How to Hide Your AP Scores: Strategies and Tips

Advanced Placement (AP) scores are a significant part of your college application process. However, there may be situations where you want to hide your AP scores from certain entities, such as your high school or specific colleges. This article will explore the various methods available and provide guidance on how to manage your scores effectively.

Understanding the Relevance of AP Scores

AP scores are highly valued during the college admission process. They can demonstrate your academic readiness and potential for success in college-level courses. While most colleges require you to self-report your AP scores, some strategic steps can help you manage how and when these scores are seen.

Managing AP Scores Through College Board Account Settings

The first step in managing your AP scores is to access your College Board account. Log in and navigate to your privacy settings. Here, you can control who sees your AP scores and how they are displayed. While you can manage these settings, it's important to note that completely hiding your scores might not always be possible.

Choosing Which Scores to Send

When applying to colleges, you have the option to choose which AP scores to send. This is a crucial step in controlling the visibility of your scores. If you decide not to send certain scores, make sure to mention this in your applications and provide a clear explanation for your choice.

Communicating with Colleges

If you have already submitted your AP scores and want to keep them private, reaching out to the admissions offices of the colleges can be helpful. They may be able to assist you in maintaining the confidentiality of your scores. For specific cases, you can request a score withholding through the College Board. Check the policies of the College Board and the colleges you are interested in for detailed instructions.

Reviewing and Managing Your Transcripts

Ensure that your high school transcript accurately reflects your AP scores. If your scores are included, discuss with your school counselor about options to keep them private. In some cases, you might need to request an updated transcript that reflects only the scores you want to keep on record.

How Colleges View Your Self-Reported Scores

It's important to acknowledge that while you can control which scores you report, many colleges have strict policies requiring you to self-report all AP scores you have ever received. Failing to do so could be considered a breach of their honor code and could even result in your application being rescinded. As mentioned, while it usually doesn't affect less selective schools, highly competitive colleges like Brown University or University of Pennsylvania might take such discrepancies more seriously. Therefore, it's essential to carefully consider your application strategy and check the policies of the colleges you're interested in before making a decision.

In such cases, it's advisable to take several practice tests to ensure you reach your target score. This would also give you a clearer idea of how your scores might impact your college applications.

Keywords: AP scores, College Board, score reporting