What are the downsides of doing poorly on an AP test after self studying?

[Anonymous]

My 8th grader is signed up to take the CSA exam on the make up day (May 22).

This is something he initiated. I have no idea if he'll actually do well on the exam, although he's a kid who usually tests well.

If he gets a poor score, is this something colleges will see? Or can he just study more and then retake it at some point before applications?

[Anonymous]

None, just lost the test fee.

[Anonymous]

How does an 8th grader even know about AP tests?

[Anonymous]

It’s a hassle to exclude the score when sending scores to college. You pay a fee and fax a form—for whatever reason we couldn’t manage it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a hassle to exclude the score when sending scores to college. You pay a fee and fax a form—for whatever reason we couldn’t manage it.

But you don’t need to send official scores until you’ve been admitted and have enrolled, so there’s still no real downside other than not getting any credit for that exam. When applying, AP scores are, at all colleges I can think of, self report if the student even wants to mention them.

[Anonymous]

Has he taken an AP practice test? I do y think there is much upside to him doing this, TBH.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, do not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a hassle to exclude the score when sending scores to college. You pay a fee and fax a form—for whatever reason we couldn’t manage it.

But you don’t need to send official scores until you’ve been admitted and have enrolled, so there’s still no real downside other than not getting any credit for that exam. When applying, AP scores are, at all colleges I can think of, self report if the student even wants to mention them.

You are right that you do t have to, But many (most?) kids applying to competitive schools submit them when applying.

[Anonymous]

He can cancel the test in I think June if he thinks he did poorly...but he has to do it before knowing the score.

There is no benefit to scoring high on tests at an early age...so there is little bang for the buck to trying to take it on your own in 8th grade vs. taking in HS. If he is truly doing well on the practice AP tests, then he should be able to do well on the actual test.

All I can think is make him sit for a full practice test and then you do the scoring. Of course, if you aren't a CS person you can only score the multiple choice questions vs. the freeform coding questions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a hassle to exclude the score when sending scores to college. You pay a fee and fax a form—for whatever reason we couldn’t manage it.

But you don’t need to send official scores until you’ve been admitted and have enrolled, so there’s still no real downside other than not getting any credit for that exam. When applying, AP scores are, at all colleges I can think of, self report if the student even wants to mention them.

You are right that you don't have to, But many (most?) kids applying to competitive schools submit them when applying.

You self-report the scores on the common app, then submit the report once to the college you attend, after the senior year scores are in. Colleges know it is unfair to ask families to pay and then pay again after senior tests. If you self report and lie, it is grounds for expulsion. When you self report, you agree to submit scores later, if you chose to enroll. Most colleges let you chose whether you use the AP credit or use it for course advancement, and then there are rules that are used by the college on how the AP gets listed on the college transcript (typically it is only listed if it counts for credit and there will be a college course # attached, even though sometimes this is not a real college course, just a place holder "Math 99 Calculus BC credit" , or the like.
You list AP courses taken (and all other high school courses taken) and then list scores that have already come in. You also list AP courses that you will be taking senior year.
There is no need to list any 8th grade courses, so just leave it off. If he does well, there may be some way to add it, but as it is an 8th grade score it may not move the needle. Furthermore, it is so far away from college it may not be able to be used for credit. It could be used for advancement, skipping the intro course, at some schools but not all.

[Anonymous]

I don't see any upside to him taking the test now, unless he is certain he will get a 5.

My concern would be that once he applies to colleges (3+ years from now), policies may have shifted at some schools to require *all* AP scores.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does an 8th grader even know about AP tests?

Older sibling

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does an 8th grader even know about AP tests?

Older sibling

There is no upside to this, none whatsoever.

Have him take practice tests for entertainment, if he wants. But it's absurd for him to take the actual test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't see any upside to him taking the test now, unless he is certain he will get a 5.

My concern would be that once he applies to colleges (3+ years from now), policies may have shifted at some schools to require *all* AP scores.

He's hoping to use it to advocate for skipping some of the earlier CS courses in high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't see any upside to him taking the test now, unless he is certain he will get a 5.

My concern would be that once he applies to colleges (3+ years from now), policies may have shifted at some schools to require *all* AP scores.

He's hoping to use it to advocate for skipping some of the earlier CS courses in high school.

Possible he would get burned on that yes. In fact I think Georgetown and maybe CMU already require this. Are you even sure his school would let him skip some of the earlier CS classes? Our MCPS HS (non-magnet) would not allow this even though the course catalog does not list AP CSP as a pre-req for anything.