APs vs. SAT IIs? Which one matters the most?

Test Preparation
1

<p>I apologize if there's already a thread like this - I looked, but only through 6 pages. </p>

<p>Anyway, as the subject states, which one matters the most? I did poorly on the SAT IIs I took, but I got excellent scores (4s & 5s) on the APs in the same subjects. Are colleges more concerned with the APs considering they are college-level work courses? </p>

<p>If I were to retake, I'd have to choose retaking the SAT IIs over retaking the SAT (which I got a good score on, but I feel I could improve)...I don't know what I should do. </p>

<p>Thanks for all the help and advice. :)</p>

2

<p>I am in the same situation as you are, so I will bump this. But, I have a feeling that they care about SAT IIs more than APs. I don't know why.</p>

3

<p>i'm in the same situation also... bump
but yea i think sat 2s are more important but its always nice to see a high AP score in the same subject.. makes the college wonder-- maybe having a bad day? idk.</p>

4

<p>I'd say SAT IIs. They seem like standards of admission, especially for students like me -- my high school offers no AP courses.</p>

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<p>that said though, if you have high AP scores, you better believe its gonna count for something. so, congrats.</p>

6

<p>SAT II scores count more, since AP scores are usually optional on applications. AP scores are generally used for placement and credit rather than admission, unlike the SAT IIs.</p>

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<p>While AP scores will certainly look good on your application, SAT II scores are more likely to be considered for admissions for a couple of reasons. First, SAT II exams are avaliable to all students. Some students may go to schools that don't offer AP courses and test and they cannot really be penalized for that. Also, the scores on a SAT II are more specific and detailed. A 5 on an AP exam can be comparable to a score in the 600s, 700s or even a 800 - the SAT II score provides more info about your skill level. Also, a while back, I remember a thread where someone asked an AdCom at an Ivy about SAT II's vs AP's and the reply was that both are considered important but the SAT II is valued more and a good AP score cannot "make up" for a not-so-great SAT II score.</p>