Intimidation by scores

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>Is it -very- detrimental to one’s grade health to get less than a perfect 5 on an AP test? Most AP teachers at my school say otherwise, and say it’s great if you can manage to pass with a 3. </p>

<p>But sifting around on this board, there’s tons of differing opinions from a wide variety of students. MANY of which include single thought of, “Only a 5 is worthy of respect”. It makes my mind reel a little to see the ferocious attitude that people have towards college, and understandably so. </p>

<p>My school is HIGHLY uncompetitive with merely 7 AP classes and no plans for additional ones in the immediate future, and a grotesque high percentage of seniors are happy to opt for community college, and don’t push themselves. At all. (I’m setting my own goals far higher) </p>

<p>So I guess it boils down to: Is it really terrible to get a 3 on an AP test? After all, it is considered passing. Do colleges respect that you pushed yourself to take a harder class, or are these just ramblings from a deranged student from a non-competitive school?</p>

2

<p>It depends on what schools you’re looking at, and how you want your APs score to look.</p>

<p>At top colleges, only a 5 is considered a “good” point. A 3 or 4 is probably considered neutral, while 1 or 2s across the board = red flag.</p>

<p>However, at most state schools, etc, just TAKING a class is a good thing, and passing is great.</p>

<p>My school sounds like yours, so my best advice is to self-study and do your best. Don’t beat yourself up over a 3, either.</p>

3

<p>This place is very unrealistic and does not represent the real world accurately. CC is filled with a bunch of Ivy League dreaming overachievers, but it is good because it allows for alot of good conversation. But it can make you feel dumb or incompetent if you don’t have a 2400 SAT, 36 ACT, 7 800 Subject Test, Cured Cancer, Built Schools in Northwest India, Know 5 Languages, and got perfect 5’s on 13 AP’s (5 have been self-studied). When I first came here, I was taken aback by it, but you have to realize that all you need to worry about it doing the best that you can.</p>

4

<p>Haha, this board makes me feel a lot better about my scores… I am ECSTATIC about my 3 in physics C, while everyone else is crying about their 4 on the exam. Thanks for putting things back in perspective.</p>