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Do AP Test Scores Matter?

The answer to “Do AP test scores matter?” is a complicated one. The use of Advanced Placement courses and test scores continues to evolve. It’s important that you look at the specific policies of the colleges that interest you. While AP classes still signal academic rigor on a transcript, elite universities have scaled back their acceptance of AP test scores in exchange for college credit, to the point that they are rarely accepted. While AP test scores may not shorten your college career or save you tuition dollars, solid AP test scores can help improve your chances in the college admissions process!

Advanced Placement or Advanced Credit?

While many schools will not accept AP courses as college credit, high AP test scores might place you out of college course prerequisites. Remember that AP stands for Advanced Placement, after all! That is how the tests scores are most frequently beneficial. Many schools use a high AP test score (usually a 4 or 5) as a placement tool. So, while you might not receive course credit for AP Calculus BC, your 5 on the AP test might place you into Multivariable Calculus right away in college.

High School Rules

Whether your AP test scores matter to some extent hinges on how your high school treats your results. Many high schools require taking the AP test in order to pass the course. While colleges do not require you to report your results, some high schools include the standardized AP test scores on transcripts. At the other end of the spectrum are high schools who don’t care if you take the standardized test or not. Some high school teachers even recommend that you plan to skip the test if you are likely to score below the passing score of a 3.

If your AP test scores will end up on your school record, they matter! High aspirations for college need to be matched with high AP results. Top universities love to see that students not only pushed themselves by taking AP courses, but excelled. If you got a 4 or a 5, it reinforces that you are capable of a rigorous workload – you should send these high marks in even if your school doesn’t automatically report them to colleges! If you got a 1 or a 2 and this shows up on your transcript, it’s not a great endorsement of your academic ability. So, bottom line: It’s important to know the rules for your own school regarding AP test score reports.

Admissions Advantage – Part One

Taking AP courses is a way to show that you seek a challenge! AP courses are designed to require more reading, more homework, and more focus than traditional courses. Colleges notice when you maximize your educational opportunities. They’ll receive a report from your school indicating how many APs are offered— if any— as well as guidelines about how many APs you were eligible to take and when. If you’re aiming for competitive schools, they’ll want to see you take many of the possible AP courses. If you’re not taking advantage, admissions offices will know!

Admissions Advantage – Part Two

There’s a caveat. When you challenge yourself and load up on APs, colleges want to see that you rose to the challenge. You need to do well in these advanced class and on the standardized tests. APs that you take senior year, however, will occur after the admissions cycle. In this case, the test scores only matter if a.) your high school requires a certain score to pass the course, b.) you are seeking placement or credit.

Should You Self-Study?

Probably not. Eager high school students are sometimes tempted to stuff their summers and school breaks self-studying for courses not offered at their high schools. They hope to load up their applications with an eye-popping array of scores. This can be very impressive, but it is almost never an effective strategy overall! The truth is that it usually takes a significant time investment to self-study an entire AP curriculum, and all that time could be put to better use. Instead of cramming in another AP, you could be having a positive impact in your community, figuring out how to start a club at your high school, or researching how to get an internship, for example. At the end of the day, your scores will help you pass thresholds, but won’t make you stand out. Think wisely about how you spend your time outside of the classroom!

Homeschooler Results

A group that often does benefit from AP self-study is homeschoolers.  Homeschooled applicants often use strong AP test scores to demonstrate proficiency in a standardized context, as well as in-depth knowledge of traditional academic content. As an Admissions Reader, I saw applications from homeschoolers with a dozen or more AP test scores. If you are a nontraditional applicant, you may have a great deal of flexibility in how you use your time. A balanced plan that includes some additional standardized test scores will be important.

In an ideal world, you would take many AP courses because you want to learn as much as you can. You would excel in these classes and score 5s on the exams! Your efforts would impress colleges, who will note your intellectual curiosity! College credit or placement might be a nice bonus, but AP test scores have other advantages.