Worth submitting a 3 on an AP exam?

Hi! I got a 3 on one of my AP exams. I know it's not the best score, but is it still worth submitting it when I apply to college? Does it really help my application or will it possibly hurt it?

Hi there! A score of 3 on an AP exam is considered passing, and while it may not be the most impressive score, it won't necessarily harm your application either. Colleges, especially selective ones, primarily focus on the rigor of the courses you've taken and the grades you earned throughout high school. AP courses, even with a score of 3, show that you've challenged yourself in a more advanced curriculum.

Additionally, since a 3 on an AP exam is passing, the score may have some benefits, depending on the specific college you're applying to. Some colleges consider any passing AP exam scores for college credit or placement into a higher level course, but each institution has different policies when it comes to AP score requirements.

I encourage you to look up the policies at the schools you’re most interested in on their websites. You can also check using the College Board's AP Credit search tool: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/getting-credit-placement/search-policies

Even if the college you're applying to doesn't grant you credit or advanced placement for a 3 on an AP exam, having the score on your transcript or self-reported in your application won't necessarily work against you.

Remember, college admissions are holistic, and they'll look at your entire application to make their decision. Your AP exam scores are just one piece of the puzzle, and not a hugely important one - your performance in the class as a whole matters much more. Rather than stressing too much about whether or not you should submit your 3, focus on other aspects of your application like your grades, extracurricular activities, and essays, as those elements will do more to strengthen your application.

In summary, while a 3 on an AP exam isn't the most competitive score, it's still passing and may be worth submitting depending on the college and their policies. And remember that admissions committees will focus more on your coursework, grades, and overall academic achievements throughout high school when evaluating your application. If you'd like to learn more about the (relatively small) role AP scores play 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!