AP exams - how does score affect college admissions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Slight veer off topic.

The honors reporting is interesting. So for a college that is test blind like UCLA, you can still report NMS Commended and AP Scholar with distinction as honors. Does the DCUM hive mind agree with me that that would be helpful in a test blind world or are they not looking at these too? I realize no one here “knows”

They are only blind to SAT and ACT.

“Other academic indicators will continue to be assessed in the review process, including grades, the rigor of a student's courses, other non-required tests (SAT subject test, AP tests, IB test, etc.), and a student’s individual academic context.”

https://admissions.berkeley.edu/freshman-policy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The test scores don't matter for college acceptance. The test scores are only used, if you choose to submit, towards possible college credit. Most scores need to be 4 or 5 some will take a 3. You can look up on apcollegeboard to see what AP score a college will accept for what college course. Taking the class & the grade in the class are reviewed for rigor for college application.

So two separate things. The class/grade and; the test score. You can take the class without the test or the test can be taken without the class.

That's a misconception. The score DOES matter, because with grade inflation and pandemic cuts in instruction, colleges cannot be sure that the grade truly reflects mastery. I know some AP teachers in MCPS who significantly dumbed down their curriculum these past few years, and some who continued to hold their students to high standards. APs, like the SAT or ACT, are standardized, and therefore an excellent measure of a student's knowledge and understanding.

So if a significant number of students do not report their test scores, not reporting would be "neutral". However, there is a definite bump in academic strength if the student reports all 5s on AP exams. It proves mastery, and it's proof stronger than grades.

This is your theory, but do you have any evidence that any colleges use AP scores this way?

https://admissions.berkeley.edu/freshman-policy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The test scores don't matter for college acceptance. The test scores are only used, if you choose to submit, towards possible college credit. Most scores need to be 4 or 5 some will take a 3. You can look up on apcollegeboard to see what AP score a college will accept for what college course. Taking the class & the grade in the class are reviewed for rigor for college application.

So two separate things. The class/grade and; the test score. You can take the class without the test or the test can be taken without the class.

That's a misconception. The score DOES matter, because with grade inflation and pandemic cuts in instruction, colleges cannot be sure that the grade truly reflects mastery. I know some AP teachers in MCPS who significantly dumbed down their curriculum these past few years, and some who continued to hold their students to high standards. APs, like the SAT or ACT, are standardized, and therefore an excellent measure of a student's knowledge and understanding.

So if a significant number of students do not report their test scores, not reporting would be "neutral". However, there is a definite bump in academic strength if the student reports all 5s on AP exams. It proves mastery, and it's proof stronger than grades.

There's no place on the common app to report an AP score. However, Colleges know the AP classes you took in HS and likely expect you to have taken the associated AP exam. If you don't report one of the following honors related to AP, they know you didn't do well..

Award

AP Scholar - Granted to students who receive scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP Exams.

AP Scholar with Honor - Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

AP Scholar with Distinction - Granted to students who receive an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

This is wrong. Under “Testing” on the Common App, there is a tab for “AP Subject Tests.” You enter each test and self report the score.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP scores go a long way in validating the grade in the class. A "3" on the AP test and an "A" in the class -- that's doesn't look good. Mostly, that doesn't look good for the school, their class grade distributions may be suspect.

I agree with this but it’s so tough. My A student got a three last year in a subject she’s really strong in. I think it was a combination of test nerves and pandemic year making things all a little weird.

Meanwhile it really boils down to the teacher. For AP Calc at our HS, the teachers have it down to a science. They drill the kids with test prep throughout the year. Finish teaching the material about 1 month before the actual AP test, so they can spend that month with test prep. But it works. My kid got a 5 last year and I'm expecting another 5. Yet interestingly, the teacher doesn't curve the grade for the class and there is no HW grade; the grade is all quizzes and tests (in AP format). My kid with a 3.99 UW gpa earned a B- first semester and will get the same this semester. Ultimately (after transcript goes to her college since AP results don't come until July), a 4 or 5 on the AP test will raise my kid's grade a full letter grade.

