What's the best way to not tell people how I did on my AP exams?

Question

I got a 5 on Human Geo, a 4 on US History, and a 3 on AP English Language and Composition. I'm so ashamed of my 4 on US, I did really well in that class, everyone told me I was going to get a 5 for sure (my teacher included) & I was confident that I had gotten a 5 but then I didn't. I had expected a 4 on English, but I'm not as shocked or upset about that score, because I honestly wasn't so great at that class. Still I'm embarrassed that I got a 3. What's the best way to handle when people ask me what I got? I really just don't want them to know my scores or even have any idea what I got. I don't want to lie. I don't want to sound rude. I don't want to say I don't want to tell people because then they'll know I didn't do well. I was thinking of just saying (and then insisting) that I got a 6 on all of them because that's an obvious lie that nobody will believe so I wouldn't feel guilty saying it and it's kind of my personality to say something like that anyway. Is this a good idea?

Answer 1

Just say "I did allright" or "I did ok" or "I did pretty good" and then smoothly change the subject.  They'll get the hint.

Answer 2

Just tell them you did good, you don't have to tell anyone if you don't want to, it's your private test not theres.

Answer 3

Most colleges regard a four as highly as a five. There might have been only a few points that kept you from that five. You need to celebrate how well you did and that you passed.

I would just say that you passed all of your exams are are annoyed that all were not perfect and that you do not want to talk about it. That should suffice. It is your personal business. Figure what you are going to say and stick to it -- focus on your next year.

I teach AP so you might want to put that "perfectionist nature" toward you next schedule of classes. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Answer 4

When people ask for your scores, just say that you're happy enough with how you did and leave it at that. If they get pushy about knowing your exact numbers, ask them why it matters so much to them...chances are it will make them feel uncomfortable enough that you pointed it out that they wouldn't dream of asking again.

(I got a 4 on AP Bio, which I was happy enough about. I got a 3 on AP Calc which I was annoyed about...until I got the highest grade in the class on the final exam! For the most part, colleges give you credit for anything 3+, so above and beyond that, it really doesn't matter.)

Answer 5

I would just say something like "I did ok", "I got what I needed" or "I got what I expected" - just something general that answers their question but doesn't reveal ur marks. Only some1 very nosey would pry further that that, but if you think that they're going to ask your mark say something like "I did ok, thank you. How did you get on?" or ask them some question like that & they'll forget about or it will lead to a new conversation & hopefuly avoid the subject

Answer 6

Say "my lips are sealed" and walk away happily.

Answer 7

Just say that you passed them all, without mentioning numbers.

If it makes you feel any better, I know a Chemist (PhD) who got 3's on the exam but had better than a 4.0 GPA in college.

Tests are not the end-all and be-all of education, especially not AP exams.  Mean scores:  ENGLISH=2.85; Human Geo=2.58;  US HIST=2.75.

The AP exams are MEANT to be exceedingly hard.

Answer 8

I don't think a three or four would be embarrassing

in any case there are enough people who get scores like you, and they will say, "join the club"

most people I know who get scores higher than you are too mature to be all arrogant anyways

Answer 9

who cares?

Answer 10

Damnnn girl that sucksss. I mean not yo scoes i don think, just between us 2 I'm the only person to eva get a -5 on an AP exam. But whatevs cuz it was freaking US Governmento and at the time I didn't even really realize the US had a governmento or laws or anything like that (now I know). In this country we actually got a pretty f***ing complex governmento. They hard asses too. Don't u mess aroun with the US governmento I'll tell you that now. Anyways, it seriously sucks cuz you could have rocked that US, u felt it, u knew it, u was bleeding US history, and you f****ed up burrrrrrrrn. If yo sistas and bruthas at yo school ask about yo scores then they just nosy s****s and hoes anyway. If you don wanna answer I say you just straight up say "i plead the 5th". It works everytime i don wanna talk, trust me. If they continue 2 pester u bout your scores which iz none their biz smack those biahs cross their faces. Lastly, f*** those b*****s at collegeboard and at your school. Peace out homie.

Answer 11

Seriously, Get over it. Just tell people. Does it make a difference? You have these scores. You can't change them unless you re-take them again. People are not going to put you down - and if they do, that's their problem.

I know what you mean. I am in the IB program, have 5+ AP classes every year. I know this competition, but does it matter at this point? Will it really change how people view you, and you should simply use this as motivation for the future to try harder. Learn from your mistakes, but don't be ashamed.

I got a 1760 on the SAT after spending 2,000$ on classes for the SAT. Man, I was ashamed. But I got over it and am seriously using that 1760 to study on my own and become alot better by myself.

SO, when people ask you? Simply tell them what you got - and move on with your life. I KNOW what it's like to feel you have to impress everyone - but so what? Life goes on.

Answer 12

when your friend ask about your score just ignore them and pretend like you didn't here any thing and just start talking about something else ok i hope its work. because i think i am going to get low on sat score then i have to ask this question to everybody too best of luck....

