I got a 1 on my AP English Language and Composition exam

Applying to College
1

I got a 1 on my AP English Language and Composition, but an A in the class. I feel really bad about it because I really did try my hardest and studied like crazy, but I have always been really bad at taking tests. When we would take the practice exams in class I would mostly get 4s or 5s. Does the 1 I receive have any drawbacks when applying to college?

2

I would ask for a rescore. It’s possible you bubbled in something wrong.

3

Combined with the F that you received in your Spanish class as stated on another thread, it will certainly do you no favors. AO’s may wonder about grade inflation at your school if you got an A in the class, but failed the AP exam.

4

A in AP course and 1 in AP exam reflects poorly on your high school.

5

Don’t report the 1.

6

Fret not…colleges are much more concerned about your grades in those classes as opposed to the AP tests.
Colleges don’t really take AP test scores into account for admissions.

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

Where does this leave you?

  1. It tells you that you cannot place out of those classes in college…you will need to take them in college like many many other people do.
  2. Do not self report your scores
  3. You need to figure out if you need to work with a counselor on test anxiety
  4. You need to make sure your HS is preparing you for college