Do colleges know if you took an AP exam?

If I took an AP class but chose not to take the AP exam, would colleges be aware of that? Does it affect my application if they know I didn't sit for the exam?

In general, colleges do not automatically obtain your AP exam scores unless you send them in as part of your application. As such, if you took an AP class but chose not to take the exam, the college won't specifically know that unless you tell them.

However, if you list an AP class on your transcript but don't include an AP score for that class on your application, some admissions officers might assume you either didn't take the exam or weren't satisfied with your score. This might raise a small red flag, as it may look like you didn't feel confident in mastering the course content to the level that the AP exam tests

That said, not taking the AP exam won't directly harm your application, and any secondhand impact is likely to be minimal. The most important factor is the rigor of your coursework (which is demonstrated by taking AP classes), and your grades in those courses. While a great AP score can enhance your application by demonstrating that you've mastered the material, a lack of an AP exam score won't usually detract from your application, especially if you have a strong GPA in the AP class.

If you'd like to know more about the importance (or lack thereof) of AP scores in the college process, I'd check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-important-are-ap-scores-for-college-admissions/

Good luck with your applications!