Should I report an AP score of 3? — College-Matters (2024)

FAQs

Should I report an AP score of 3? — College-Matters? ›

The first thing that you should do is check the AP Score credit policy for the colleges that you are applying to. If they will give you credit for the 3, then by all means report it! On the other hand, if they only give credit for a 5 on that exam (not even for a 4), you may want to hold off.

A score of 3 on an AP exam is considered passing, and while it may not be the most impressive score, it won't necessarily harm your application either. Colleges, especially selective ones, primarily focus on the rigor of the courses you've taken and the grades you earned throughout high school.

Although the College Board reports all AP test results to us, students should be aware AP test scores lower than 3 will not adversely affect their chances for admission.

Advisors recommend sending only high AP scores, especially those most relevant to your major. AP score reports include scores from all AP exams a student has taken in the last four years, except for withheld or canceled scores. Colleges typically maintain AP-optional policies.

Usually, a 70 to 75 percent out of 100 translates to a 5. However, there are some exams that are exceptions to this rule of thumb. The AP Grades that are reported to students, high schools, colleges, and universities in July are on AP's five-point scale: 5: Extremely well qualified.

If you have consistently high grades but low test scores, this can indicate to colleges that there's grade inflation at your high school. However, because you're probably going to self-report your AP scores anyway, there's nothing wrong with simply not reporting one or two scores you're not satisfied with.

Almost all schools won't require official score reports until you are accepted and committed to attend. Self-reporting your scores is usually optional, but if you scored well on AP exams, it's a great way to show off a little extra for any colleges you are applying to!

I would say don't submit if you get a 3 or lower. Only because the UCs are VERY competitive and you will be competing with thousands of kids who got 4s and 5s on that exam. Esp because they are test optional and in some schools a 3 will not give you credit for college English.

SHOULD YOU SELF-REPORT YOUR AP TESTS? You don't submit official AP score reports in the admissions process, so if you've earned impressive scores (4 or higher) on them, you should consider self-reporting them.

Simply leaving an exam blank or providing incorrect answers would usually result in a score of 1, not 0. If you follow the testing rules and attempt to answer the questions, you shouldn't need to worry about receiving a 0. Best of luck on your AP exams!

Should I submit a 3 AP score to UCLA? ›

UCLA awards college credit for AP exams with scores of three or higher.

Be sure to read what the colleges you're interested in are saying about AP scores on a school-by-school basis. For applications, I suggest self-reporting all fours and fives on your applications. Some colleges do use them to evaluate your applications and they can benefit your app for some college.

Colleges will not look at your score

You will not be required to send your AP score to your colleges unless you want to earn college credit.

In some cases, colleges may take AP scores into account when awarding course credit or determining class placement, but it's highly unlikely that they'd rescind your acceptance based on a low AP score alone.

Colleges and universities use AP exam scores as a factor in the admissions process, but they do so while considering them alongside the student's GPA, extracurricular activities, and other application information. Said differently, AP exam scores are just one factor in making admissions decisions.

AP Exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5. Many U.S. colleges grant credit and/or advanced placement (that means they let you skip the equivalent course once you get to college) for scores of 3 and above.

Colleges are generally looking for a 4 (“well-qualified”) or 5 (“extremely qualified”) on the AP exam, but some may grant credit for a 3 (“qualified”). These scores mean you have proven yourself capable of doing the work in an introductory-level college course.

I would say don't submit if you get a 3 or lower. Only because the UCs are VERY competitive and you will be competing with thousands of kids who got 4s and 5s on that exam. Esp because they are test optional and in some schools a 3 will not give you credit for college English.

Sending your AP exam score to colleges is optional.

If your exam score is eligible for credit, self-report it on the college application and send the official report through the CollegeBoard. Never report or send an exam score of a 1 or 2. They are not considered “passing” scores.