Take AP Test?

Applying to College
1

I took AP Computer Science last year as a sophomore, but the teacher didn’t prepare us at all and 20 out of 27 people who took the AP Test got 1s. I also didn’t have the foresight to self study last year. Self studying now, 2 months before the AP will be extremely time consuming as a junior and I can reasonably expect to get at highest a 4, but more likely less. I am also taking 4 other AP Tests, so I don’t want to sacrifice those.

Do AP Tests really matter that much? According to the Stanford Admissions website, they don’t really care about the AP Test.

According to Stanford Admissions:

"We expect that these students have taken high school course loads of reasonable and appropriate challenge in the context of their schools.

As a result, we do not require students 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."

So should I take the AP Test?

2

Rice,
If studying for the AP CS test will be at the expense of your other 4 AP courses, which you may feel more ready for, don’t take it, especially if Stanford is your preferred school & they state that a well rounded curriculum is more important to them in the admissions process.

3

Don’t bother. Focus on the 4 you are taking now. Don’t list the 1 on your common application either though

4

Thanks so much guys!! Yeah, I’ll just focus on my 4 AP’s and perform well on them instead of spreading myself too thin.