Are AP exam scores factored into admission decision?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope. Not at all.

This blanket statement is false. We know that Emory wants AP scores if you don’t submit SAT scores. See 2023 Selingo interview. Sara Harberson talks about a candidate being rejected for having a 4 instead of a 5 on an exam. We know in Selingo’s book a 4 on AP Calc actually helped an applicant over the hump.

How would she know this?

Because she witnessed it as an admissions officer/dean.

[Anonymous]

The test scores may or may not get you out of a 1st year class but most of the sciences clssses will be retaken anyway! The scores won’t get you an admission.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do AP exam scores impact college admissions? I understand admission decisions take into account the specific AP course taken and the grade received as it is reflected on the HS transcript. I get that high AP exam scores can earn college credit after admission. But, do colleges also consider the actual AP exam score during admission decisions? If someone self-studies for an AP exam and scores a 5 without taking the course (which means, it is not listed on transcript), does the high score contribute to their admissions profile in any way? If AP exam scores are relevant, what is the best way to highlight them in a college application?

Here is a good article: https://www.compassprep.com/how-colleges-use-ap-scores/

Basically, if AP scores are self reported, colleges will factor them into the admissions decision.

[Anonymous]

I’ve heard more than one admissions officer say that they absolutely look at AP scores when a student applies test optional. With grade inflation lately, I wouldn’t be surprised if AP scores have become more relevant for everyone of late.

[Anonymous]

The individuals responding "No" to this question are delusional. Why WOULDN'T admissions consider them? I swear, this era of hiding your test results is really bizarre!

For most applicants, if you submit an application test optional, OF COURSE they don't think it's because you couldn't afford the ACT/SAT test registration fee, or that the available test center was too far from your home. They think you bombed the test.

Likewise, if you submit your grades and the submitted transcript shows all A grades in AP classes that have been grade-inflated into oblivion, but you don't disclose your AP test results, OF COURSE they don't think it's because you couldn't afford the test registration fees, or that you had to take care of your kid brother during the test window(s) in May, etc. They think you bombed the test(s).

And when it comes to the AP tests, electing not to report your scores is even more damning because it only takes a 75% or whatever to attain a 5 on these tests. What does it say about your A grades if your mastery of the subject matter cannot even satisfy a 75% threshold?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The individuals responding "No" to this question are delusional. Why WOULDN'T admissions consider them? I swear, this era of hiding your test results is really bizarre!

For most applicants, if you submit an application test optional, OF COURSE they don't think it's because you couldn't afford the ACT/SAT test registration fee, or that the available test center was too far from your home. They think you bombed the test.

Likewise, if you submit your grades and the submitted transcript shows all A grades in AP classes that have been grade-inflated into oblivion, but you don't disclose your AP test results, OF COURSE they don't think it's because you couldn't afford the test registration fees, or that you had to take care of your kid brother during the test window(s) in May, etc. They think you bombed the test(s).

And when it comes to the AP tests, electing not to report your scores is even more damning because it only takes a 75% or whatever to attain a 5 on these tests. What does it say about your A grades if your mastery of the subject matter cannot even satisfy a 75% threshold?

Obviously some students get straight 5s but many students get a mix of scores and are still well prepared for college. In fact, most colleges accept 4s and 5s for credit. So surely those schools value 4s as well.

[Anonymous]

Most of the kids are top private schools don’t take AP classes or sit for the tests. They do just fine for college admissions. As with everything, it will depend on context

[Anonymous]

To increase chances for merit aid, is it better to self report especially if scores are decent?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The individuals responding "No" to this question are delusional. Why WOULDN'T admissions consider them? I swear, this era of hiding your test results is really bizarre!

For most applicants, if you submit an application test optional, OF COURSE they don't think it's because you couldn't afford the ACT/SAT test registration fee, or that the available test center was too far from your home. They think you bombed the test.

Likewise, if you submit your grades and the submitted transcript shows all A grades in AP classes that have been grade-inflated into oblivion, but you don't disclose your AP test results, OF COURSE they don't think it's because you couldn't afford the test registration fees, or that you had to take care of your kid brother during the test window(s) in May, etc. They think you bombed the test(s).

And when it comes to the AP tests, electing not to report your scores is even more damning because it only takes a 75% or whatever to attain a 5 on these tests. What does it say about your A grades if your mastery of the subject matter cannot even satisfy a 75% threshold?

This 1000% Taking most or all APs as a junior and getting straight As doesn't mean much if you're not reporting the scores. This would be for top schools of course- assume most colleges don't care. But I do think it may have helped my kid into his T20 that he got four 5s and a 4 on his junior year APs - just anecdotally looking back at all the other factors among his peers at his large public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope. Not at all.

This blanket statement is false. We know that Emory wants AP scores if you don’t submit SAT scores. See 2023 Selingo interview. Sara Harberson talks about a candidate being rejected for having a 4 instead of a 5 on an exam. We know in Selingo’s book a 4 on AP Calc actually helped an applicant over the hump.

My DC was accepted at Emory TO with AP scores and AP Scholar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do AP exam scores impact college admissions? I understand admission decisions take into account the specific AP course taken and the grade received as it is reflected on the HS transcript. I get that high AP exam scores can earn college credit after admission. But, do colleges also consider the actual AP exam score during admission decisions? If someone self-studies for an AP exam and scores a 5 without taking the course (which means, it is not listed on transcript), does the high score contribute to their admissions profile in any way? If AP exam scores are relevant, what is the best way to highlight them in a college application?

Here is a good article: https://www.compassprep.com/how-colleges-use-ap-scores/

Basically, if AP scores are self reported, colleges will factor them into the admissions decision.*

*Unless they state that they do not consider them (e.g. https://www.wesleyan.edu/admission/apply/faq.html)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope. Not at all.

This blanket statement is false. We know that Emory wants AP scores if you don’t submit SAT scores. See 2023 Selingo interview. Sara Harberson talks about a candidate being rejected for having a 4 instead of a 5 on an exam. We know in Selingo’s book a 4 on AP Calc actually helped an applicant over the hump.

How would she know this?

Because she witnessed it as an admissions officer/dean.

Anything that happened regarding testing of any kind before the last few years is irrelevant. When did she last work in admissions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Nope. Not at all.

This blanket statement is false. We know that Emory wants AP scores if you don’t submit SAT scores. See 2023 Selingo interview. Sara Harberson talks about a candidate being rejected for having a 4 instead of a 5 on an exam. We know in Selingo’s book a 4 on AP Calc actually helped an applicant over the hump.

How would she know this?

Because she witnessed it as an admissions officer/dean.

Anything that happened regarding testing of any kind before the last few years is irrelevant. When did she last work in admissions?

10-12 yrs ago.

[Anonymous]

Considering that there is no single AP score policy and schools offer varying levels of transparency, this is a great question for your applicant kids to ask of schools via email or when they attend admissions sessions (assuming they’ve carefully read admissions sites first and not found answers.

[Anonymous]

I think it can raise a red flag if you take 12 APs and do not submit any scores.