Common Misconceptions About AP Testing

The world of AP exams can be complicated. There are many AP testing misconceptions, with some of the most common listed below.

Misconception #1: Some colleges don’t accept AP scores.

Nearly all U.S. institutions of higher education (and many international universities as well) accept AP exam scores.

However, not all schools offer college credit that counts toward graduation based on AP exam scores. Some schools only use AP scores for placement. For instance, Brown allows certain AP scorers to move directly to higher-level courses but does not award credit.

If this distinction matters to you, check the handy College Board search tool by AP subject or by school to see what minimum scores are required, then double-check the school’s website for the most up-to-date information about credit or placement.

Misconception #2: Schools that accept AP scores for credit or higher placement will accept all AP exams.

Again, it varies by school and by subject! While there are certainly some colleges that offer credit for a wide array of AP subjects, schools can decide to limit the subjects (and scores) eligible for credit or placement, or both.

For example, Stanford has a limited list of AP subjects for which they'll grant credit. Notably, students cannot get credit for AP English Language, English Literature, European History, U.S. History, and World History, regardless of score.

Don’t forget to use the search tool linked above AND check a school’s website for all the details.

Misconception #3: Scoring a 3 on an AP exam doesn't equal college credit.

This also varies by subject and by school! Many schools do accept a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam.

That said, a university might accept a 3 on AP Calculus AB but might only accept a 4 or higher for AP Computer Science A. Don’t forget to use the search tool linked above AND check a school’s website for all the details.

There aren’t any schools that will accept an AP score of 1 or 2 for credit or placement, though. But that doesn’t diminish your experience of taking the exam. Check out, “What Happens if I Don’t Pass My AP Exam?” for more information.

Misconception #4: You can’t take an AP exam if you haven't taken the class.

You don’t have to be enrolled in the AP course to take the corresponding exam.

Not every high school offers AP classes in every subject. If you are interested in taking an AP exam in a subject but there is no class offered at your school, you can use the AP Course Ledger to find eligible schools nearby and then contact that school’s AP coordinator.

You can also learn the content on your own and sit for the exam in May.

If your school offers the AP class and you can take the class, you should. If your school offers the course and you instead choose to sit for the AP exam without taking the class, admissions officers might perceive this as lazy.

However, this is not the case for AP foreign language subjects, especially if you are fluent or a native speaker. There is no stigma for fluent or native speakers to sit for the AP exam even if they have not taken the course.

Misconception #5: If you’re bilingual, there’s no point in taking an AP course or exam in a language you already speak.

The College Board encourages you to take the course and its corresponding AP exam and states that there is research that shows that heritage Spanish speaking students that take AP Spanish Language “are more likely to enroll in college and earn a college degree than those who don’t take any AP Exams.”

Misconception #6: You don’t need to take APs; they can be hard and might lower your GPA.

Challenging yourself is good and admissions officers are looking for students who demonstrate academic rigor in their courses! If your school offers AP courses and you choose not to take any of them, that may impact how you’re seen.

Additionally, many high schools weigh grades in AP course more heavily, so taking an AP class and receiving a slightly lower grade can more positively impact your GPA than taking a regular course and getting a higher grade.

Misconception #7: You can’t retake an AP exam.

You can sit for an AP exam the following year.

Preparing to take an AP exam the next year will be a tall order as the material might not be fresh in your mind. Luckily, we have lots of resources to help you prepare for re-taking an AP test.

One-on-one tutoring or our AP 4 courses will allow you to refamiliarize yourself with the in-depth content of that AP subject and you can learn test-taking strategy to succeed on test day whether it’s your first time taking that AP exam or not.

One thing that isn’t an AP testing misconception is that AP exams are difficult. Only about 45%–65% of test takers score a 3 or higher, and the percentage is even smaller for those aiming for a 4 or 5. If you feel that you’re struggling in your high school course, consider the extra support offered by The Princeton Review.