3 min read
“How To Interpret What Your AP Scores Really Say”
Introduction
AP scores are a partially sensitive topic for some, and a topic with no overly crazy significance for others.
I’ll tell you this: they definitely are important. But, if you didn’t do well, then it’s okay. Things could be worse.
In the end, what matters the most is that you, well, would’ve passed the exam. But, the second best thing is that you challenged yourself and have a small dive into what college material is like. Of course, by no means does this go for all classes. Some AP classes are meant to be essentially “dumbed-down” for high school students, with some occasionally challenging material found in actual college classes.
However, a really good insight that I caught grasp of not too long ago was that if the material is challenging now, then it would also probably be in college too. If you’re a junior or senior at the moment, and you found whatever material you covered to be difficult and more than you could handle, then it’s probably crucial that you prioritize X and improve. For many of you, college isn’t more than 1-2 years away, or even a couple months away; and so, if you’re still struggling with that level of material, you seriously want to consider taking some extra time to get better at whatever that is.
Taking the time to do better at the things you aren’t yet good at could save you money, time, and especially: your will to continue. Make life just a little bit easier for your future-self. Stop making things harder than they need to be.
People Are Different
Okay. Before I continue with what your scores mean, I want to explain something really important to acknowledge. That is: people are naturally better at different things. Therefore, if a classmate or a friend of yours scored better on something than you did, then there’s something deeper than “he’s just lucky”.
Trust me, there’s many different case-scenarios. Usually, people who don’t study end up with the scores they “deserve” (low score). However, sometimes, they don’t do bad at all. In some cases, they might actually do fantastic. Sure, maybe luck took some part in it. But, if anything, it might highlight what they naturally find, well “natural”, and what they don’t.
Someone that didn’t study for AP Language, and that still got a 4 or 5, probably is naturally good at writing, analyzing texts, or working with, English. Yeah, that’s really about it. They might not even realize it either, saying things like “well, I was just lucky.” People commonly say that.
There’s no reason to feel guilt or shame in the fact that someone is better than you, even if they didn’t try. It means that if they did try (in almost every scenario), they would’ve done incomprehensibly better. Someone will always be better than you at almost anything, so embrace your… inability to be the best.
What Your Scores Say About You
Please Note: I’m not here to make fun or negatively criticize anybody whose received their scores. As I already stated previously, some people may not be happy with their scores while others are. I’m here to solely provide insight for what you could’ve done better, but also to make you feel better. AP scores aren’t always enlightening or what you would’ve wanted them to be. Things don’t always do your way. Please remember that.
If You Got A 4-5:
You achieved the ideal score that practically (unless you shoot low) all students aim for. And, guess what? You were successful!
For many people, to get this score, it requires what feels like endless studying and a burning dedication. It means that you worked hard to get the score you wanted, and rightfully earned it through the input you gave. All those hours of studying and preparation paid off. It might’ve not made much sense in the beginning, and have been extremely foggy, but you made it through.
The journey to achieving a 4-5 is a tough path, I will admit. It’s a rocky, sometimes unstable, and a foggy journey where you can barely see your next step. Your next step might be clear, while the one after may not be. Your journey to this score is hard by all means, and for many, even impossible. The path is far too unclear and mysterious, and taking the journey to the end is not worth the risk at all. Failure is almost guaranteed, and someone like you simply isn’t fit for the journey.
That’s no exaggeration by the way. Some people who take AP classes in the first place might also not even be confident enough to take the final exam in May. It’s just too scary, too insecure, and almost guaranteed for them to do bad.
Be confident for once. Believe in your ability to do better.
Exceptions
And for those of you who didn’t work hard for this at all, and actually found what I said earlier to be an exaggeration, then… you won too.
Although some people might see you as just lucky; which, you might’ve been, you also earned it just like everyone else. Everyone got the same test, just like you, and all of you had the chance to have passed, failed, or aced it. All of it depends on if you studied it or not. You took a gamble, and you won.
I mention that because, at the end of the day, you still won. People might put you down, and that’s fine. You did something different, even if that “something” was nothing. There was something different ABOUT YOU compared to the rest that led you to the score you got. Or, better I say: “earned”. You earned it.
The question now is: will you continue to take that same gamble in the future?
Seriously:
You have earned the absolute potential to receive college credit. Even selective colleges will accept these scores.
If You Got A 3:
Most colleges still accept a score of 3. However, for selective ones, it might not apply.
Some of you might feel proud, and others on the “ah, what do I do now?” end. And honestly, it really depends on the college you plan on attending. Selective ones probably won’t take it as a pass, while less selective (not inherently bad) ones likely will.
What matters though is that you passed the course, and succeeded in some way. You could’ve failed, and you didn’t.
I sincerely suggest doing some deep research to find out if your score is acceptable, and specifically for the course you’re taking. A 3 is really strange to work with.
Advice For The Future
Slightly change your study approach. College will make AP classes even more difficult, so understand where you’re weak.
If You Got A 2-1:
Don’t stress it. You failed. That’s all there really is to say.
A 2 or 1 is a failing grade, meaning that in college you will have to take that course again no matter what (because you failed, if it wasn’t clear). However, I want to say something.
You took a step that no one else was willing to take. You were willing to take a risk and make a jump in the right direction. Not all people look to challenge themselves and risk ruining their GPA and academic transcript. They want the easy route, and a reliable path that involves them scoring high without having to go all-out. AP classes aren’t for everybody. They’re meant to be difficult, and test your ability in a somewhat-realistic college environment with college material.
I would say, in the context of that group of students, that I understand, but I don’t. I take risks because I know it can improve me and my record. That feeling of wanting to stay back and just do less because you might not do as well as you did before is not a trait I possess.
In your scenario, I’m happy that you took that step. Even if you’re a senior who just took their first AP class or other college-level course in high school, you still took that step. Ideally, you have a relaxing senior year, but instead, you decided to make it harder for yourself. Not everyone is willing to do that. You were.
Advice For The Future
I originally thought this advice didn’t suit Seniors, but I realized it actually did. My advice for all of you wanting to not experience this again (you probably will however, it’s just life) is acknowledge where you were faulty.
Over the course of the year, you either built a structure, built nothing, or built all of it last-minute. Some students can find a way to built their structure within just weeks or days. They can squeeze through the tightest of holes, and squeeze all of the juices out of every opportunity. Other students, however, don’t have as neat of precision and communication; requiring more time to get their tasks done. For that reason, really evaluate yourself and your ability to perform.
To do better at anything, it usually is a simple, straightforward answer for everyone. You need to change SOMETHING about how you prepare and how you learn. Your approach just didn’t work, or you just didn’t care, and the fix is just beneath your skin.
Conclusion
AP scores are usually very easily explained with just a few words, but not all people understand the answer the same way. In this post, hopefully I was able to provide the insight you needed to progress further and continue challenging yourself in the future. Don’t fall vulnerable to weakness. You can do more.
