“Do I have to take the test if I’m in an AP class?” (Not usually)
“Are AP tests required for college admission?” (Not in the US)
“Will AP tests make up for grades I’m not as proud of?” (It can help, but it won’t totally nullify those grades)
In a world where SAT and ACT tests are no longer a required barrier to applying to the majority of colleges, it’s tricky to understand how they’re used in an admissions read. And APs are a whole different story. AP tests have never been required to apply to US schools (but if you’re thinking about UK schools, read this). So…why take them?
#1: Additional Evidence of Academic Strength
The biggest single portion of any college admissions decision is the student’s transcript. Beyond cumulative GPA, schools look deeply at trends, courses taken and rigor on every transcript seeking to understand more about who the applicant is as a student. After all, colleges are first and foremost institutions of education. (By the way, this emphasis on the transcript was established years before the pandemic ever took SAT and ACT tests out of the equation).
While the importance of the transcript isn’t likely to change any time soon, it’s important to note that every single element in the transcript is subjective depending on the school the student attends. Let me say that again: Every. Single. Element. And that’s where standardized testing comes in. AP tests can represent a constant standard that is expected to be consistent, no matter what school an applicant comes from.
So no matter what your transcript looks like, or what school you attend, your passing AP test scores can provide additional evidence of academic readiness in the eyes of colleges. That evidence might be consistent with what’s on your transcript or it might show something new that isn’t in your transcript. Either way, if you have the opportunity to take an AP test, and you’re proud of your score, consider submitting it.
#2: College Credit
Once you have received your college outcomes and made the important decision of choosing which college you want to attend, APs can come into play again. Depending on the school’s policy, an AP score of a 3, 4, or 5 can launch you past the 101 level, straight into advanced courses in the topics you excel in. Sometimes, your good work on these tests can even mean that you don’t need to take some of your university’s core requirements. And for AP enthusiast students, an abundance of APs can offer the opportunity to graduate in fewer than the usual 4 years.
#3: Why not take them?
At their core, AP classes are year-long, intensive test preparation courses. So keeping in mind that you don’t have to submit any score that you don’t feel great about, if you’ve done well in your class, there’s not a great argument against taking the test.
Beyond the “hard” reasons to consider taking APs for the classes you’re enrolled in, there’s a softer one I want to mention. When I was an admissions reader in the office of admissions at Caltech, we looked at AP tests as evidence of a student’s follow-through. Colleges want to know that, beyond good grades, students are taking ownership over their learning, and in a softer way taking the AP test at the end of the course can show that.
In the end, you know your child best. If those tests are a major stressor or feel like an impassible barrier, it’s ok to not take them. And if you need expert advice on testing, test submission, or any other part of the path from high school to college, reach out. We’d love to schedule your free Student Success Call, and offer you the nuanced advice specific to your child that we’re famous for.