This AP teacher is known for EVERYONE getting a 4/5 on the test, with about 80% of both AB and BC students earning 5s. In the last 7 years, only 1 student has gotten a 3 or lower (it was a 3). Kids know the material. just wish the regular grade was updated with a curve to reflect this before July

However, in other courses (AP Chem/Physics/Comp Sci, etc), those teachers were teaching new material 5-7 days ago. So not drilling practice tests nearly as much. For those I don't think it's 80% earning a 5, but there are normally at least 85-90% earning 4s or 5s.

If I were you, you should still be thrilled your student took the AP course, even if they earned a 3. That same course will now be MUCH MUCH easier when they take it again in College.

Is this MCPS? I’ve never heard of the grade being based on the actual exam.

My kid got their only B on their report card this year in Calc AB. But ended up.with a 5 on the AP test.

We are at FCPS. The AP score did not bump.their grade up, but the final exam, which was given more than a month before school ended resembled tge AP exam, which was translated to an equivalent of a 5, which contributed to their final grade. The actual exam had no relation to their grade.

[Anonymous]

But sufficient AP scores at LOTS of other schools, such as Virginia Tech, can make students eligible for college credit.

I recently heard an VT AO say they won't be accepting as many AP credits in the near future. I understand this as colleges lose money via AP credits and many professors complain AP students lack the necessary knowledge for higher level classes (this of course depends on the subject but is tossed around generally).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you submit scores after acceptance/ enrollment in a university?

yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP scores go a long way in validating the grade in the class. A "3" on the AP test and an "A" in the class -- that's doesn't look good. Mostly, that doesn't look good for the school, their class grade distributions may be suspect.

I agree with this but it’s so tough. My A student got a three last year in a subject she’s really strong in. I think it was a combination of test nerves and pandemic year making things all a little weird.

Meanwhile it really boils down to the teacher. For AP Calc at our HS, the teachers have it down to a science. They drill the kids with test prep throughout the year. Finish teaching the material about 1 month before the actual AP test, so they can spend that month with test prep. But it works. My kid got a 5 last year and I'm expecting another 5. Yet interestingly, the teacher doesn't curve the grade for the class and there is no HW grade; the grade is all quizzes and tests (in AP format). My kid with a 3.99 UW gpa earned a B- first semester and will get the same this semester. Ultimately (after transcript goes to her college since AP results don't come until July), a 4 or 5 on the AP test will raise my kid's grade a full letter grade.

This AP teacher is known for EVERYONE getting a 4/5 on the test, with about 80% of both AB and BC students earning 5s. In the last 7 years, only 1 student has gotten a 3 or lower (it was a 3). Kids know the material. just wish the regular grade was updated with a curve to reflect this before July

However, in other courses (AP Chem/Physics/Comp Sci, etc), those teachers were teaching new material 5-7 days ago. So not drilling practice tests nearly as much. For those I don't think it's 80% earning a 5, but there are normally at least 85-90% earning 4s or 5s.

If I were you, you should still be thrilled your student took the AP course, even if they earned a 3. That same course will now be MUCH MUCH easier when they take it again in College.

Is this MCPS? I’ve never heard of the grade being based on the actual exam.

Not MCPS. Out of the area. The grade is only raised the equivalent of 1 letter grade (ie you can go from a C to a B and a B- to an A-) if you earn a 5 on the AP test. Which is fair IMO If you earn a 5 on the actual AP test then you have learned the material and will get college credit. In reality it doesn't matter for seniors. But as a junior my kid got an A- raised to an A on their transcript. Which was good as the A- was 92.98% and a 93.00 would have been an A, and that was AP calc ab, and kid went onto get a 5 on the BC (despite B- on transcript). So my kid knows the material when it mattered, and didn't even study for the AP test, just took it.

[Anonymous]

DCPS pays for all students in AP classes to take the exam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP scores go a long way in validating the grade in the class. A "3" on the AP test and an "A" in the class -- that's doesn't look good. Mostly, that doesn't look good for the school, their class grade distributions may be suspect.

I agree with this but it’s so tough. My A student got a three last year in a subject she’s really strong in. I think it was a combination of test nerves and pandemic year making things all a little weird.

Meanwhile it really boils down to the teacher. For AP Calc at our HS, the teachers have it down to a science. They drill the kids with test prep throughout the year. Finish teaching the material about 1 month before the actual AP test, so they can spend that month with test prep. But it works. My kid got a 5 last year and I'm expecting another 5. Yet interestingly, the teacher doesn't curve the grade for the class and there is no HW grade; the grade is all quizzes and tests (in AP format). My kid with a 3.99 UW gpa earned a B- first semester and will get the same this semester. Ultimately (after transcript goes to her college since AP results don't come until July), a 4 or 5 on the AP test will raise my kid's grade a full letter grade.

