Best time to take SAT subject tests and AP tests
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Anonymous
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I've got a few questions:
Can you take the SAT subject tests before the SAT? When can you take AP tests? Do you have to be in a specific grade? Can you substitute AP test for SAT subject test? Can you submit the ACT test and SAT subject tests? I tried to research these questions but quite tedious so I'm reaching out. TIA. |
Anonymous
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I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability….
1) Yes, you can take the subject tests before the "main" SAT. One school of thought it to take the subject test after completing the course (i.e. take the biology subject test just after completing biology in 10th grade). 2) I believe you can take the AP tests at any point, but many people will (and should) take them at the end of the course for that subject no matter the grade. 3) I don't believe you can substitute the AP tests for the SAT subject tests 4) I'm not sure about submitting the ACT and only the SAT subject tests…. Good luck! |
Anonymous
OP here. Thanks for the info. I'm trying to understand the AP relevancy for college and in the learning process mode. Even though DC is in 9th grade, it's never too early to start learning. |
Anonymous
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1) Yes, you can take the SAT subject test whenever you feel like would be a good time. For example, if you take biology freshman year, and it was a rigorous course and you want to take the subject test while the subject matter is fresh, then take it. Junior year might be a good time to take US history, etc.
2) The AP tests you take typically after you take the AP course. They are only, to my knowledge, offered at the end of the year. 3) I don't think so. They are for different purposes. At many colleges, you can get credit for a 4 or 5 on an AP test, but the SAT II is just another way to evaluate you as a student on top of the SAT. 4) You absolutely can do this...if you don't take the SAT at all. I ended up taking the ACT and a few subject tests (graduated high school in the mid 2000s) because a guidance counselor was under the impression I would do better on the ACT than the SAT (I'm not sure that's true, but whatever, water under the bridge now). Many of the schools I applied to recommended or required subject tests. I think that if you take the SAT, though, when you send in your SAT scores, the SAT and SAT IIs are all reported on the same sheet. So if you don't like your SAT score and you want to send in SATIIs, you are SOL. Check with your guidance counselor, though. As far as what the importance of AP is for college, mostly it is advantageous for college admissions to take a rigorous course load, and AP and IB courses demonstrate rigor. If you take the courses before senior year and get 4s and 5s on the exams (less than 3 is pass, 3 is pass the way a C is a pass, and 4 or 5 will typically give you college credit) that demonstrates that not only did you take a rigorous course, but you mastered the material which looks good to colleges. Also, depending on the school, sometimes you can place out of introductory classes with a 4 or 5 on the AP exam (i.e. skip calculus freshman year). Some schools don't take AP classes. It really just depends on where you want to go. |
Anonymous
You take the AP tests after the relevant class. They are always in May. Mine took his first in 9th grade. Taking the tests helps get college credit. It doesn't have that much bearing on admissions unless you get 5s. You can self report on the common app. Subject tests are any time. Mine took his first at the end of 10th grade and the rest at the end of 11th grade. Some schools who require subject tests don't require them if you submit only the ACT. Of the schools DC is applying to I think 5 required or recommended subject tests, 5 did not. Georgetown requires 3, other schools 2. Some schools require specific tests (usually math 2 if you applying to engineering for example). APs are not a substitute for subject tests. They are for credit and placement purposes. As noted you can self report the scores but you do not send in any official AP scores until after you have selected a college. The only substitute I saw was one school which allowed 3 subject tests in lieu of regular SATs. I suggest you sit down with the college counselor at your school and map out a testing plan. |
Anonymous
| ^^^That's interesting if you take the SAT and subject tests that they're both sent regardless if you don't want the main test sent. |
Anonymous
| The College Board website is insanely difficult to get information from. Don't feel bad about asking these questions. |
Anonymous
| ^18:14 here...I meant less than a 3 was fail |
Anonymous
Not with score choice. We were able to pick which tests to send. Only 2 colleges DC applied to required all testing. For the SATs you have to send all scores from a particular test date. With subject tests you send just the ones you want even if you took more than one on a test date. So for schools that didn't require subject tests we didn't send them. For schools that required only 2 subject tests we sent only 2, etc. |
Anonymous
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NP here. Above info correct with two modifications:
1). Whether you can send SAT I separate from subject tests depends on whether the college you are sending to participates in "score choice" or not. Most do, but allow you to send your best only now, but a few still do not allow score choice and want to see all your college board tests; 2). While AP tests do not substitute for SAT Iis, sometimes SAT IIs can get you college credit without an AP test, ESP in some foreign languages. |
Anonymous
| In May or June, just as you complete the course pertaining to the exam. |