Is there a difference, preparation wise, between the SAT Subject Tests and the Advanced Placement Exams?
Very much so with regard to physics and chemistry. There are threads here on CC discussing that. Math is completely different since the SAT math subject tests don’t cover any calculus. I can’t speak to the other exams.
Thanks Sam! I’m most concerned with the Language exams (Spanish and Chinese hopefully)
SAT subject tests cover high school level material, while AP exams cover more advanced material (typically college frosh level material).
For foreign languages, there is considerable overlap in the level of material covered, because both high school and college students can start in beginner courses, although college courses will cover material faster (a semester of college foreign language is often equivalent to a year or more of high school foreign language).
Which order should I take the Spanish exams (assuming I even qualify)
Can a Spanish II student do well on the Subject Test?
If you believe the equivalencies listed at https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/freshman-requirements/subject-requirement-a-g.html (click on “Exams and coursework that satisfy E”), you will see that the University of California considers a 520 on the Spanish SAT subject test to be equivalent to completion of high school Spanish year 2 for the purpose of meeting the minimum requirements for frosh admission.
Of course, your high school’s Spanish year 2 course may cover more or less material than typical, and how well you did in the course will also affect what you you get on the Spanish SAT subject test.
AP Spanish courses are typically year 4 or 5 in most high schools that offer them.
Thanks or the links! (I got logged out, something won’t let me log back in, new account)
I’ll be in Spanish III, Honors next year. Plan to take the exam next spring.
Should I do the Language or Literature AP as a Junior? Or is it 6 of one, half dozen of another?
Should I do the Language or Literature AP as a Junior? Or is it 6 of one, half dozen of another?
AP exams are typically taking after the AP course. It sounds like you are taking neither an AP Spanish Lit course nor an AP Spanish Language course. A 3rd year Spanish language course will typically not prepare a student for either AP exam.
If you want to take one, you should look at the material covered on the exam and decide which you want to self study for. I would say that reading and critically analyzing foreign language literature on your own during just a third year of the language sounds like a very tall order. Though the material for the language course would already assume 3-4 years of the language, so you’ll be studying material that you weren’t intended to be ready for.
Is there a reason you want to take language AP courses this early? Is someone recommending it?