How Significant Are AP Exams?

Hundreds of thousands of high school students took the AP exams in 2022. Students' scores on these standardized tests, like every other piece of information provided with college applications, play a vital role in holistic admissions.

High results on exams related to AP classes taken in high school can be distinctive achievements to add to college applications for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. Many students make the error of failing to devote sufficient time to studying for AP examinations because they believe their teachers and classes will have adequately prepared them. Students often believe that if they do not receive a good mark on their AP exams, they will be unable to mention them on their college applications.

However, students should aim to do as well as possible on their AP exams, especially those that correspond with their intended major or field of study. While it is true that reporting AP scores is optional for most schools and that students should not report low scores, earning high AP exam scores can help a student craft a narrative around their interests and passions. For instance, for a student who wants to pursue the pre-med track at an elite institution, scores of 5s on AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Calculus BC would demonstrate the requisite preparation, work ethic, and quantitative ability necessary to succeed in college. On the other hand, if a student indicates that history is their first-choice major, but only scores 3s on AP World History and AP US History, admissions officers may question the student’s aptitude for that major, even if they have received good grades in the classes themselves.

In terms of Ivy League and Top 20 schools, even a 4 is a relatively low score to earn on an AP exam. It is routine for Ivy League admissions officers to review applications from students who have scored 5s on multiple AP tests. The percentages of students who score a 5 on each exam can range significantly; for example, on the 2021 AP English Literature exam, only the top 4.9% of test-takers scored a 5, but on exams such as AP Chinese Language & Culture, AP Calculus BC, and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, far more students demonstrated significant proficiency and earned a 5 (respectively, 57.2%, 38.3%, and 32.6% of students).

As such, students vying for admission to elite institutions should aim to score 5s on their AP exams to show that they are competitive in the context of the national pool of applicants. Like the SAT and ACT, the standardized nature of the AP program provides admissions officers with another lens through which to evaluate and compare students, enabling them to account for the vast differences between high school courses’ rigor, grading standards, and grade inflation or deflation policies. High scores will demonstrate great academic proficiency and preparation, while low or absent scores will unfortunately put a student at a disadvantage next to others and even undermine good grades.  

Students do not have to self-study for extra APs or take AP exams if AP courses are not offered at their high schools— colleges are looking to admit students who take advantage of all of the opportunities and resources available to them. If AP courses are not available at a student’s high school, a lack of AP courses and scores on their applications will not be held against them. While motivated students could hypothetically self-study for exams in their field of interest, it is often a much better use of time for these students to focus on performing well in their current classes. These students should devote any additional free time to developing projects and activities that are meaningful to them. Admissions officers would much prefer to see a student channel their academic passion into inventive research, community service initiatives, or other creative and original projects, than into independently studying for and taking standardized tests.  

To prepare for AP exams, students should take advantage of the resources offered by the College Board, including topic questions and unit guides. Students should take practice tests under timed conditions and score themselves to get used to the test’s format and determine which areas they still need to improve in. Study guides from third-party organizations (such as Barron’s, Princeton Review, REA) can also be useful for students as they address any gaps in their understanding of content, as well as pursuing private tutoring and attending office hours with teachers.

While AP exam scores are not the be-all-end-all of academic competitiveness, admissions officers do look at a student's scores to understand the actual rigor of their AP courses, see whether passion and ability in their intended field of study is conveyed through these scores, and compare one student's academic qualifications against another's. AP exams present a useful opportunity for high school students to demonstrate their academic preparation and talent. Success on these exams can help students in the long term, not only with putting together competitive college applications, but also with placement in college courses, earning college credit, and developing the skills needed to succeed in higher education in general.

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