Out of all my AP scores, I’ve received a 5 on Human Geography, 4 on Calculus AB, 3 on English Language, and a 2 on both Physics 1 and Environmental Science.
I’m applying for UCLA, UC Berkeley, UCSD, UCI, USC, and possibly a few other private colleges. I don’t know if I should self-report the 2’s I received since I don’t know if they could hurt my chances for admission, especially since I plan to apply for engineering and failed two AP science tests.
I’ve heard that some colleges like to see that you attempt AP tests even if you fail them and that they don’t really matter that much for college applications anyway. However, I’ve also heard some people say that you shouldn’t self-report anything below a 4, so I’m not sure what I should do.
If it says AP on your transcript and you don’t report the scores, colleges will assume either 1) you didn’t take the test or 2) you didn’t pass. It’s really up to you to decide, but I would not report the 2’s because you won’t be getting any credit anyways.
I would absolutely not report the 2’s. I can’t see how an “attempted” 2 would help you, especially in science related AP’s given your plans to go into engineering. OK to report the other 3 AP scores or don’t report at all as I don’t think that will have a major impact on your admissions.
Or 3) financial circumstances prevented taking the exam.
Regardless, if the OP does not report the 2’s, and the AO assumes that the applicant failed, well, the AO would be correct. Personally, I’d let them assume whatever they want than report the 2’s, since then they would know the applicant failed the exam.
Check your transcript too, it was a surprise to me to see that these appeared on the second page of the kids’ transcript. So if you are going to go to pains to not report, just check that as I assume you can ask your school not to report scores. Has your ACT/SAT improved since July? your reaches won’t be helped by your AP scores. Hopefully, you have matches in your list.