Is a 3 on AP Euro bad?

Question

I studied a lot for this test. I even got an A in the class. Yet I got a 3! A classmate of mine got a 4 and he's not the brightest kid in our class. Why did he do better than I did? Do colleges care if you get a 3? Like when you write on your college apps, do they actually count in your AP scores?In other words, do they not accept you if you have a 3 on a AP test? I'm just so worried. I really want to get into Berkeley and LA.

Also, Should I feel bad if others get 4's and 5's? I can't help comparing myself to them, which actually lowers my self-confidence. Thank you!

Answer 1

Trust me, I understand your dilemma. I got a 3 on AP Euro too, even though I don't understand how that is possible because I was the best student in all of my teacher's classes. Well, at least it's passing. You'll still get college credit, and colleges don't take AP scores as a major factor in your acceptance, even though a 3 is mediocre. Just wondering, did you think that you did better on the test when you were actually taking it?

Answer 2

3 is considered a passing grade. However, more rigorous schools may not accept 3's, but less rigorous ones might.

The colleges that you will be applying to do not need to see the scores, unless you choose to send them.

A grade on any AP test will not make or break your chances of admittance, it seemly means that you will be able to skip or have to take an introductory course.

Do not worry so much about other's scores. You did as well as you could and, quite frankly, worrying about it won't change a thing.

Answer 3

It may or may not be passing depending on the college.  I was extremely mad that I received a 3 because the college I'm going to only accepts 4s and 5s.  I am very dissapointed and thought I did much better.  The essays, I thought, were extremely easy.

Answer 4

While you most likely won't get credit for a 3, colleges do like that you take AP classes and tests, and the A in the class will help you.

Answer 5

Sometimes that happens- it could have been because you choked on the essays.  All AP Euro teachers teach and grade differently.  That's why the AP test is supposed to be the great, standardized, national equalizer for all AP Euro students.  

If you're a sophomore, don't stress too much about it, especially if it was your first time.  And yes, they do look at your AP scores.  4 and 5 are ideal.  The A will boost your GPA, but they very much look at your AP test scores.  An A only compares you with your classmates, but AP scores compare you with the entire nation.  

But again, a 3 won't kill you!  Just try to figure out what you did wrong - talk to your AP teachers next year, or to upperclassmen who might have gone through the same thing as you.  UC Berkeley and UCLA will still accept you if you have a 3.  But if you keep getting 3's on big AP tests  like APUSH, Bio, Calculus, etc - then you need to watch out.