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Sending your AP scores is more than just checking a box—it’s a chance to strengthen your college application. Whether you’ve taken one exam or several, reporting your scores the right way helps schools see your academic strengths.
We will tell you where and when to report scores and how to avoid the most problematic mistakes.
Why Do AP Scores Matter for College Applications?
AP scores help colleges understand not just what you studied—but how well you performed. High scores prove you can handle college-level work before you even arrive on campus.
How Colleges Use AP Scores?
Most colleges don’t require AP scores to apply, but many do consider them when reviewing your academic profile—especially for competitive majors. Here’s how different colleges approach such scores:
- The University of California system allows you to self-report AP scores in the application. A score of 5 on AP Calculus BC grants credit for Math 31A and 31B.
- A score of 5 on AP Calculus AB may fulfill the requirement for Calculus I (MATH-UA 121) in NYU.
- A score of 4 or 5 on AP Computer Science A grants credit for CS 1301 in Georgia Tech.
Most colleges require a score of 3 or higher, though selective universities may expect a 4 or 5. Here are a few examples:
- Stanford University does not grant general college credit for AP exams but may use high scores for placement into advanced courses.
- Florida State University gives college credit for scores of 3 or above on most AP exams.
For full details, students should check the College Board AP Credit Policy Search, which allows you to look up credit policies by college and exam.
How AP Scores Support Your Application Story?
Admissions teams look for more than just grades—they want evidence of academic challenge and subject interest. Here’s how specific scores can support different majors:
| AP Exam | Score | Major It Supports | Why It Counts? |
| Biology | 4 or 5 | Pre-Med, Biology, Neuroscience | Indicates ability to succeed in college and lab environments |
| U.S. History | 5 | Political Science, Law | Demonstrates strong reading and analytical writing skills |
| Calculus AB | 5 | Engineering, Computer Science | Confirms strong math foundation for STEM majors |
How to Report AP Scores on the Common App?
The Common App lets you self-report your scores from several AP exams. To report your scores:
- Go to the Testing section of your Common App profile
- Select Yes when asked if you want to report scores
- Scroll to AP and click Add Test
- Enter your AP data
If you’re taking an exam in May, mark it as Planned and leave the score blank. After you’re admitted, most colleges will ask for an official score report from the College Board. Self-reporting is fast and free, but it’s not a replacement for the official report.
What to Do with Your Official AP Scores?
Any student successfully getting into college may need to send official scores—and we’ll show you how to do it right and avoid mistakes.
Step-by-Step: Making Your AP Scores Available on College Board
Follow these steps to submit your results correctly:
- Go to the College Board website.
- Access your account using the login details from your AP exam registration.
- Click Send Scores on your dashboard.
- Find your college in the search bar by entering its name or code.
- Make sure you choose the correct school before sending your scores.
- Submit your order and save the confirmation screen for your records.
For answers to common questions, check the College Board’s official FAQ page.
AP Score Send Deadlines and Processing Time
Don’t miss important score deadlines. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Free score send deadline: June 20 (for exams taken that year)
- Score release date: 2-4 weeks after test day
Standard delivery time: 5-9 business days.
Rush delivery option: 1-5 business days.
What Does It Cost to Send AP Scores?
Sending AP scores isn’t always free—but it can be if you act early. Official AP Score send fees (2025):
| Type of Report | Cost per College | Processing Time |
| Free report | $0 | Ordered by June 20 only |
| Standard report | $15 | 5-9 business days |
| Rush report | $25 | 1-5 business days |
Things Students Get Wrong About AP Scores
Even strong students can make small mistakes when reporting their AP scores—and those mistakes can delay applications or cost college credit. Let’s break down the most common problems—and how to avoid them.
Reporting the Wrong Year or Score
It’s easy to mix up test years or accidentally include a score from a practice test instead of the official result—especially if you rush through the self-report section on the Common App. Always double-check your scores and exam years against your My AP dashboard before submitting. If you’re not sure about a score, it’s better to leave it blank and verify it later.
Sending to the Wrong College
Each college has a unique code on the College Board site, and if you choose the wrong one, your scores might go to the wrong campus—or even a school you never applied to. To avoid this, make sure to search using the school’s full name, double-check the code on the college’s official website, and carefully review your confirmation email after placing the order.
Forgetting to Send Official Scores After Admission
One Reddit user admitted: “I completely forgot to send my AP scores to the colleges that I’m applying for. I was wondering if colleges would still accept my AP scores even after I have submitted my application and it’s past the deadline”. That’s a common situation—but it’s best not to risk it. If you skip this step, your school may not process your credits—or you might be placed in a lower-level class despite earning a qualifying score. Always check each college’s AP credit policy, send your official scores early, and review your College Board delivery history to make sure everything is in order.
How to Fix AP Score Issues?
Sometimes things go wrong—whether it’s a missing score, a technical glitch, or a mistake in your report. If you notice something off, don’t panic. Here’s what you need to know.
How to Request Score Verification or Cancellation?
If you think your score is wrong or want it reviewed, the College Board offers two options:
Students who believe there was a scoring mistake in the free-response part of the AP exam can request a score recheck. This option is available only for paper exams in French, German, Italian, Spanish Language and Culture, Spanish Literature and Culture, and Music Theory. To request this service, students must submit a form to the College Board by October 31 of the year they took the exam. The recheck takes about six to eight weeks to process. The recheck only verifies whether the responses were scored and recorded correctly. It does not involve re-evaluating the content. Most requests do not result in a score change. There is a $30 fee per exam. Students can download the request form from the College Board’s official website and submit it by mail or fax.
If you took an AP exam but decided you no longer want that score to appear on your record, you can request a permanent cancellation from the College Board. This option allows students to remove a score they don’t want colleges to see. There is no fee for canceling a score. To ensure the score is not sent to the college or university you selected during your free score send, the College Board must receive your cancellation request by June 15 of the same year you took the exam. Once the request is processed, the score will be permanently removed and will not appear on any future score reports. Processing typically takes up to 15 business days. Students must submit the official cancellation form by mail or fax through the College Board AP Services page.
What to Do If a Score Is Missing?
Sometimes, a score doesn’t appear in your College Board account or isn’t sent to your college. Check these first:
- Are you logged into the right account?
- Did you use the correct AP number or student ID when registering?
- Was your test taken under a different name (for example, with a middle name or hyphenated surname)?
If still missing:
- Call AP Services at 888-225-5427 (U.S.) or +1-212-632-1780 (International)
- Have your AP number, test date, and full name ready
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Top Tips from Our Expert
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Ana Lucía Torres, Senior Learning Advisor
Sources: College Board, Common App, Stanford University, University of California, Los Angeles, University of Florida, New York University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Reddit
