So I just took my first two AP tests: US History and Biology. I think APUSH went pretty well, and I believe I got a 4 or 5 on that. Bio, on the other hand, was easily the hardest test I have ever taken and I am expecting a 2 or 3.
If I got a 2 or 3, how badly would this AP score affect my admissions chances with competitive schools like Northeastern?
Aside from the APUSH and Bio:
1390 SAT Score (670 CR/W / 720 Math)
4.45 GPA
Club President of International Club
DECA State Qualifier - Financial Analysis and International Conference Ignite Academy
NHS Vice President
Started tutoring program that helps kids with homework after school
Taking 4 APs next year (Calc, Econ, Pysch, English)
Accepted to Bentley Wall Street 101 Summer Program
Run cross country, winter track, spring track
Launching tutoring business this summer
Public high school in MA (~1000 kids)
Getting a a few poor scores on the AP exam is acceptable. Colleges understand that life can get difficult and unusually circumstances can occur that would cause even the brightest kids to fail an AP exam.
Even if this may not be the case for you, colleges may assume so.
@DoctorMD Is a 1390 a good score? I am planning on retaking to try and raise my CR/W score, but if I can’t, would you say a 1390 on the new SAT is good?
I can’t speak for @Gumbymom , but I’m sure. However, this whole conversation is moot until July when you have actual scores. I’m sure there are more productive things that you could find to do.
If you think about all the students in all the HS…many of them may not take an AP until senior year…too late to include in admissions. Also many students don’t have that many AP tests to take.
Colleges emphasize grades most of all as that shows sustained studiousness.
@usualhopeful: You are correct that getting an A in the class but a low score on the AP exam could signal grade inflation, but AP test scores are self-reported so you do not need to report your low scores. Admissions will not see the AP test scores till the end of Senior year when admission decisions have been already made.
Also, there are many posts on here about schools that give As but the students get 1s as opposed to schools with lots of Bs and 4s and 5s. The consensus is that unless the school has developed an overall “reputation” with elite schools, you are always better off from admissions to get the A.
Well, I’d rather my child get the B and 4 (which she did) than the A and 1. I want my child prepared for college, not just get a high grade. Getting the college credit was another nice bonus - she entered with close to sophomore standing
Since the school my kid plans on attending will not give her credit for much if anything, I really do not care (and she has some 4s and 5).
In her high school AP results seem to depend on the teacher more than the student.
There are lots of independent variables, kid was not feeling well that day, hit the one area of AP Euro they never liked as the free response, some kids hear AP and get nervous, some kids take review courses that artificially inflate the grades since this is not based on how the teacher taught.
Finally, if my kid wants to be a math major, do I really care what she gets in AP Euro. There are many schools that have few APs so Top Tier kids have to take them even if there is no real interest because otherwise they are not considered to have a most rigorous.
APs are not considered (I highly doubt). Even though I have taken 4 APs I only took AP Bio (got a 4) and only sent that score. I still got accepted to 2 ivies and wait-listed at a few more. My friend didnt send any of his AP scores and he is enrolling into Princeton this fall.
@ucbalumnus Not necessarily (IMO). If the B happened because s teacher was super challenging and a tough grader who and taught excellent skills that is one thing. But if a bright student slacks off in class, doesn’t have an ability to write strong research papers etc.it may not bode well for college success even if he/she can “ace” one exam.
Still a 2 on an AP won’t impact college admissions in most cases (just won’t get credit for the course).
OP, on another thread, you said you’re interested in econ or finance. A not great score in bio will not be a showstopper.
It’s true you send AP scores to the school for possible college credit. but first you need to be admitted. When adcoms see them, of course they can consider them. They reflect more than just your class grade. In theory, they validate the class grade. And for some schools, not sending them can leave adcoms wondering why not. But this matters most in the area you think you plan to major in and depends on the particular colleges. I don’t now why folks confuse possible college credit with the view for admissions.
Here, the key phrases might be “not necessarily.” For a college class where the majority of the grade comes from the midterm(s)/final, the ability to cram for a 3 hour AP exam is not that different from cramming for a 3 hour final.
Of course, ideally, the student would have an A in the class and a 5 on the exam.
I believe the only consequences to getting a 2 on an AP exam is that you 1) Will not get credit/placement for that class in college. 2) It may impact any possible AP scholar awards - AP Scholar with Distinction.
AP exams scores are not required at any school that I know of.
