When colleges talk about standardized test scores, they typically focus on the SAT or ACT. But in addition to those scores, many colleges also consider the scores from AP Exams to gain an even stronger sense of a student’s academic preparation.
Without SAT subject tests, AP scores can matter more
Colleges especially welcome AP scores now that SAT Subject Tests are no longer offered. Subject Tests used to help you bolster your testing profile in your strongest subject areas. Without Subject Tests, colleges are leaning more on AP scores to fill that role in your application.
Submitting strong AP scores can also emphasize your academic strengths to a college—for example, a pre-med applicant who submits 4s or 5s in AP Chem and AP Bio is showing that they’re prepared for the rigorous science classes their major will require.
Do I really need to take AP Exams? Are the classes not enough?
Studying for AP Physics.
Taking AP classes (if your school offers them) shows colleges that you want to be challenged academically, and a strong class grade helps admissions officers see that you can handle the challenge.
Strong AP Exam scores serve to corroborate the course grades. Because AP scores are a standardized metric (like the SAT and ACT), they help admissions officers trust that your course grades have not been inflated by your school. This offers more confidence in both your transcript and your understanding of the course material.
Taking both AP classes and AP Exams can benefit you by:
Demonstrating your desire for academic challenge
Showing you can master college-level material
Providing an opportunity for college credit
Strong AP scores can help you now—and later
The majority of colleges award course credit for a score of 3 or above (out of 5) on AP Exams, while many highly selective colleges only award credit for 4s and 5s and/or limit the number of exams that qualify for credit.
Receiving college credit is one benefit which requires you to take the exam—and it’s a big benefit! It can help you access more advanced courses when you arrive on campus. It can also help you reduce the cost of college by fulfilling some of your graduation requirements before you even start.
Pro Tip: Juniors, don’t pay to send AP Exam scores to colleges!
Each year you take an AP Exam, the College Board offers you one free opportunity to send all of your AP Exam results (including those from prior years). You should use this free opportunity to send your scores to your chosen college after your senior year AP Exams. When you apply in the fall, colleges will accept self-reported scores in your application along with your report of which senior year exams you plan to take.
How can I best prepare for my AP Exams?
Preparing for AP Exams is very different than preparing for the SAT or ACT because AP Exams are course-specific. The best way to prepare for your exams is to continue working hard in your corresponding classes. When your teachers offer additional study opportunities, take them up on it.
Although you want to have strong scores on your AP Exams, it’s also important to finish your class well; and both of these objectives often go hand in hand. That said, if you don’t do well on the exam, you’re not required to send the score to colleges. Hopefully, regardless of your exam score, your transcript will show that you did well in the class over the entire year.
I hope you have a great finish to your year!
For extra support on your AP Exams this year, LogicPrep’s team of tutors can help! With wide experience across many AP subjects, we can help you finish your courses (and your exams) on the right note.