So I’m a freshman taking AP Human Geography, and I just failed my AP exam. This was actually the third time I had to take it because with my horrible luck I experienced internet issues with both my first exam and as well as my makeup. You would think since I had already taken the exam twice I would have done better, but I just did worse. While my failing had somewhat to do with the fact that half of my exam covered a topic I had never seen before, what most hindered me from getting a high score was how I was extremely stressed and worried during the exam because I was scared that I would experience issues again. This was my last opportunity to take the exam this year; there are no more makeups. So, my stress and worry slightly acted almost like a mental block, and while I was able to answer questions, I wasn’t thinking and formulating answers to the best of my ability. So, my question is, will colleges look at lower AP scores this year less critically? Will they care as much? I know lots of schools don’t take AP scores into consideration in the first place, so my question is really focusing more on selective and t20 schools. As for my situation, how will a bad ap human geography score affect the possibility of me getting into some more selective schools? I know admission is based on so many more things and many schools don’t regard human geography as that important of a class, but I’m interested in studying social sciences and things like international relations, which makes human geo more important of a class.
AP scores are self reported in the common app. Don’t report the score when the time comes.
I agree not to report. Do be aware that when you are dealing with the most selective schools, all of these things can come into consideration. Not submitting some of your AP exams if most applicants send them all— well, these school hav3 to look where and how they can cull the crowd. So, yes, any and everything can count
I would say that usually a bad AP score could hurt you, but considering the AP situation this spring, it will be as unhurtful as it could be in that context.
Don’t report it and move on. Have a great application and essay. One AP class not reported will not be the reason you didn’t get accepted.
Reporting AP scores is optional. Simply leave yours off. Colleges won’t assume anything as far as this year’s scores go, because a lot of students opted out of taking them this year, and more opted out of makeup tests after they were unable to submit their work after the first exam.
AP HUGE probably wouldn’t have earned you credit at a lot of colleges anyway. So while I am very sorry to hear you experienced so much stress and frustration, if this had to happen, you’d want it to happen to AP HUGE over most other APs you will take later.
Not only optional, but at least some top schools don’t even look at them for admissions. As they told our info session, they are “placement” tests - used for freshman class credit/selection once admitted, but not for admissions.
So should I consider doing a retake if I am really unsatisfied with my score? I was hoping that an explanation to my score given this year’s circumstances would make admission officers at top schools be a little less stringent, but I am willing to retake if that isn’t the case.
Don’t retake, don’t submit the score, and don’t explain anything. AP HUGE freshman year during a pandemic will in no way make or break your chances with any colleges.
What should I say if asked why my score if missing when the class is on my transcript?
Also, what really worries me is that AP HUGE ties in with international relations, which I’m interested in majoring in.
What scores did you get? You’ve taken the Danged thing 3 times. I think you should move on and focus on your next courses and exams. This year is the Covid year and your chances are excellent that the scores will not be missed. You keep fooling around with this and it may stick out. I can tell you right out that taking an exam 4 times does not look good.
“It was freshman year in the middle of the pandemic and it didn’t work out well. I’m sorry. I’m happy to send you all of my 5’s on my APs from 10th and 11th grade which were taken under more normal academic circumstances.”
They won’t ask. Don’t make excuses. It happens. Move on. But remember, never make excuses. Even if you said “I did my best and it just didn’t work out the way I thought it would”. People get that. No one is looking for perfection. Worry about improving your application with positives. Everyone has failures and something we could of done better on. It’s part of life. If really needed your school advisor can write something as part of your profile. But if this is the only thing then move on.
So, if I make my application stand out in other ways this one score won’t likely have a large effect on my admission status to top schools in the future?
@annprep - this score will not be on your application if you don’t put it there. Learn from the experience - get a test prep book next time to be sure you are familiar with all the topics in case you didn’t have them in class, te as t your technology. Time to move on.