If someone is not doing well in a class such as AP Chemistry but plan to pursue a field in bio, is it OK not to take the AP exam for fear of colleges seeing a failing score?
Or is it a better option to attempt it? Trying to reach for the top UC’s.
Thank you
Since you tagged UCLA and UCB, they do consider AP exam scores in their Freshman selection but the grade in the class is far more important. Other UC’s may start considering AP scores if reported on the UC application but reporting AP scores is not a requirement for the UC application. If you want credit, you will need to send an official score report once you enroll in a UC. Any score below 3 will not be looked at by the UC’s so it is up to you if you want to take the exam or not. I see no disadvantage in taking the exam but if you get a good score, it could help balance out a less than stellar grade.
Colleges won’t “see” an AP score unless you send it. And it likely means much less than the grade in the course, if anything.
Other than a potential refund, I see no reason not to take a test.
Do they see that an exam was taken (if you choose not to report)?
Thanks
Schools will only see all AP scores if you send in the official report. Most schools will allow to self report so you have the option of reporting all, some or none. You can always remove a score from the official report.