I’m taking AP Stat this year (junior) and I was at first planning on taking the exam, which is May 12th. Just a few weeks ago I realized I need to start taking a SAT Subject tests really soon if I want all my other SAT dates to align correctly. So, the next SAT date is May 7th, and I’m planning on taking 2-3 of them (hopefully scoring 650-800). Then, I will have a final exam for a college Anatomy & Physiology on May 16th. Then, I will have a dance performance/fundraiser close to all of those dates as well.
It’s going to be really busy. The performance and A&P exam are large potholes in the road; but my main question is:
Which option would be best?
Take the AP Stat Exam & the 2-3 SAT Subject Tests
This would risk my Subject Test scores, and I’m not sure how great I’ll do on the AP Exam.
Take only the 2-3 SAT Subject Tests and hopefully score 700-800
I’ll have more time to study and be a little less stressed
BUT, that means I will not have any AP Exams for junior year (I am taking AP Calc AB as well, but do not want to take
the exam; waiting til BC)
Alternatively:
Which scenario would colleges think more highly of?
Receive a 4/5 on the AP Stat Exam
Receive 700-800 on a few SAT Subject Tests
Thank you to all who read and reply. I really appreciate any advice I can get. I personally am leaning towards not taking the AP Stat Exam. I’m sure some of you are thinking “Well, it looks like you made your decision already.” or that it is pretty obvious what the solution is. But, I really want someone else’s perspective on the situation.
Thank you for you response! Well, I just took the Old SAT and wanted a shot at the New SAT in case I don’t like my score. I saw on collegeboard that you cannot take an SAT and a Subject Test on the same day. So my plan is so far:
May 2016: Subject Tests: Bio, Chem, and maybe an English
June 2016: New SAT (I might as well try to get a higher score than my old score, regardless of what it is.)
October 2016 (hopefully they have it): Subject Test: Math 2 (I skipped over to AP Calc AB after Algebra 2 since our school does not offer Honors Pre-Calc/Trig, and I realized 3 days into the class that it would not prepare me well/was not rigorous enough for AP Calc BC in senior. So, for the Math 2 test I need to study Pre-Calc/Trig over the summer to prepare. My father is a high school/college level math teacher so this won’t be too difficult to manage.)
I’m not too sure over the November date. I guess I’ll use it for emergency retake purposes.
Well, if you’re looking for validation of your thought process, you won’t get it from me.
In college, you’ll likely have 4-5 finals in the same week. Many people will be taking multiples AP exams and the SAT or Subject Tests in May, so it’s not an insurmountable challenge. Nobody and no college needs 4 Subject Tests. Since you’re taking Math 2 in the Fall, I’d push Literature (if needed) to the Fall as well. If it were me, I’d concentrate on either bio or chem, whichever one I thought I could score better in. You only have one shot to take an AP exam this year, I wouldn’t pass it up. The worst that will happen is that you don’t get college credit. But you may also get a 5, which you won’t know if you don’t take. Good luck.
Thank you for giving me some things to contemplate. I think I’ll take your advice on moving the Literature test to the Fall. That might free up some time. I am though, going to take the 2 science tests, since I would like to major in science.
I’ll have to re-tabulate my course of action, I still have a few days to finalize my decision.
I’ll be receiving my Old SAT score between March 11th and 18th (So anxious!). I took a few practice tests and the highest I received was around a 2070, give or take a few points. I’m hoping for a 2100+, but I will update the thread once I receive my scores.
If I get a high enough score, I might rearrange some of the test schedule. But, I shall have to wait.
Taking the subject tests while the material is fresh is most important, take them in May or June this year and retake the SAT if necessary in the fall, or try the ACT.
The APs have 1 chance, so I really have to take those in May.
It would be ideal to take all the Subject tests in one go, but I unfortunately can’t. I need to summer to learn Pre-cal/Trig for the Math 2 test. So, the Fall slot is for that test.
You shouldn’t be looking at this solely through the lens of college admissions. You should also heavily weigh the fact that the AP exam is a chance at college credit. It might seem like a long time until that matters, but it’s hard to understate the convenience of entering college with a few courses under your belt already; your SAT Subject Tests won’t give you the same luxury no matter how well you do on them.
Think of each AP test as $2000 saved on a college class. If you start preparing intensely now, you should be very well prepared by the time of the tests
That’s very true. I kind of glazed over that side of it. But, it never hurts to try to save some money. I looked into a couple colleges for AP credit just now, and realized that they would accept my 4 in Psych; and if I get a 4 in Stat they would accept that too. I thought I needed a 5. I am a little more relieved now.
Thank you for giving me another perspective on this, I really appreciate it.
Just remember that only Georgetown requires(technically highly recommended but take that as required) 3 subject tests. Every other elite college will either require or recommend 2 or less. If you are overwhelmed with all of this stuff, the obvious choice is to get rid of one of the subject tests which will matter the least.
I have decided to take the AP Stat exam. I’ll most likely take only Bio subject test in May, then the Math II and either Literature or Chemistry in the Fall.
Well, I just took the Old SAT and wanted a shot at the New SAT in case I don’t like my score. I saw on collegeboard that you cannot take an SAT and a Subject Test on the same day. So my plan is so far: