AP Scores: To Report or Not to Report to Elite Colleges?

Advanced Placement season is approaching and students are doing their best to earn a 5 on the exam. But what if you earn less than a 5? Should you report them to elite colleges like Yale and Stanford?

Do AP Scores Matter? 

Generally speaking, your AP score is not a deal breaker for whether you get admitted into a college or not. However, if you have a low score like a 1 or a 2, this can be a red flag to highly selective colleges. If you have a low score on the AP exam and a great grade in the course, this shows colleges that your school inflates grades. In those cases, it is better NOT to submit your scores, especially if you are applying for a test-optional institution. However, the fact that you are taking an AP course in the first place is important for showing colleges you have a rigorous schedule. If you want to be competitive for a selective institution, you want to make sure your schedule shows that you are challenging yourself academically and this often means taking multiple AP and/or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. Additionally, you could potentially earn college credit and/or skip a prerequisite college course with your AP score. Many of our students at SK Education enter as sophomores into college because they take advantage of the AP courses their high schools have to offer.  

Submit Top Scores

We recommend applicants report top scores (5s) because AP scores can differentiate applicants in the highly competitive college admissions process. Submitting top scores shows institutions that learning comes easy, which is exactly what admissions officers love. 

What if My School Doesn’t Offer AP Courses?

Even if your school doesn’t offer an AP curriculum, you can still sign up to take the AP test. You can either ask your school to order the test or enroll in another service (like an after-school course or independent school) that can administer the test.

Does Being an AP Scholar Increase My Chances of College Admission?

The AP Scholar program is an honorary awards system meaning students who earn certain scores on particular AP exams may earn AP distinction. Many students earn AP Scholar status for earning 3+ on three exams. These awards are quite common and are not going to make a great difference in your chances of college admission since institutions will already know your AP scores if you choose to report them. 

If you are wondering whether or not you should enroll in an AP course for next year or want guidance on how to make your academic portfolio show academic rigor, feel free to reach out to us at SK Education.

Key Takeaways

• Colleges generally ask students to self-report their AP scores.
• Submit your scores if you have top scores and do not submit them if they are below a 3. 
• Taking AP courses shows you are dedicated to challenging yourself academically.
• You may earn college credit and waive a course’s prerequisite if you earn a high score on your AP exam.