How to Send AP Scores to Colleges: Step-by-Step Guide

Sending your AP scores to colleges might seem a little bit confusing at first, but it's actually easy once you know the process. Whether you're applying to university or need to send scores for course credit, this guide will walk you through everything you need to do step by step.

Let's break down exactly when, how, and why you need to send your AP scores to colleges.

When Do You Need to Send AP Scores?

Most students end up sending their scores in June or July after taking their final AP exams in their senior year. 

However, the actual time you need to send them will depend on what you're using them for. 

Here's the breakdown:

For college applications. AP scores are completely optional when you're applying to universities. You can mention them on your application, but you don't need to send official score reports yet.

For college credit or placement. This is when you'll definitely need to send your official AP exam scores. Once you've been accepted to a college and decided to attend, you'll send your scores to claim credit for courses or to get placed into higher-level classes.

How to Send AP Scores for Free

In case you didn’t know, you can send your AP scores to one college completely free (opens in a new tab) of charge.

Free Score Report Option During AP Registration

When you register for AP exams each year, you get to designate one college to send your scores to at no cost. This is a brilliant way to save money, especially if you're taking multiple AP exams.

The deadline for this free score send is typically June 20th each year. Mark this date in your calendar so you don’t miss it!

If you want to add or change your free score recipient, you can do this through your My AP account (opens in a new tab) on the College Board website. Just log in and look for the score recipient options in your account settings.

Step-by-Step via College Board Account

Ready to send your scores? Here's exactly what you need to do:

1. Sign in to your account on the College Board website (opens in a new tab).

2. Click "Send Scores" from your main dashboard.

3. Search for your college using the search function.

4. Pay the fee: it's $15 for standard delivery or $25 for rush delivery per report.

5. Submit your request and allow time for processing.

The whole process takes just a few minutes, but remember that colleges need time to receive and process your scores.

How to Send Scores from Previous Years

When you send AP scores, you're not just sending the scores from your most recent AP exams. Your score report includes all AP scores from your entire high school career.

This means if you took AP exams in Year 10, Year 11, and Year 12, all those scores will be included in your report automatically. This can be a huge time saver as you won’t need to send separate reports for different years.

The only exception is if you've specifically chosen to withhold certain scores (more on that below).

Can You Choose Which AP Scores to Send?

You cannot pick and choose individual scores to send. When you send AP scores to a college, they receive your complete AP score history.

However, you do have two options if you're not happy with certain scores:

1. Withhold an AP Score

If you want to hide a particular score from colleges, you can submit a written request to withhold it. This costs $10 per score you want to withhold.

The important thing to understand is that withholding doesn't delete your score from your record. It will just keep it hidden from colleges on that particular score report. The score remains on file with the College Board.

2. Cancel an AP Score Permanently

If you want to completely remove a score from your record, you can cancel it entirely. Just know that once it’s cancelled, the score is deleted permanently and cannot be restored.

The deadline for cancelling scores is June 15th of the year you took the exam, so you need to decide quickly if this is something you want to do.

Should You Send All of Your AP Scores?

Most colleges do not require you to send your AP scores. They're considered extra information. You can use them to strengthen your application. While they are helpful, they aren’t a make-or-break deal when it comes to your chances of getting accepted into the university.

It's totally fine if you want to hold back some of your lower scores when you send them to schools. However, there are some colleges who specifically require you to send all of your AP scores for course placement. 

You may be temped to worry about sending your 3 or 4 score. But just because you didn’t score a 5 on an AP exam doesn’t mean it’s not a decent score. A 3 or 4 is a respectable score, and they still show that you've mastered college-level material.

Remember, colleges mostly use AP scores for awarding credit and determining course placement after you're enrolled. They are not usually used for making admission decisions.

What Colleges See on Your AP Score Report

When colleges receive your AP score report, they see a clean, straightforward document. This document includes your complete AP score history from all the exams you’ve taken. 

It doesn’t include any teacher comments, course grades, or other information from your classes, just the exam scores.

Colleges use your AP exam scores for different purposes:

• Course placement (opens in a new tab): Determining which level of courses you should start with.

• Credit transfer: Giving you university credit for subjects you've already mastered.

• Demonstrated academic rigor: Showing that you challenged yourself with college-level coursework.

Tips for Sending AP Scores Strategically

You can send your scores strategically, just take a little time to think about when and how you want to send them. 

Here are a few tips:

Send your AP scores only when you actually need them. For most students, this means after you've been accepted into the university you have decided to attend.

Don't stress about a score of 3 or 4, especially if the rest of your academic record is strong. These scores show you've successfully completed college-level work.

Use your free score send wisely by designating your top-choice college. Even if you're not 100% certain you'll attend, it's better to use the free send than to lose it entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send scores to more than one college for free?

No, you only get one free score send per year. After that, you'll need to pay the standard fee for each additional college.

What if I missed the 20th June deadline for the free send?

Don't worry, you can still send scores to colleges, but you'll need to pay the $15 fee per report. The free send option is just a bonus, not a requirement.

How long does it take for colleges to receive my scores?

Standard delivery typically takes 7to14 days for colleges to receive your scores. If you need them faster, you can pay for rush delivery, which usually takes 2-5 business days.

Can I rush sending AP scores if I'm on a tight deadline?

Yes, rush delivery is available for $25 per report instead of the standard $15. This gets your scores to colleges much faster if you're working against a deadline.

Final Thoughts

Sending AP scores to colleges is simpler than many students think, but timing and strategy really do matter.

Use your free score send option wisely, and don't be afraid to withhold lower scores (opens in a new tab) if they don't support your academic story. Remember, the goal isn't perfection. It's about showing colleges how your AP coursework has prepared you for university and academic success.

Focus on presenting your strongest academic profile, and let your AP scores complement the rest of your application materials. With the right approach, your AP scores can be a valuable part of your university journey.

Sources

College Board Free Score Send (opens in a new tab)

My AP Account (College Board Website) (opens in a new tab)

Course Credit and Placement (opens in a new tab)

College Board - How to Withhold Scores (opens in a new tab)