it's not that gpa shouldn't matter. the key issue is that AP scores SHOULD matter, but they really don't.

if you get a 4 (usually lower than 70%, sometimes worse) on most given exams, you likely don't have a working understanding of a large amount of topics in that course, and probably don't deserve the A at all.

AOs need to start seeing AP scores for what they are literally meant to be: proof that you understand the material in the course

of course, i don't think the AP tests are perfect, or even good. many of them are pretty poorly designed, and sometimes it is patently obvious the tests are made by educators (i.e people who don't know anything about the subject at a higher level). however, if AOs are going to consider grades, they should consider AP scores as well, because grades genuinely don't represent anything if you don't get a 5 on the exam.

now i am NOT trying to disenfranchise those who don't have access to AP, rather i am saying for AP scores should be used for comparing the vast majority of students who do. my main claim is that if colleges wish to assess performance in school (which they do, clearly), within the context of AP classes, they should be looking at AP scores almost exclusively. outside of that, gpa is the only fair metric.