Answer 13

I know that you don't want to sound rude, but it might be necessary if you really want to keep your scores private.  It's as simple as insisting that you'd rather not say what you got. When they ask you "then does that mean you failed?" then just brush it off and stick to what you told them already:

"I'd rather not say."

Either that or you could just say you passed but you don't want to say with what scores.  Honesty I think is the best policy when you'd rather keep something private.  And its always good to just stick with what you've said already no matter how much it kills you that people might think you actually failed.

Answer 14

Oh man, I am in the same situation, so I can sympathize with you. I too was expecting myself, and was expected by others, to get a 5 on APUSH but was only able to pull off a 4. With regards to your response, you should just stick with the good ol' response of "I passed them all!" Maybe you can say it in a funky way so that people won't be compelled to further inquire your exact scores. This way, you won't be hounded by questions and don't have to lie : )

Answer 15

Honestly, how many times will this conversation come up?  Your scores are your scores, but I'm assuming that you and your friends don't go around announcing these scores during every encounter and conversation.  Seriously, just get over it.  You got the scores you were given, so just let it go and tell them only if they ask.  If they don't, then you don't have to tell them, alright?  It's not like these test scores are your SAT's or ACT's.  Yes, they might get you credit for a college class or two, but colleges look more for your SAT's or ACT's, not AP tests.  Just get over it, and don't make a big production if you don't want it known.

Answer 16

Say "I don't have my scores". Technically, you don't have them with you so you don't have them. Or, "I didn't take the tests very seriously and am going to take them over." Can you take the tests over? You will take them more seriously next time when you are not full of hype and overconfidence.

Answer 17

You say you don't want to lie... then you say you want to tell everyone you got a 6 because nobody will believe you.  First, people who ask are nosy... that's really no one's business but yours.  If you are 18, by law, even your parents can't find out your scores without your permission.  I would give an honest answer IF you want to answer the question.  Obviously you feel you could have done better... perhaps you should respond by saying something like, "I wished I had done better."  That should be the end of it.  Should someone persist (which is kind of impolite), I'd say this as nicely as I can: "Can we change the subject?"  Hope this helps.  And don't beat yourself up so much... those tests vary and some are easier than others... perhaps you had a tough pool of questions.  Maybe you weren't quite feeling a 100% that day.  These things happen.  Don't worry about it.

Answer 18

just say i did ok and leave it at that

Answer 19

You care too much what people think!!! Who cares?

Answer 20

I don't think that's a good idea. Because people will know you're joking, they might still pressure you for the real answer.  If you're on summer break now, just don't talk to anyone that you don't want to know.  If you see your friends, I hope that you'd be comfortable enough with them to tell them, but if you're not, just try not to see them.  If you're a modest person in general, tell them that you did "well."  If you always get A's and always say that you did okay, then just you did okay.  But if you're always telling people when you get A's, it might not work.  Because if you HAD gotten a 5, then they would have expected you to tell them---without them asking.

Answer 21

Just change the topic when any1 asks u about this question.

Answer 22

If you don't want to tell people your results, don't tell them. You are not lying, you are withholding information. Besides, telling them you did great is not a lie. Your results are good and you have nothing to be ashamed if. I also got a 3 on my AP English and a 4 in AP French and I'm now a PhD student. Nobody has asked me about my AP results during undergrad and grad school. Try not to worry.

Answer 23

i don't think so

btw ur teachers will know all of ur ap grades =(, some of them even receive it before u do

i think that honesty is the way to go =)

if they found out what u actually got (and they probably eventually will) they would think ur not that smart AND arrogant, so u should tell the truth in my opinion

Answer 24

Ah! I did the same thing. My teachers and my friends told me not to worry, that I was sure to get a 5 on the AP World exam. I literally cried when I got a 4. I'm not even joking... I got a bunch of texts and calls that day asking me how I did. I ignored them all. I just felt to ashamed of myself, that I knew I could do better. I was ready to fall apart. I'm supposed to the smarted girl in that class, how could I get a four?! Anyways, I havent told anyone yet. And when they ask, you can just tell them that yours havent come in the mail yet. Or, you can ask them first. Usually, no one does as well on an AP exam as they think, so your friends might have gotten lower scores too. Anyways, if you dont fell comfortable talking about it, then dont. I know I want nothing to do with my scores. Wait a little while until those stupid dreaded college board letters have come out, and relax. Over time, it will get better. But hey? You passed APUSH, and thats 6 college credits. Congrats! If you need someone to talk to about it, just let me know and I'll send you my email address. :)

And the whole "I got a 6" thing might be funny. But you know that they will just say "no really, what did you get?" And if worse comes to worse, just tell them that you passed, and you did well. They dont have to know the number.

Maybe even email your teachers and tell them how you did. Generally, they get the scores a little while after we do. You can ask them how you did compared to everyone else in the class, and that might make you feel better.

Answer 25

hey i think u shldn't feel ashamed of ur marks u shld face and it's ur wish 2 tell 2 frnds but u shld surely tell 2 ur  parents