Do AP Test Scores Matter in College Admissions? What Students and Parents Should Know
- Michele Coleman
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
One of the most common questions I hear during this time of year, when so many students are preparing to take AP Tests, is:
Do AP test scores matter when applying to college?
The answer, like much in college admissions, is nuanced. Let’s break it down.
AP Courses vs. AP Test Scores: The Difference
First, it’s important to distinguish between taking an AP course and earning a score on the AP exam. Colleges place significant weight on whether students have challenged themselves with coursework. AP classes are one of the ways students can challenge themselves. When admissions officers review transcripts, they look closely at course rigor within the context of what’s offered at your school. AP test scores are a different story.
How Colleges Use AP Test Scores in Admissions
AP exam scores are not a primary factor in admissions decisions. Many colleges treat them as supplemental information, a nice bonus, but not a requirement. In fact, students are not even required to self-report their AP scores on applications, especially if they feel the scores don’t reflect their academic ability.
That said, there are a few ways AP scores can still matter:
AP scores can validate strong performance. A 4 or 5 on an AP exam can support high grades in the class and reinforce a student’s readiness for college-level work.
They might matter more at selective schools. While no school requires AP scores, highly selective colleges may give more weight to strong AP results when evaluating academic potential, particularly in STEM-heavy or competitive majors.
They can count towards college credit. While this doesn’t affect admissions, good AP scores can help students skip introductory college courses or graduate early. Policies vary by institution, so it’s worth checking each college’s AP credit policy.
They can be used for college placement, allowing students to skip a lower-level freshman class..
One important thing that high scores do is support possible success in an intended major. If you’re applying to a specialized program or under a specific major, you can demonstrate your level of knowledge in that field by submitting AP scores in the corresponding subject(s). For example, if you’re applying as a Math major, a 4 or 5 will help your application.
What if a student doesn’t report their scores?
Colleges understand that students might not always take the AP exam, due to illness, budget, or timing, or they may choose not to share scores if they don’t feel those results add to their application. That’s perfectly acceptable.
If I have scores and want to report them, what do I do?
Reporting your AP scores is entirely optional. If you feel they will help your application, there is a place where you can self-report your scores. You can also choose specifically which scores you wish to submit.
If you want to report AP scores, you should report tests on which you received a 4 or 5, and for many schools, you may also report a 3.
On the other hand, low AP scores (i.e., 1 or 2) can be a red flag to selective institutions. This is especially true if there’s inconsistency between your AP scores and your grades in AP classes. If you have consistently high grades but low test scores, this could indicate to colleges that there's possible grade inflation at your high school. Don’t report 1’s or 2’s.
Does being an AP Scholar help?
The AP Scholar program gives honorary awards (meaning there's no money involved) to students who receive certain scores on a specific number of exams. For instance, an AP Scholar means you received 3+ scores on three exams, a National AP Scholar means you received 4+ on eight or more exams.
These awards don’t make a difference in college admissions. Colleges will already have access to any scores that you report, so the information will not be new to them. The award is to recognize your hard work, but it doesn’t really help with admissions.
The Bottom Line for Students and Parents
Focus on doing well in AP courses. They demonstrate rigor and readiness, which is what colleges prioritize. Your AP exam scores are a plus, not a requirement. Share them if they help your story. Most importantly, don’t stress over a single low AP score; it won’t make or break an application.
Resource!
If you’d like to see what classes/scores specific colleges award credit for, use this link:
Contact me if you'd like any additional resources or need assistance with applications!
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