Intepreting AP scores

[Laurie4b]

I know the scores range from 1-5, and I think that a score of 3 is considered "passing" in terms of usually getting college credit for it. Is that right? Once you've passed, what difference does it make whether the score is a 3,4, or5?

 

Thanks!

[FloridaLisa]

Some schools will offer more college credit for a higher score. I believe when I was researching AP Bio, at least a few schools would award 8 credits for a 5, but 4 credits for a score of 4. Some schools will only award credit for scores of 4 and 5. Many colleges have their AP score equivalencies online.

 

Since AP is used for both credit and admissions purposes, would a variance in scores play into the admissions process? Possibly, but I've not read that anywhere.

 

Lisa

 

[pianoplayer]

Some colleges offer differing levels of credit depending on the AP score -- for example, a student scoring 4 might receive credit for the first semester of the comparable college course, while a student scoring 5 might receive credit for both semesters of the comparable college course. You'll have to look at specific colleges to see what scores receive what level of college credit.

[Gwen in VA]

And some schools only give credit for a 5.

 

And some schools give generic credit for an AP class but won't give specific class credit.

 

It all depends on the school -- and even sometimes on the specific exam.

 

For example, at my kids' college --

 

5 on physics B = 4 generic credits. (5 on physics C = 8 physics credits)

 

5 on chemistry = 8 chemistry credits EXCEPT if you want to major in chemistry; then it equals 8 generic credits and you still have to take chem 101 & 102.

 

Anything less than a 5 equals nothing.

 

It's all up to the college and even sometimes the departments within the college.

[Leonor]

According to Debra Bell, in her book "The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling", it may have an impact on scholarships.

When talking about her daughter that took 5 AP tests and the University of Pittsburgh awarded her 24 credits and sophomore standing, she states "her high scores on these tests were also a contributing factor in her selection as a Presidential Scholar (five year full-tuition scholarship)."

[Gwen in VA]

it may have an impact on scholarships.

 

I couldn't agree more! I called my dh at one point and, crying, said, "It's raining money!" I doubt I could have made that phone call if my kids hadn't taken all kinds of SAT2's and AP exams and scored well.

 

AP scores may also help your students to either graduate early or to pursue a double- or triple-major.

 

My kids both entered with over 20 credits. One of them is double-majoring in chemistry and art history (and trust me -- the two majors have NO courses in common! :)) and minoring in museum studies; the other is triple-majoring. If they hadn't entered with all of those credits they could not have even hoped to double- and triple-major while graduating on time.

[Kathy in Richmond]

An easy way to check any college's policy on AP (or CLEP) exams is to go to the College Board's main web page.

 

Enter the name of the college in the "College Search" box. You'll be brought to a page specific to that school. Then click on the "SAT/AP/CLEP" tab to find all the info:).

 

My son received credit for some of his AP's, placement for others, and nothing for some (despite 5's - his college doesn't recognize every AP exam). He was able to free up enough room in his engineering schedule to add a double major in math and to pursue some side interests like music theory.

 

I'm also sure that good results are looked on favorably in the college admissions process. AP is not the only way to get in, but it can help, especially with selective colleges.

 

~Kathy

[Laurie4b]

Thanks, everyone. Your info was helpful.

 

I also found, through googling, that a score of 5 is equivalent to an A, 4 a B, 3 a C. Just posting for other people who may be wondering, too.