Yo guys, I'm pretty confused here and was hoping someone could shed some light on the topic. How exactly is the AP test graded? I know we get numerical scores but what do they even mean? And how do the colleges look at these scores?
Sure, happy to help clarify this for you!
To start off, Advanced Placement (AP) exams are scored on a scale of 1 to 5.
Here's a brief breakdown:
- A score of 5 is deemed extremely well qualified. Many colleges consider this equivalent to a college course grade of an A.
- A score of 4 is well qualified. In terms of how it is looked at by colleges, it is often compared to a grade of B in a college course.
- A score of 3 is considered qualified. Many colleges accept this as an equivalent to a college course grade of C.
- A score of 2 is possibly qualified, and a score of 1 is no recommendation.
Now, regarding how colleges look at these scores, it largely depends on the individual college and its AP credit policy. Many universities give students the opportunity to earn college credits or bypass introductory courses if they score 3 or above on AP exams. Typically, a score of 4 or 5 is often viewed more favorably, and of course, this varies by institution and by subject.
Finally, it's important to note that while AP scores can earn you college credits, they don't play a major role in your college admissions process. Colleges generally value the rigor of your high school curriculum. So, your performance in AP courses will matter more than your AP scores when assessing your academic readiness.
I hope this helps clear some things up! Let me know if you have other questions.
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