4 on the AB Calc Exam?

Applying to College
1

I plan to apply to college with a major in a STEM field, and am extremely worried about my AB Calc exam score. While I know that a 4 can still count as credit for some colleges, I am worried that it will affect my chances of getting into more selective colleges. I have always gotten decent grades in my math classes, and even went on to take a DE class for Calc II and got an A. Should I choose not to report my AB exam score? Would most colleges weigh my AP score over my DE grade?

2

It is harder to get a 5 on the Calc AB test than the Calc BC. I wouldn’t be too worried about it, but if it is stressing you out, then don’t send the score. Colleges aren’t supposed to treat you any differently if you don’t have AP scores.

3

Fret not…colleges are much more concerned about your grades in those classes as opposed to the AP tests.

Why is that?

  1. Doing well in a class shows you can learn over the year and work hard over a period of time. That is what they want in college.
  2. Not all HS have many APs.
  3. Many people take AP tests senior year which is too late for admissions

For example, Stanford says:
Students currently enrolled in AP courses are not required to submit AP scores as part of our admission process. AP scores that are reported are acknowledged but rarely play a significant role in the evaluation of an application. Grades earned over the course of a term, or a year, and evaluations from instructors who can comment on classroom engagement provide us with the most detailed insight into a student’s readiness for the academic rigors of Stanford.
http://admission.stanford.edu/basics/selection/prepare.html

I would report a 4. Think about it…if you haven’t applied to colleges, then you are a junior. You basically got a B in a Freshman college class as a HS junior. How is that a bad thing?

4

False. The reason Calc BC has a higher percentage of 5s is because the students who take BC are on average more math inclined than the ones who take AB. BC is a harder test.

OP: The credit you get for calculus will depend on the college but overall you should be fine. AP scores don’t matter that much for college admissions, they care more about your grades.

5

Do colleges give credit for a 4 on the ap test?

6

^ Depends on the college. Many do.