<p>Hey,</p>
<p>I’m thinking of giving the AP Exam for CS A this May, and I’m pretty well prepped for that. I’ll start applying to colleges around July-August. Is it any use giving the exam before applying and will it help my application if I get good scores? Also, what is the minimum score required to get a 5 on the Computer Science A exam?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>It depends on where you will be applying, but yes it’s a idea to have some AP exams with high scores to list on the Common Application (or their own app. if they don’t accept Common App.). You won’t have to actually submit the scores from college board on the application --it’s usually just self-reported. Once you accept an offer and send your enrollment deposit then you send the scores to get credit (if they accept certain scores for credit). </p>
<p>If you have taken a practice exam and know that you can score a 4 or 5, then go for it! If you are’t likely to do that well then don’t pay $$ to take the exam and waste time. There are lots of prep books on Barnes & Noble --I’d recommend the type that come with the prep CDROM:</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Barron’s AP Computer Science with CD-ROM (Barron’s AP Computer Science (W/CD)) (9780764193507): Roselyn Teukolsky: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Barrons-AP-Computer-Science-CD-ROM/dp/0764193503]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Barrons-AP-Computer-Science-CD-ROM/dp/0764193503)</p>
<p>No colleges require AP test scores for admission. Many completely ignore them for admission; others will give them some consideration along with everything else. A very small number give you the option of submitting AP scores in lieu of SAT or SAT IIs.</p>
<p>In other words, take the AP tests for the purpose of getting college credit after admission and take them when you are ready to do so. However, do not assume AP scores are a major factor in admission.</p>
<p>By “giving” do you mean that you will send the scores from an exam that you have already completed in a past year, or do you mean that you will send results of an exam that you plan to complete this year?</p>
<p>In standard English, students may be said to complete, present, take, or sit an exam. It is the examiners who give it.</p>
<p>I’m thinking of applying to MIT. I surely do expect a 5. Will it help in the admission process? I am completely unaware of ‘college credit’, what is it? Also will they accept the APs I take this May, as their decisions will be released next year for applicants applying this year… Thank you</p>
<p>Check the website to see which AP exams can be used for credit or placement.</p>
<p>I am a bit confused here. I’ll be giving the exam in May, results come by June and they send the scores to colleges by mid-June. But I wouldn’t have applied to any college until then. So how does this work? I’m sorry but I’m very unfamiliar with the process.</p>
<p>You will be TAKING the exam. Please practice using that verb. If you do end up at a college in the US no one will understand you if you say that you are “giving” an exam.</p>
<p>When you apply to colleges, you can self-report your AP scores. Once you are admitted and you know where you will be studying, that is the time to have the College Board send your scores.</p>
<p>^ Thank you very much. ‘I’ll be taking the exam’ 
OhK, so I can just give the exam & hold my scores until I get into a college…</p>