RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Shifting College Majors in Response to Advanced Placement Exam Scores JF Journal of Human Resources JO J Hum Resour FD University of Wisconsin Press SP 918 OP 956 DO 10.3368/jhr.53.4.1016-8293R VO 53 IS 4 A1 Avery, Christopher A1 Gurantz, Oded A1 Hurwitz, Michael A1 Smith, Jonathan YR 2018 UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/53/4/918.abstract AB Do signals of high aptitude shape the course of collegiate study? We apply a regression discontinuity design to understand how college major choice is impacted by receiving a higher Advanced Placement (AP) integer score, despite similar exam performance, compared to students who received a lower integer score. Attaining higher scores increases the probability that a student majors in that exam subject by approximately 5 percent (0.64 percentage points), with some individual exams demonstrating increases as high as 30 percent. A substantial portion of the overall effect is driven by behavioral responses to the positive signal of receiving a higher score.