporting. If you’re applying to selective colleges, I wouldn’t report AP scores below 4.</p>
<p>If you don’t report or cancel your score won’t they assume you failed the AP exam? I am applying to some selective universities but wouldn’t it be better to tell them about the 3 rather than letting them assume something worse?</p>
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<p>No. I agree with fogcity. Just report 4s and 5s.<br>
My Dd took AP calc in HS and didn’t take the AP exam. She didn’t feel she would use it for college credit, had enough AP tests under her belt, and basically didn’t feel like it. Her HS didn’t care, and she had excellent admissions results.
Colleges won’t assume you did worse than a 3 if your grade in the class is high.
"Most schools don’t use APs test scores in admissions decisions, " is what we heard over and over from various counselors over the years. On the other hand SATIIs are usually weighted similarly to the SAT in their decision making.</p>
<p>Hmm ok I think I will consider it. But without the AP Biology score I would only have 4 scores to report (not counting senior APs), isn’t that too little?</p>