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Do colleges value AP scores more than SAT/ACT scores?

Hi all, I'm curious whether colleges give more weight to AP scores compared to SAT/ACT scores? My AP scores are strong, but my SAT score may not be as competitive. How much do admissions officers take both into consideration? Thanks for any insight!

a year ago

Hey there! It's great that you have strong AP scores! Colleges usually look at both AP scores and SAT/ACT scores, but they might weigh them a bit differently.

The SAT/ACT is typically considered a more important factor in college admissions decisions, as it's more standardized and gives officers a direct comparison of academic skills among applicants. That's not to say that AP scores aren't valuable, though! Strong AP scores can show a student's mastery of a specific subject area and demonstrate that they've challenged themselves with rigorous coursework. Some colleges might also award credit or advanced standing based on your AP scores.

While it's ideal to have competitive scores in both the SAT/ACT and AP exams, remember that colleges are shifting towards a more holistic review process. Your essays, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and more will all play a role in the decision-making process.

To get a better understanding of how AP and SAT/ACT scores factor into college admissions, I'd recommend checking out this CollegeVine blog post: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-much-do-ap-scores-matter/

Good luck with your college applications!

a year ago

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