AP Score Reporting Requirements

Last Updated on October 13, 2025 by Jill Schwitzgebel

With the recent news that Stanford has begun requiring students to report AP scores for all AP exams which they have taken, I thought it might be worthwhile to list the policies for some of the top-ranked colleges (according to US News and World Report). Stanford joins CalTech and MIT in requiring scores to be reported, but language from a few others also indicates that they would prefer for students to submit them.  Like the return to requiring SAT and ACT exams, my guess is that AP score reporting requirements may become more common at top colleges in the years to come.

One reason for the change?  Colleges worry about grade inflation.  There are always rumors out there of students who, for example, received an A in AP Calculus, yet actually scored a 1 on the AP exam and needed remedial algebra. My recommendation remains that if you are applying to any of these specific colleges listed below, and they do not require AP/IB score submission, and your student did not score a 4 or a 5 on the majority of their AP exams, then don’t submit them.  This is not an across the board recommendation for every college, but it does apply to most colleges in the top 20 or so.  And of course, you should follow the requirements or preferences of the schools to which your student is applying.

This is a good time for me to also reiterate to PLEASE spend significant time looking at the applications section of the websites for the colleges to which your student is applying.  Just looking at the Common App is not enough – most colleges have excellent details about their admissions and application requirements and their consideration process right on their site.

Please note that the information in the charts below is for US-based applicants only, and requirements may differ for international students.