How Much Do AP classes matter to colleges?

1. Earn College Credit. Some colleges will give you college credit if you score well on an AP exam. These AP credits count toward your graduation requirements, meaning that you can take fewer courses while in college.

Do colleges care more about GPA or AP scores?

Will Colleges Look at AP Scores for Admissions? Typically, AP scores don’t go on your college application. Because they don’t count towards your GPA or become a part of your transcript, there isn’t actually any place on the application where they are required.

Should I send AP scores to colleges?

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.

Do high school students have to take the SAT and AP?

SAT Subject Tests, Advanced Placement (AP) Many high-achieving students end up taking both SAT Subject Tests and AP Tests during their time in high school. SAT Subject Tests are required for admission to most competitive colleges, and AP Tests and coursework are encouraged.

Do AP classes affect college admissions?

The answer is complicated. While colleges definitely seek out students whose transcripts are peppered with plenty of Advanced Placement courses, the AP exam scores are unlikely to have a significant impact on your odds of admission. However, that doesn’t mean you should skip the AP classes in favor of a less rigorous course of study.

What is the difference between SAT Subject Tests and AP subject tests?

These tests are not directly tied to specific classes, so students typically have more freedom in deciding which ones they want to take. SAT Subject Test scores can showcase your unique interests and talents on your college application. SAT Subject Tests are rarer than AP Tests.

How many students take AP tests each year?

Many more students take AP tests every year than SAT Subject Tests (2.3 million versus about 500,000). This is because AP Tests are tied directly to the corresponding Advanced Placement classes. In recent years, the AP program has spread to more and more high schools across the country.