I just got my AP Scores for this year today, and I had gotten 5’s on everything (english language, stats, calc bc, and micro/macro econ) except AP Government and Civics, in which I got a 3.
I am definitely not proud of getting this 3 and I would prefer that the college I am applying to not know about it. However, I read on some posts that not including my score on the common app would look really “fishy” since I took the AP government class in my school (and received an A) and that would show up on my transcript. Colleges will think something must have happened if I did well in the class but didn’t report my score. Others are telling me that it is better to not include the 3 at all because it would leave a bad impression.
Thus, what do you think is the best option for me? Should I report the 3 on my app or should I leave it out?
Thank you!
Note: I am not sure whether I should post this on the “college admissions” threads or the “test preparation” forum. Since I already took the tests, I just put it here
There is no right answer. If you have a string of 5s it will perhaps be noticeable that you didn’t report a score for a class. Having said that, if you have a substantial number of AP classes and don’t report scores for one class, they will probably suspect you didn’t do well on the test, and not care. Grades in the class are more important than test scores. I am guessing you are applying to top colleges. I would not include the three.
I have a daughter in a similar situation and she will likely not report a 3. Older daughter actually did not take the Gov AP test, although she took the class, so she had nothing to report. She had 5s in the other exams she took, and she reported those. It did not seem to harm her with admissions, but I guess there is no way to really know.
Fret not…colleges are much more concerned about your grades in those classes as opposed to the AP tests.
Why is that?
Doing well in a class shows you can learn over the year and work hard over a period of time. That is what they want in college.
Not all HS have many APs.
Many people take AP tests senior year which is too late for admissions
For example, Stanford says:
Students currently enrolled in AP courses are not required to submit AP scores as part of our admission process. AP scores that are reported are acknowledged but rarely play a significant role in the evaluation of an application. Grades earned over the course of a term, or a year, and evaluations from instructors who can comment on classroom engagement provide us with the most detailed insight into a student’s readiness for the academic rigors of Stanford. http://admission.stanford.edu/basics/selection/prepare.html
Where does this leave you?
It tells you that you cannot place out of those classes in college…you will need to take them in college like many many other people do.
My son went the other way and reported his 3 and still go into all of his colleges. AP test results are pretty far down the list of things that AO’s considers, so I wouldn’t sweat it either way, especially if you have done well in your classes and the required standardized tests.
I agree with BKSquared. First off, a score of 3 on an AP test is NOT a terrible score! It is an average score and not an academic “black eye” at all. Your other scores are fantastic. Reporting all of your scores shows that you are forthcoming and capable of handling a minor academic disappointment. Hiding things on your application is not the way to go. You already know this, which is why you posted the question.
@labegg - your post is very helpful and I’m glad things went so well for your DD in her application process. My DD took 10 APs between junior and senior year in high school and forgot to include them on her Common App when she applied to transfer to a new, and also very selective, college. She was contacted by its Director of Admissions and required to send a College Board certified pdf of her scores which were 8 scores of 5, 1 score of 4 and 1 of 3. She was admitted.
In my opinion, I think you should get your score deleted. If you’ve scored 5s in a bunch of other classes, and particularly if Gov isn’t aligned with your major (sometimes even if it is) colleges usually overlook it. There’s a wide variety of reasons why a student might not take a test (for example cost or because they don’t think it will be us useful for them because they have to repeat that class in college, etc). This is advice that my friend who is in the same boat as you got from our school counselor. In the end, one AP test is likely not going to be the sole deciding factor to you getting admitted or rejected to college.
A 3 is not bad at all so just send all of them, it’s not going to make a difference in admissions especially with your other scores. You could raise a flag if you reported all of them and not that, they may assume you got a 1 or 2. The scores are not as important as the grades, but if you have a bunch of 2s and 3s and A’s in the classes, adcoms will supsect grade inflation.
Students who take multiple APs don’t necessarily take all the corresponding exams, either due to time, exam overlap, or cost.
No one would expect you to take six AP exams the same year. Reporting four or five will be taken in stride.
My D16 got three college credits for her 3 in AP World History. Since some decent schools actually give credit for a 3, it seems unlikely that other schools are rejecting applicants due to a single score of 3.
@Coolest Asian - The Commona App asks you to list AP courses you have taken along with associated scores on those tests. A score of 3 on an AP test (that isn’t even related to your prospective major) won’t hurt your chances of gaining admission to a college. Lying on a college application, on the other hand, will definitely hurt you.
@aneesh17, AP scores are self reported and there is no requirement to send in official reports until after matriculation. Unfortunately it looks like the Common App site is closed until 8/1, so we can’t see the exact instructions. If the instructions are unambiguous that if you report one you have to report them all, then you have no choice. If I remember correctly, the instructions last year were a bit ambiguous. What is unambiguous is you have to list all classes taken and the record will also be in your high school report. Finally if you are listing an AP honor as an “honor/award”, the designation will have to be consistent with your scores. Like I said in the above posts, AP scores are pretty far down the list of things considered, and you have a bunch of other commentators who said it did not make a difference for their child. I would not stress out about this and focus your attention on things that matter more.
The advice provided above is quite divided, but to me the answer is clear: you should be forthcoming and honest on your college applications. Scores of “3” won’t hurt you. What matters is whether your AP scores are comparable to your course grades. There shouldn’t be significant disparities between them.
The AP program allows for score choice, even cancelling a test. In sophomore year, we had a teacher who didn’t follow the course curriculum, yet talked a bunch of the students into taking the test, including me. We all got 1s and 2s. I got a 2. The vice principal admitted the problem and I cancelled the score, as I’m the only one in the class aiming for the Ivies. As far as the College Board is concerned it doesn’t exist. If the Common App doesn’t specifically state this next year “Every single AP Score must be reported, even cancelled tests,” then am a being dishonest by not reporting my cancelled 2 test? My grades are As and Bs and junior year I took no AP tests, as I didn’t want the credit and I wanted to study for SAT Subject tests. So, my question is, if score choice and cancellations are OK with the College Board on AP tests, should the same be used by students on the Common App, even for selective colleges? I agree that 3s shouldn’t hurt students, but what advice should we give students with a 1 or 2, when score choice and cancellation is a sanctioned option from the College Board?
@ Ernest Schmidt - I’m confused by your use of the term “score choice” with reference to AP test results. Certainly students are free to cancel their AP scores if they want. But most students only take their AP tests once, which then leaves the student with the options of canceling, sharing or withholding scores. Is that what you mean by “score choice”? By contrast, many students take the SAT, ACT and Subject tests more than once, which is why “score choice” is a possibility, but only for students applying to some, not all, schools. When a student applies to a college/university that requires that all tests be submitted, I don’t see how a student can even contemplate withholding any test scores, including AP test scores, since that decision is incompatible with the college’s application requirements. In general, if a student has taken AP courses and received corresponding grades that are included in their transcript, why would they consider withholding their AP scores on the Common App? If an Ad Com discovers that information on a student’s application was deilberately withheld or misrepresented, then an acceptance can be rescinded. I don’t think scores of 3 or above on AP tests are a “deal breaker” in college admissions. One’s GPA matters much more in the admissions process - and should be consistent with AP test results. When course grades and AP scores diverge, however, that will signal to an Ad Com that there may be grade inflation in that high school.
