Will one *eh* AP grade negatively impact my application?

Applying to College
1

<p>I got my AP scores back and they were bittersweet. Here are my scores are from sophomore/junior year. </p>

<p>Sophomore:
World History - 5 (Top 5.9%)</p>

<p>Junior:
Bio - 5 (Top 6.5%)
US History - 5 (Top 11%)
Physics B - 4 (NOT in top 14.3%)
English Lang and comp - 5 (Top 9.5%)</p>

<p>I want to major in biology or biochemistry. I did really well in my Physics B class (A+) and did okay on other physics standardized tests (780 on SAT 2 physics, 99 on the NYS physics regents) but I guess the AP didn't agree with me this year. </p>

<p>Will the 4 in Physics B make it look like my class grade is inflated or will my other standardized test grades show that the 2014 AP Physics B exam just wasn't "my test"? Should I even put the score on my CommonApp?</p>

<p>If it makes any difference, I took AP Bio in the morning and went straight to taking my Physics B AP test so fatigue was probably a big factor in my poor performance. Will colleges understand that I was exhausted and I'm actually better at physics than my AP score indicates?</p>

<p>I hate to sound annoying, but I've heard that many top colleges look down on 4s in AP exams with curves as big as AP Physics B's curve. </p>

<p>Thanks for any input.</p>

<p>P.S. I think it would look strange if I don't self-report my Physics B score because I took the AP Physics B course and my school makes us take the exam. </p>

2

<p>Colleges don’t even take AP scores into much, if any, consideration…</p>

3

<p>In a best case scenario, if you choose not to report the score, colleges would assume that received a score in the 1-4 range. If you do report the score, colleges will know that you received a 4.</p>

<h2>Report the score.</h2>

<p>On another note, I would caution against calling a 4 on any AP exam an “eh grade.” The vast majority of people consider 3+ a strong grade (as well as the vast majority of colleges), and calling your experience “bittersweet” sounds pretentious and condescending. Don’t be one of those kids who says “Dang, I got a 99 on that test.” It’s OK to be disappointed, but don’t exaggerate. You should be happy with your scores, and every college in the nation will be impressed, too.</p>

4

<p>A 4 is a perfectly fine score. Congratulations. Report the score and move forward.</p>