True or False: AP cannot replace SAT subject test requirements?

Test Preparation
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<p>For sake of settling Christmas day argument with spouse - :)</p>

<p>My husband is really surprised that AP tests do not count to replace SAT subject test requirements. For example, I see colleges such as Carnegie Mellon and Cornell require two SAT subject tests, usually a Math one and a science one. (These are possible stretch colleges my daughter is considering applying to in Fall 2014 for starting Fall 2015.)</p>

<p>Undergraduate</a> Admission </p>

<p><a href="http://admissions.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/2014%20Freshman%20Admission%20Requirements.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://admissions.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/2014%20Freshman%20Admission%20Requirements.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>For sake of Christmas Day peace, hoping for some confirmation - when they say required, they mean required - and that 5s on AP tests don't count!</p>

<p>This seems obvious to me given it is listed as requirements. But not so obvious to my spouse! :)</p>

<p>Happy holidays and best wishes for 2014 to all!</p>

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<p>True. [About</a> the Tests - SAT Subject Test FAQs](<a href=“The SAT – SAT Suite | College Board”>What were SAT Subject Tests? - College Board Blog)</p>

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<p>No school in US requires AP test scores for an admission.</p>

<p>I have seen Oxford and Cambridge ask for them though.</p>

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<p>Bryn Mawr is an example of a college that is test flexible. They can take a combination of subject and AP tests in place of SATs. [Standardized</a> Testing Requirements | Admissions | Bryn Mawr College](<a href=“http://www.brynmawr.edu/admissions/apply/tests.html]Standardized”>http://www.brynmawr.edu/admissions/apply/tests.html) Colorado College is another. [Flexible</a> Testing Policy ? Colorado College](<a href=“http://www.coloradocollege.edu/admission/application/testing/policy/]Flexible”>Test-Optional Policy - Colorado College) There may be some others here: [SAT/ACT</a> Optional 4-Year Universities | FairTest](<a href=“http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional]SAT/ACT”>ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest)</p>

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<p>There are a very small number of colleges where APs can be submitted instead of SAT IIs and even SATs. Bryn Maywr and NYU are two of those. Otherwise, colleges that require subject tests do not accept APs to meet that requirement, and for colleges like Cornell and Carnegie Melon, failure to submit subject tests will result in rejection for not submitting required materials.</p>

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<p>Usually it’s SAT + 2 Sub tests or ACT + Writing + 2 Sub tests</p>

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<p>Your husband may be “surprised”, but he is also “wrong”, at least for most colleges. :slight_smile: With only a few exceptions (which are stated on the specific college admission websites), most of the time top tier colleges that require subject tests do not accept AP tests as substitutes.</p>

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<p>It does seem odd that a school that requires, say, Math 2 and Chem subject tests won’t take Calc BC and AP Chem instead but there it is. Lots and lots of schools will take the ACT w/writing instead of SAT Subject tests though!</p>

<p>Requiring AP scores was new to me until my S’ friend applied to Edinburgh - he was accepted conditionally until senior year AP scores came back. I guess that’s a UK thing.</p>

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<p>You can sort of see why the College Board wants students to take both APs and Subject Tests (ka-ching for them). But it does seem like colleges ought to be more willing to look at it substituting. But for whatever reason they don’t…</p>

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<p>Also remember that the SAT subject tests and AP tests are different even if they are in the same subject area. Not only do they test different material but the curves are completely different making it difficult to substitute AP for SAT2. It’s easier to get a 5 on calc an than it is to get an 800 on SAT 2 math - you can get a 70% for a 5 on calc an while you can only miss 4 on SAT Math 2 for an 800.</p>

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<p>^ I suppose in that instance they are testing different things anyway, since there isn’t any Calc on the Math 2 Subject Test. Perhaps that was a bad example.</p>

<p>How different are Chem/Physics/Bio from Subject to AP?</p>

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<p>Aren’t the AP tests supposed to be harder? After all, AP classes are expected to be college-level curriculum and I think the Subject Tests are just over what you learned in high school. Anyway, I don’t think that the AP tests can replace the Subject test requirements.</p>

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<p>Thanks, all, for helping me clinch the argument! :slight_smile: The net result was husband (and daughter) agreeing to sign up for Jan. SAT subject tests in math 2 and chem. </p>

<p>I do think it’s silly - to me, seems AP tests should be considered <em>more</em> than the subject tests.</p>

<p>I’m also a bit annoyed our high school guidance office hadn’t pointed this out during junior year. My daughter’s signed up for regular SATs March and June, so that just leaves Jan/May for subject tests. In May she has several AP tests on the different calc/chem material. So, hoping her Jan. subject scores turn out reasonable enough she doesn’t have to retake them.</p>

<p>Live and learn! Hate to be considered a helicopter/snowplow/whatever parent, but do appreciate these forums already!</p>

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<p>I just wanted to say thanks for the forum’s advice on this - she took calc and chem in Jan., and did great. So glad we realized this in time. Next up - SATs, then tons of AP tests! What a journey.</p>