College Admissions Quiz

Is GPA important for getting admitted to international universities? Select the best available answer.

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

GPA is not standardized globally. Comparing GPAs from different schools is statistically inappropriate. Universities have no way to measure if the grading was easy or difficult. Therefore, GPA is not a significant determining factor for admissions and awarding scholarships.

Which of the following is most important when applying to international universities? Select the 1 best answer.

• GPA

• Standardized exam scores

• Extracurricular activities

• Personal essay

• Recommendation letters

Answer explanation

All of these are important. However, international universities have placed a major emphasis on SAT and AP exam scores for previous SPAS students, especially when offering academic scholarships. GPA has not been a significant determining factor in college admissions for our previous students.

Is it important to earn a high GPA in middle school and high school?

• No

• Yes, because it is important for college admissions.

• Yes, because it is correlated with academic success in college.

Answer explanation

GPA has not been a significant factor in college admissions and scholarships for past SPAS students. However, having a high GPA at SPAS is an important predictor for academic success once already in college.

Which outcome is most likely for a SPAS student who earned a perfect 4.0 GPA but did not attempt any standardized exams?

• Competitive universities will strongly consider this applicant.

• Competitive universities will completely ignore the application.

• Competitive universities will probably accept this applicant.

Answer explanation

Competitive universities will completely ignore the application.

How can SPAS students best prepare for college admissions?

• Take easy classes to earn a high GPA

• High scores on many AP exams

• High grades in many AP classes

Answer explanation

Advanced Placement (AP) classes do not include the AP exams. Students must register for AP exams separately. AP course grades are not standardized globally so they are mostly ignored by colleges. Conversely, AP exam scores are standardized globally so they are highly valued by colleges.

Which of the following is true about AP (Advanced Placement)?

• More than 30 AP subject exams are available to students.

• SPAS offers year-long AP courses for some subjects.

• Colleges use AP exam scores to rank applicants globally.

• AP exams are only offered once per year.

• All answers are correct.

Answer explanation

Advanced Placement (AP) was created by College Board for specific subject-based standardized testing. College Board has been offering standardized exams to high school students since 1901. Currently, 34 AP subject exams are available to students. Colleges use AP exam scores (1-5) to rank applicants globally. Typically, students enroll in a year-long AP course at SPAS, and then separately register for the standardized AP exam for that specific subject. Students may retake an AP exam, but AP exams are only offered once per year, so it is rare for students to retake an AP exam. One AP exam costs about $125 USD.

Students in AP classes at SPAS are required to take the AP exam.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Students have the option to register for an exam at www.collegeboard.com

If a student enrolls for an AP class at SPAS, they will automatically be registered for the AP exam at the end of the school year.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Students must register separately at www.collegeboard.com

Which of the following is true about AP (Advanced Placement)?

• Students are required to take a year-long course at SPAS before registering for an AP exam.

• Students can self-study in their free-time and register for any AP subject exam.

Answer explanation

Students can self-study in their free-time and register for any AP subject exam.

Which is the best scenario for college admissions?

• A+ in biology

• B+ in AP biology and did not register for the exam

• C- in AP biology and a high AP exam score

Answer explanation

High AP exam scores are standardized globally so they will have much more impact on college admissions than grades. It is likely that competitive colleges will never even look at individual course grades.