AP or SAT II

[MedHopeful93]

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Which is better to take the AP exam for college credit or take the SAT II. I need to know which one is better because my counselors aren't helping me that well🙄. Please help because I would like to take one of these test soon.

 

[MilkmanAl]

If I remember correctly, SATII's were far easier than AP exams, but there are lots of classes SATII's won't get you college credit for because of that. To be quite honest, I'd take every single test that might place you out of a class. That means all the SATII's you think you might have a shot at doing decently on, all the AP's available to you, and maybe some placement tests once you get to college, if they offer them. That'll make your college workload harder overall by eliminating a lot of really easy classes, but it'll also let you get to the things that interest you more quickly. If you're looking for a relatively easy road to a high GPA, the test-out-of-everything approach probably isn't for you.

In case that wasn't clear, I say you should take lots of both. Even if you're doubling up (AP Bio and Bio SATII, for example), you're upping your chances of testing out of those classes.

 

[MedHopeful93]

Whats the difference between E and M and which one you recomend taking if im more of a physiology kinda guy.

 

[MilkmanAl]

Physiology would be more geared towards the molecular test, I imagine.

 

[Silverhand]

Most colleges only need 1-3 SAT II tests (if I remember correctly, the only ones that require 2 or 3 were the extremely competitive ones) and they'll really only used for the purposes of admission. While it is true that some colleges accept AP credit to skip a class or so, they'll only do so for a certain amount of classes, depending on the college.

If you're really looking to skip more and more classes, I'd suggest taking a few CC classes because college credits transfer over, no matter how many you take. Plus, as a high school student, CCs waive your fees like crazy. 🙂

I'm going to assume you're a Junior or somewhere about there and say that you should probably start doing your research now. Like I mentioned previously, the standards and requirements vary enormously from college to college and it's best to look them over when you're planning your testing schedule to make sure that you don't waste your own time and money testing randomly.

 

[alissakp]

Many of the schools I am looking at dont even look at SAT 2 scores if you send them. Then there are some schools that require you take the SAT 2's.. so it really depends on the schools you are interested in and what they ask for. Im pretty sure most schools accept AP credit if you get alteast a 4

 

[Docere]

I agree with the posters above me: AP scores are the ones that count if you want credit for the classes you took. 4s and 5s are usually the scores that get you credit, though sometimes 3s will get you maybe one semester of credit instead of two. For specifics, you'd have to look at the requirements the college you want to go to have set forth.

While you're checking that, make sure you're also aware that some schools require you to take APs AND SAT II subject tests in order for a credit to count. Found that out when I was looking through all my potential college information brochures. Sometimes, a really high SAT II subject test score can make up for a 2 or 3 on the corresponding AP test.

 

[whitesox24]

SAT II are only used for admission purposes and AP tests are used to gain college credit. Once you get to college, also look to take CLEP exams which are college-level versions of the AP tests that can get you out of classes.

 

[CScull]

Just a couple quick questions...

Do you take the SAT IIs after taking the regular SAT or will they be on different testing dates? and what's the format of the SAT II like? Is it similar to that of an AP exam?

 

[futuredoctor10]

Do you take the SAT IIs after taking the regular SAT or will they be on different testing dates?

Different testing dates. DO NOT OVERLOOK THE SAT IIs as many selective universities you are applying to now look at them to help differentiate applicants with similar SAT scores I believe. Good luck!

and what's the format of the SAT II like? Is it similar to that of an AP exam?

Yes and no. SAT IIs are entirely multiple choice, no short essay responses like APs have!

 

[CScull]

Cool thanks for the tips.

I dunno if I'll to SAT IIs, I'm not planning to go to a university that requires or asks for them but they might be another good opportunity to practice test taking and see where my strengths and weaknesses lie.