<p>The 5s on the APs and the 800s on subject tests should help you a lot, actually. Grades vary from school to school. Standardized exams–especially APs, which are more difficult and more specialized than a subject test–can be used to compare students from different schools, and depend only on your preparation for the exam (and your test-taking abilities), not silly things like class participation or homework. APs are this beautiful thing that can help you but can’t hurt you.</p>
<p>MIT will also use AP scores to judge the validity of the grades your school gives. If most people in the class get As in class but 3s on the AP exams, the As look much less impressive. If your school gives more Bs but students get 5s on the AP exams, then the Bs don’t look as bad.</p>