When you’re navigating the college application process, especially if you’ve taken Advanced Placement (AP) classes, understanding what to report and what not to report can be confusing. A common question arises: What happens if you choose not to self-report all your AP exam scores? Colleges have expectations, and failing to meet them, even unintentionally, can send the wrong message.
Colleges generally expect students to report AP exams if the corresponding AP course appears on their high school transcript. The AP exam is designed as the concluding assessment for these rigorous courses. Therefore, if admissions officers see AP courses listed but no corresponding exam scores, they might draw certain conclusions. These assumptions are rarely in your favor.
Firstly, admissions committees might assume a lack of financial resources if you don’t report all scores. They might think you couldn’t afford the exam fees. While colleges understand financial constraints and often offer fee waivers, this is the most benign assumption.
However, the more damaging assumptions revolve around your academic attitude and performance. Colleges may believe you skipped the AP test because you lacked motivation or were unsure of your performance. Alternatively, they might suspect you took the exam and received a very low score, specifically a score of 1, which indicates no recommendation for college credit.
Neither of these latter assumptions paints a positive picture of you as an applicant. Colleges seek diligent, capable students who are willing to challenge themselves and demonstrate their knowledge. Selectively reporting scores can be interpreted as a lack of transparency and potentially, a lack of confidence or poor performance you’re trying to hide.
The best approach is generally to self-report all your AP scores, regardless of whether you believe they are perfect or not. A score of 3 is considered “qualified,” and a 4 is “well-qualified,” both of which are generally viewed favorably by colleges. Focus on presenting a complete and honest academic profile. Hiding scores can create the impression of dishonesty or a lack of integrity, qualities that selective colleges actively seek to avoid. It’s better to be upfront with your scores and let your application speak for itself. Rejection, if it occurs, is unlikely to be solely due to a score of 3 or 4 on an AP exam.
Important Note: Colleges specifically ask for self-reported AP scores during the application process. Sending official score reports from the College Board early in the application process is generally unnecessary and can be a waste of money. Official reports sent to the registrar’s office are not typically forwarded to the admissions office. Official score reports are usually only required after you have decided to enroll at a particular institution.
