When Do You Get AP Exam Scores Back?
In an effort to create more robust application profiles, many high school students sign up for AP exams. Designed to expose bright and motivated students to college-level curriculum, Advanced Placement Program courses also offer applicants a leg up on the admissions process. Currently, the College Board boasts 38 courses in the following seven subject areas: Arts; English; History and Social Sciences; Interdisciplinary; Math and Computer Science; Sciences; and World Languages and Cultures.
If you’re currently enrolled in AP classes, then the odds are good that you took AP exams this month. Whether you sat for one exam or multiple, you’re probably wondering when you can expect to receive your test results. Read on to learn when the test scores will be available, along with what they mean for your college prospects, scholarship potential, and more.
When Were the AP Exams Held?
For 2019, AP Exams took place over two weeks in May. The first week spanned May 6 to May 10, and the second week lasted from May 13 to May 17. You can view the specific exam dates and times below, courtesy of the College Board.
| Week 1 | Morning 8 a.m. Local Time | Afternoon 12 noon Local Time |
|
Monday,
May 6, 2019 |
United States Government and Politics |
Chinese Language and Culture
Environmental Science |
|
Tuesday,
May 7, 2019 |
Seminar
Spanish Language and Culture |
Japanese Language and Culture
Physics 1: Algebra-Based |
|
Wednesday,
May 8, 2019 |
English Literature and Composition |
European History
French Language and Culture |
|
Thursday,
May 9, 2019 |
Chemistry
Spanish Literature and Culture |
German Language and Culture
Psychology |
|
Friday,
May 10, 2019 |
United States History |
Computer Science Principles
Physics 2: Algebra-Based |
| Studio Art – last day for coordinators to submit digital portfolios (by 8 p.m. ET) and to gather 2-D Design and Drawing students for physical portfolio assembly. | ||
| Week 2 | Morning 8 a.m. Local Time |
Afternoon 12 noon
Local Time |
Afternoon 2 p.m.
Local Time |
|
Monday,
May 13, 2019 |
Biology | Physics C: Mechanics | Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism |
|
Tuesday,
May 14, 2019 |
Calculus AB
Calculus BC |
Art History
Human Geography |
|
|
Wednesday,
May 15, 2019 |
English Language and Composition |
Italian Language and Culture
Macroeconomics |
|
|
Thursday,
May 16, 2019 |
Comparative Government and Politics
World History |
Statistics | |
|
Friday,
May 17, 2019 |
Microeconomics
Music Theory |
Computer Science A
Latin |
Understanding AP Exam Scores
If you took AP Exams this May, then you’re probably already wondering how you performed. The good news is that scores will be available starting July 5. The College Board releases scores at 8 a.m. Eastern Time, so the specific time you’ll be able to see your scores will depend on your location.
Students who take AP Exams can earn one of five possible scores. Below are the various scores you can earn on AP Exams, along with what each one means:
Score: 1
The lowest possible score, a 1 suggests that students didn’t understand the subject matter or prepare properly for the test. For example, a student might receive a 1 if they took the test without knowing any of the material or if they had to leave the testing site early.
Score: 2
Students who receive a 2 on an AP Exam are considered “possibly qualified” to pass college-level courses in the subject matter.
Score: 3
An AP score of 3 reveals that students are “qualified” to pass a college course in the subject.
Score: 4
An impressive score, a 4 reveals that you have a strong knowledge of the material covered in the course. Many students receive college credit for exams in which they received this result.
Score: 5
The best possible score on an AP exam, a 5 indicates an exceptional understanding of the subject matter. Most students who received this score missed few multiple choice questions and performed well on the essays. Like a 4, this score often qualifies students for college credit.
Students have a chance to designate which schools they want to receive their AP results prior to taking the exam. While score reports include numbers for all the AP Exams taken, you can opt to withhold scores from a particular college or university. Additionally, test takers can opt to send additional score reports to schools and scholarship programs for a fee after the fact.
What If You Didn’t Get the Score You Expected?
It’s natural to be upset if you didn’t receive the AP Exam scores you hoped. However, the good news is that AP scores tend to have only a minimal effect on your odds of getting accepted to college. Overall, schools are far more concerned with factors like grades, SAT scores, and essays. Moreover, students can always refrain from sending a score if they feel it doesn’t represent them in the best possible light.
Although colleges are unlikely to accept or reject a student based on AP Exams, students can use high scores to tip the scales in their favor at selective institutions. Additionally, good scores can save students money on tuition (because they don’t have to take some of the core classes) and even help them qualify for scholarships.
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