The Zinch Report

Many students wonder whether they should submit their AP scores if they are not high. They wonder if, on the plus side, by submitting them, they at least indicate that they didn't duck the test and avoid it. On the negative side, they will be sharing test scores that will not help them gain admission.

My general advice would be that if you got a 3 or above, list the score on your application. If you got a 1 or 2, don't. If you do not list AP scores (remember, they are not required), colleges will not know whether your scores were low or whether you didn't take the test at all. Not all students take the actual AP exam at the end of a course. Colleges know that AP tests are quite expensive and some students simply can't afford it. (This of course would be an unlikely assumption if your parents are both CEOs, lawyers, doctors, etc)

It's still good to take the AP class even if you don't take the test. Colleges will respect the initiative you took in taking the course and will carefully look at the grade you received during the school year.