This AP teacher is known for EVERYONE getting a 4/5 on the test, with about 80% of both AB and BC students earning 5s. In the last 7 years, only 1 student has gotten a 3 or lower (it was a 3). Kids know the material. just wish the regular grade was updated with a curve to reflect this before July

However, in other courses (AP Chem/Physics/Comp Sci, etc), those teachers were teaching new material 5-7 days ago. So not drilling practice tests nearly as much. For those I don't think it's 80% earning a 5, but there are normally at least 85-90% earning 4s or 5s.

If I were you, you should still be thrilled your student took the AP course, even if they earned a 3. That same course will now be MUCH MUCH easier when they take it again in College.

Is this MCPS? I’ve never heard of the grade being based on the actual exam.

My kid got their only B on their report card this year in Calc AB. But ended up.with a 5 on the AP test.

We are at FCPS. The AP score did not bump.their grade up, but the final exam, which was given more than a month before school ended resembled tge AP exam, which was translated to an equivalent of a 5, which contributed to their final grade. The actual exam had no relation to their grade.

I've had HS kids in two different districts around the country, and both did "grade bumps" for 5s on the AP test. Both were a Single letter grade bump (C- to B-, B to A, A- to A, etc.) So very similar, except the teacher waited for the results of AP testing---works well for anyone except seniors, and really the final grade doesn't matter for a senior as long as it's a C or better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AP scores go a long way in validating the grade in the class. A "3" on the AP test and an "A" in the class -- that's doesn't look good. Mostly, that doesn't look good for the school, their class grade distributions may be suspect.

I agree with this but it’s so tough. My A student got a three last year in a subject she’s really strong in. I think it was a combination of test nerves and pandemic year making things all a little weird.

Meanwhile it really boils down to the teacher. For AP Calc at our HS, the teachers have it down to a science. They drill the kids with test prep throughout the year. Finish teaching the material about 1 month before the actual AP test, so they can spend that month with test prep. But it works. My kid got a 5 last year and I'm expecting another 5. Yet interestingly, the teacher doesn't curve the grade for the class and there is no HW grade; the grade is all quizzes and tests (in AP format). My kid with a 3.99 UW gpa earned a B- first semester and will get the same this semester. Ultimately (after transcript goes to her college since AP results don't come until July), a 4 or 5 on the AP test will raise my kid's grade a full letter grade.

This AP teacher is known for EVERYONE getting a 4/5 on the test, with about 80% of both AB and BC students earning 5s. In the last 7 years, only 1 student has gotten a 3 or lower (it was a 3). Kids know the material. just wish the regular grade was updated with a curve to reflect this before July

However, in other courses (AP Chem/Physics/Comp Sci, etc), those teachers were teaching new material 5-7 days ago. So not drilling practice tests nearly as much. For those I don't think it's 80% earning a 5, but there are normally at least 85-90% earning 4s or 5s.

If I were you, you should still be thrilled your student took the AP course, even if they earned a 3. That same course will now be MUCH MUCH easier when they take it again in College.

Is this MCPS? I’ve never heard of the grade being based on the actual exam.

My kid got their only B on their report card this year in Calc AB. But ended up.with a 5 on the AP test.

We are at FCPS. The AP score did not bump.their grade up, but the final exam, which was given more than a month before school ended resembled tge AP exam, which was translated to an equivalent of a 5, which contributed to their final grade. The actual exam had no relation to their grade.

I've had HS kids in two different districts around the country, and both did "grade bumps" for 5s on the AP test. Both were a Single letter grade bump (C- to B-, B to A, A- to A, etc.) So very similar, except the teacher waited for the results of AP testing---works well for anyone except seniors, and really the final grade doesn't matter for a senior as long as it's a C or better.

How does that work? Report cards were finalized 3rd week in June. We got the teport card in the mail soon after that..AP.scores did not come out till July 5.

FCPS did do bumps for scoring advanced proficiency in SOLs..

Would have been grear for my kid to have gotten a grade bump with a 5 on the AP test.