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We wrote recently about the rising trend of top colleges expecting that students with AP or IB classes on their transcripts will list their corresponding AP or IB exam scores on their applications. But, we didn’t expect any colleges to become test-required for AP or IB exam scores.
Caltech just did so.
Caltech: AP Exam score required
“If you have taken AP or IB examinations, you will be asked to submit those scores as well.” (Caltech Admissions)
However, not all high schools offer AP or IB courses in STEM subjects. If a student does not have access to these courses and exams, Caltech requires that students complete a certification on Schoolhouse to demonstrate their mastery of core STEM subjects.
Why require AP or IB exam scores?
As grade inflation becomes ever more entrenched, top colleges are doubting grades even more and looking for evidence that an “A” in an AP or IB class represents mastery of that subject matter.
Ironically, in the long run, this might actually ease the burden on many students. Currently, students are incentivized to take as many AP and IB classes as they can because doing so will usually give them a higher weighted GPA. But, if students will be required to submit an AP or IB exam score for every AP or IB class they take, then students will have less incentive to take more of these classes than they can truly master. However, for students in an AP or IB class, there will be more pressure to master these subjects and perform well on the end-of-year AP or IB exams if they are expected — or now even required — to submit them.
