AP Test Awards - How do they work?

Hey everyone, can someone explain how the AP Test Awards like AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, etc., work? What are the specific requirements to get each award, and do they help a lot in college admissions? Thanks!

Hey! I'm happy to explain the different AP Test Awards and their requirements. College Board offers various awards to recognize students who achieve outstanding results in multiple AP tests. Here's an overview of the main awards:

1. AP Scholar: To receive this award, you need to score 3 or higher on at least three AP exams.

2. AP Scholar with Honor: For this, you need to have an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP exams taken, and must score 3 or higher on a minimum of four exams.

3. AP Scholar with Distinction: You need an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP exams taken, and have to score 3 or higher on at least five exams.

4. AP National Scholar: This award requires an average score of at least 4.0 on all AP exams taken, and you must score 4 or higher on eight or more exams.

5. AP International Diploma: This is a bit different, as it requires students to achieve various subject requirements, but essentially, you need to score 3 or higher in at least five AP exams covering several categories.

Regarding their impact on college admissions, AP awards are seen as a positive addition to your application, but they generally don't make a significant difference on their own. Colleges primarily look at the rigor of your course load and the actual AP scores you earned. Having AP awards can serve to reinforce your academic achievements, but keep in mind that admissions officers will still focus more on your overall profile, including GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations.

In short, AP awards are a nice recognition of your hard work, but they're not going to make or break your application. It's more important to focus on maintaining strong academics and pursuing meaningful extracurricular activities. Good luck!