Kind of freaking out after taking my AP exams. If I don't do as well as I hoped, should I cancel the scores? Are there benefits to keeping a bad score, or should I just get rid of it?
Hey, I totally understand the post-AP exam stress! But here's the thing: it's very rare that a 'bad' AP score would significantly impact your college application, simply because AP scores are not the central focus.
For top colleges, your course rigor and the grades you get in those courses are what really count. So, if you didn't get the results you wanted, don't sweat it too much. Rather than cancel, you might consider just not reporting the score.
Many colleges allow you to self-report the scores you feel best represent your abilities, and this can exclude any that aren't up to your expectations. Also, remember that a lower AP score can sometimes be offset by a strong performance in the actual class. And hey, if you did well in the class but struggled with the test, that's something you could address in an additional information section to give some context. So, in short, don't rush to cancel — think strategically about which scores to share!
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