Colleges don’t use Subject tests and AP tests in the same way.
SAT Subjects are used in the same way as the SAT but provide a better indicator of academic achievement in what is presumably the student’s best subjects.
Foreign Language SAT subject tests are also the only ones used like AP, as a proxy for placement and college credit provided a high score is achieved (that score varies depending on the university).
Some universities are “test flexible”: they allow you to take either M1 or M2 + one humanities + one of your choice, as a replacement for the SAT. This means, if you’re really strong at two subjects beside English/Reading, you can submit scores in your strongest areas.
AP’s count, first, for the class the student takes, as an indication of rigor and willingness to challenge yourself while balancing things out properly (“Ap junkies” aren’t especially well-regarded - those kids who take every AP but the kitchen sink just because they can, but don’t seem to have a rationale for their choice).
AP scores, when the guidance counselor presents the range and average of AP test results, are also a useful indication for adcoms. Scores aren’t always provided by applicants but when they are, they should be passing, and for the most selective universities, a 4 or 5 is expected.
…and just FYI,most schools (with just a couple of exceptions) will take the ACT with writing in place of the SAT+SAT Subjects. Much simpler, if she does well on that.
@suzy100 thanks. I preordered the latest version of the Official SAT Study Guide from Amazon.
@doorrealthe she has more hobbies than extracurriculars. She likes making and editing photos and videos. She has several youtube channels. She did have an art piece make it to regionals this year. She used to make and sell jewelry throughout JHS, but she hasn’t done that in a couple of years. Right now she’s in two clubs - student union and UNICEF. I think she is going to run for a leadership position next year. She’ll also be able to stay on as an ambassador for that start up app group she’s interning for this summer, but I don’t know all the details of that role.
@MYOS1634 I guess she is an AP junkie, lol. We got a lot of contradicting advice on taking AP classes before she started high school. We had some people tell us to only take AP classes in the subjects that she likes, while others said to take as many AP classes as possible, because schools like to see that you’re challenging yourself. There is no way she would be in the top 10% in her school if she wasn’t taking all those AP classes.
@OHMomof2 I always though ACT vs SAT was a regional thing. Growing up in the northeast, I never knew anyone who took the ACT. It was all about the SAT. I’ll have her do some practice ACT tests to see how well she is scoring on them. I assume there may be different test taking skills that you need to know for the ACT?
ACT moves faster, guessing isn’t penalized… Some other differences. Best to try both and see.
Guessing is no longer penalized on the new SAT.
Yeah, it wasn’t that penalized on the old one really, an educated guess, or guessing with one answer eliminated, was generally advised
Yes, they are different enough that some students do significantly better on one versus the other, so it would make sense to take both (or at least try old released ones of both for practice) in junior year to see which one the student is “ahead” on.
SAT subject tests cover high school level material, while AP tests cover more advanced level material that may be similar to material in college frosh level courses. For example, using the math tests:
SAT subject math level 1: high school math through geometry and algebra 2
SAT subject math level 2: high school math through trigonometry and precalculus
AP calculus AB: calculus, usually seen as equivalent to the first semester in college
AP calculus BC: calculus, often seen as equivalent to the two semesters in college
SAT subject tests are mainly used in admissions (though only a few colleges use them). Sometimes, they may be used for initial placement in math, English, and foreign language courses in college (though for math and English, usually just to place out of remedial level courses). AP tests are mainly used to give advanced placement (e.g. starting in calculus 2 or calculus 3 instead of calculus 1 after a high enough AP calculus score), though they may be considered in admissions.