Opting to enroll in any high school Advanced Placement (AP) course requires incredible determination, intelligence, and personal drive. Of course, the rigors of these classes arrive with their own rewards. Students who earn a passing score on an AP exam can earn college credit, saving students and their families thousands of dollars on future tuition costs. However, will your AP exam scores even count? Unfortunately, if your school fails to abide by the testing guidelines set forth by the College Board, your AP exam scores may be canceled.
Strict AP Testing Procedures
As the College Board articulates, every public and private school student opting to participate in AP exam(s) must adhere to specific and strict testing guidelines. AP administrators demand that "all students are given the same opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and to prevent any student from gaining an unfair advantage over another because of testing irregularities or improper conduct."
The full scope of exam procedures are outlined in the College Board manual for teachers and students, but specific violations include:
Students taking an AP exam after the original date of administration
Students taking an AP exam at a different time of day than is mandated
Teachers "interviewing" students for test information after a student finishes his or her AP test (teachers can then use this information to unjustly provide their own students with advantages in the future)
AP teachers looking at the actual test questions, answers, and/or processing any unauthorized test materials
These guidelines, along with a list of other specific instructions, must be followed in order for students to receive validated and approved scores. If any breach of security occurs during an AP test, single students, specific groups, or entire communities of testers may receive nullified test score results - which means their passing test scores cannot be applied towards college credit!
This video explains how to take AP exams in spring of 2020.
Combating New Methods of Cheating
The College Board is constantly working to eliminate unethical cheating. Recently, students were caught texting AP test answers to friends in different time zones. Subsequently, the College Board now requires that every AP exam (for each subject area) is completed by students at the exact same time, regardless of one's time zone. This requirement was instated in order to prevent "time-zone cheating." In other words, if students are taking their AP Literature exam at 12:00 pm EST, every student taking the same AP Literature test in a western time zone must take their exam on the same day at 9 am PST.
In addition, all students taking AP tests are required to sign a statement that contractually obligates them to report any misconduct to the Office of Testing Integrity.
This video looks at possible ways people can cheat on AP tests.
Students with Canceled AP Test Scores
While incidents of canceled scores are rare, any improper conduct is followed up with extreme consequences. Specifically, as the OC Register reveals, 690 AP exam scores were thrown out after the College Board received several reports of testing misconduct. Taken by Trabuco Hills High School students in Mission Viejo, California, 690 AP tests were unapproved due to testing errors and staff violations of security protocols, which reportedly included:
Groups of students were caught cheating
The school did not meet the requirements for proctor-to-student ratios
The school did not enforce proper seating arrangements (i.e. the desks were too close together or faced other students)
The use of cell phones/text messages occurred during testing
This video explains what happens when AP test scores are canceled.
Cheating continues to grow prevalent in today's public schools, and AP exams are no exception. However, by ensuring that your school follows the College Board's strict guidelines, you can increase your chances of taking an AP exam that will be considered legitimate.
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FAQs
Unfortunately, if your school fails to abide by the testing guidelines set forth by the College Board, your AP exam scores may be canceled. As the College Board articulates, every public and private school student opting to participate in AP exam(s) must adhere to specific and strict testing guidelines.
What happens if your AP score is cancelled? ›
Once a score is canceled, it can't be reinstated. There's no fee for this service, but your exam fee is not refunded. Archived scores cannot be canceled.
What happens if your AP test gets invalidated? ›
Invalid Scores.
We may cancel your scores and/or take any of the other Measures described above if after following the procedures set forth in this section, we determine, in our sole discretion, that there is substantial evidence that your scores are invalid (“Invalid Scores”).
Do wrong answers count against you on AP exams? ›
Total scores on the multiple-choice section are based on the number of questions answered correctly. Points are not deducted for incorrect answers and no points are awarded for unanswered questions.
What happens if you fail an AP class but pass the test? ›
Some schools might allow failed grades to be changed on a transcript with a passing AP score, but these policies vary from school to school. However, a passing AP exam will allow you to earn college credit regardless of what your grade in the class is.
What is the difference between cancel and withhold AP scores? ›
Students may choose to withhold an AP score if they question their performance on the exam or want to view it before their college does. Unlike canceling a score, withholding does not permanently delete that score.
Will colleges rescind for bad AP scores? ›
While it's understandable that you might be worried about your AP scores, the good news is that colleges won't rescind admissions offers based on your AP exam performance.
Do colleges see failed AP tests? ›
But it's not the end of the world if you don't pass. Your class grade won't be affected, and colleges will still be impressed that you took an AP course. Colleges won't see your scores, if you don't report them. So, even if you are unsure if you'll pass, it's a good idea to opt to take an AP course.
Do AP tests penalize guessing? ›
If you do find yourself having to guess, remember that there's no penalty for wrong answers on AP exams, so it's better to guess than to leave a question blank. A good strategy is to eliminate as many incorrect answers as you can, and then guess from the remaining options.
How do you get your AP exam Rescored? ›
Instructions
- Download and fill out the AP Multiple-Choice Rescore Service Form. Fill out the form with your information, including which exams you want to request the multiple-choice rescore service for, and sign it. ...
- Provide your credit card information on the form. ...
- Send the form to AP Services.
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.
Is it bad if I get a 2 on my AP exam? ›
Students who earn AP scores of 2 are well prepared to succeed in introductory college coursework. Compared to academically similar college peers who did not take the AP course, AP students who earn scores of 2 perform as well or better when they take those introductory college courses.
Should I report failed AP exams? ›
AP scores have very, very little impact on college admissions, especially if the exam has nothing to do with your major. If you don't report, they probably won't really notice. They can't assume you failed, as maybe you never took the exam in the first place. They care more about your grade in the class.
What is the most failed AP exam? ›
At many high schools, AP Physics is notorious for its difficulty level. In addition, it has the lowest overall pass rate of any AP exam.
Is a 1 on an AP exam bad? ›
Since a 1 is the lowest score that you can get on an AP® exam, this is not desirable. Thankfully, not many students leave the exam with a 1 unless complications arise during the test and they need to leave, or they are just trying to take the exam without knowing any of the material.
Can you get a zero on an AP exam? ›
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!
Do you get refunded for cancelled AP exams? ›
Any late fees that were submitted will be forfeited. Exams cancelled after March 1 or examinees who no show on exam day are not eligible for a refund. Credit or debit card processing fees are non-refundable.
How long does it take for College Board to cancel AP scores? ›
Your cancellation request will be processed within 15 business days of receipt. Please allow for delays, especially if you are mailing from overseas. Once processed, you will see the cancellation reflected on your online AP score report.
What happens if you get a bad AP score? ›
But it's not the end of the world if you don't pass. Your class grade won't be affected, and colleges will still be impressed that you took an AP course. Colleges won't see your scores, if you don't report them. So, even if you are unsure if you'll pass, it's a good idea to opt to take an AP course.
Why does the College Board cancel scores? ›
College Board will automatically cancel your exam score if you are discovered disclosing through any means the following: multiple-choice content for any exam (this content is never released and may therefore never be discussed) free-response content from an alternate (late-testing) exam.
