US education

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>Hello Pals!</p>

<p>I want to know something about US education system.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>What are grades 9th, 10th, 11th etc? Is an certificate awarded after completing these? If yes, which organization issue this certificate? </p></li>
<li><p>What is American High School and GED? Are they both different? Or are they similar to grades 9th, 10th, 11th etc?</p></li>
<li><p>What is the Importance of SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Test in USA?</p></li>
<li><p>How many subjects do students study in SAT Subject Test?</p></li>
<li><p>What is the importance of AP tests in US? Are they necessary for admission in a university as a freshman?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Awaiting your kind and valuable reply.</p>

<p>Best Regards,</p>

<p>Rahul</p>

2

<p>1) Um… well, I didn’t get a certificate for completing my freshman/sophomore year. (I think most schools don’t either.). And what do you mean by “what are they?” </p>

<p>2) There is a difference. The GED is a test that you can take if you didn’t graduate high school. For example, my supervisor at the place I volunteer never went to high school, so she studied for the GED and got her high school diploma.</p>

<p>3) Most universities/colleges require that you take either the SAT or ACT w/ writing. If you don’t want to take the ACT, then I guess the SAT is crucial? And the importance of SAT IIs depends… Some colleges don’t care about SAT IIs, but some use it as a factor in admissions decisions.</p>

<p>4) What do you mean?
Well, there are several SAT II subject tests, but you only study one subject for each test. If you take the SAT II bio, then you only study bio. If you take the SAT II world history, you only study world history.</p>

<p>5) No, absolutely not. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m fairly sure that APs are rarely considered in admissions decisions. AP classes DO help boost your weighted GPA and look good to colleges because it shows that you take initiative and accept challenge, but I don’t think colleges care much about AP exams. AP exams are just to get credit/place out of classes at the college you are going to attend. (Some colleges don’t even accept many AP exams for credit though)</p>

3

<ol>
<li><p>Grades are just the way that the American Education system groups students. Every year, you go to the next grade level until 12th grade when you graduate. You only get a certificate for graduating 12th grade (a high school diploma)</p></li>
<li><p>A high school diploma and GED are technically equivalent. A GED is a certification received by passing a test if the person dropped out of high school.</p></li>
<li><p>Generally, the SAT tests are used by colleges to gauge your intellect in relation to other students. It is believed that they hold very high importance. Granted, if you don’t score high enough on the reasoning test, you will not get into certain schools, but there is point where your score doesn’t matter that much (probably around 2250/2400 or 2300/2400 safely).</p></li>
<li><p>Generally, students take 3 subject tests if they take them at all. Usually, only highly competitive schools use them as a means to showcase your best subjects. It’s hard to say how many the average is though, because not everyone takes them. Only the Reasoning test is required by schools.</p></li>
<li><p>AP’s are seen as necessary if your school offers them. They essentially just act as a way of saying you took the hardest classes you could (whether or not you think that is another story). Technically, they aren’t “required” for admission, but taking the hardest classes available are required, so to speak, making AP’s a requirement. Also, many American students choose to take APs to place out of college courses.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Hope this helps.</p>

4

<p>Friends! thank you very much for replying.</p>

<p>@gomdorri: Is a certificate awarded after completing 12th grade? (@Hobophobic215 is saying that one gets a certificate for graduating 12th grade). </p>

<p>Is a high school diploma required for getting admission in a usa university or only SAT reasoning test (with good scores 2000, 2100 etc.) will do the job?</p>

<p>Which organization provide high school diploma (is it the school, or an organization like college board)?.</p>

<p>Thank you,</p>

<p>Awaiting your kind and valuable reply.</p>

<p>Rahul</p>

5

<ol>
<li><p>High school is secondary education, and generally comprises of grades 9 through 12. Primary education (elementary and middle school) consists of grades 1 through 8. Students recieve a diploma upon completion of 12th grade, awarded by the school. </p></li>
<li><p>High school is… school. GED tests can be taken if a person does not yet have a high school diploma (ex: the person dropped out of school at a young age and are now older, or are younger but wish to leave school to pursue other interests). If the person passes the test, the certificate they receive is theoretically equivalent to a high school diploma.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>A high school diploma or the equivalent (a GED) is generally required for admission to universities in the US.</p>

<ol>
<li>& 4. The SAT Reasoning Test (SAT I) is used widely in college admissions. It consists of three sections (reading, writing, and math) that are each scored on an 800 point scale, with 800 being the highest possible score for each section. The ACT serves the same purpose; it’s just an alternate test that a student can elect to take. It has a science section in addition to reading, math, and a writing supplement.</li>
</ol>

<p>SAT Subject Tests (SAT IIs) may be considered in admissions, but really aren’t extremely important. There are several SAT Subject Tests that cover a wide range of subjects; literature, history, languages, and math that is more advanced than what is covered in the math section of the SAT I. So, unless the college requires a certain subject test is taken (very few do), a student would take the test simply to prove his/her mastery of a specific subject. They are elective, and many people don’t take any at all. Like each section of the SAT I, each SAT II is scored on a scale of 800.</p>

<ol>
<li>AP stands for “Advanced Placement.” It’s similar to the IB program, but AP is more common in the US. There are dozens of AP tests in a variety of subjects, and each covers material that is considered “college level.” AP tests are taken in May, and are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest possible score (equivalent to an “A”), 4 being the next highest (equivalent to a “B”), and so on. A student would take an AP class to show his/her ability to learn college level material. Generally, the more APs, the more rigorous the schedule. However, while AP scores are considered in college admissions, they are more important once you are actually accepted. In many schools, a score above a 3 on an AP exam (A 3 is equivalent to a “C” - a passing score) will garner you college credit. You may also get to skip an introductory course or two.</li>
</ol>

<p>Also, I should add, College Confidential is full of overachievers and Ivy-wannabes. There will be people who tell you that anything less than a 5 on an AP test, or a 2300 on the SAT is not good enough. In reality, it depends on the caliber of school you’re considering. If it’s Harvard, a 2400 and twenty AP classes might help. But there are over 2000 accredited four-year schools in the US. Most aren’t that selective, but that doesn’t mean they’re not great schools. Take the tests, see how you score, and then match up your scores to schools that you think you have a reasonable shot at. </p>

<p>If I may ask Rahul, where in the world are you posting from? :)</p>

6

<p>@Opaline: First of all, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for replying. Your answers were excellent. Hats off to you and your wisdom. </p>

<p>I am from Pakistan and I am a home-schooled student; in my entire life, I have neither attended any school nor hired any tutor. I only studied with the help of books and internet. Now I am studying for AP exams (again through homeschooling). I intend to appear in exams of AP Chemistry and Physics B in May 2013. </p>

<p>By the way, may I ask where are you from? and what are you studying now?</p>

<p>Awaiting your kind reply,</p>

<p>Thank you,
Best Regards,</p>

<p>Rahul</p>

7

<p>rahul: The rules/ expectations for application to US colleges are different for homeschooled students. Many colleges and universities actually do not require applicants to have high-school diplomas, and many homeschooled students in the US do not have diplomas (or perhaps they have a diploma generated by their parents).</p>

<p>If you are considering applying to schools in the US, I believe you would be classified as in international student, not as a homeschooled student. Nonetheless, if you are entirely self-educated then test scores are a more important factor in admissions decisions than they are for American students who attend high school. SAT subject test scores and AP exam scores are a relatively easy way for you to show admissions committees that you have mastered specific subjects and have challenged yourself (and the test scores make it easier for admissions committees to compare you to more traditional applicants).</p>

<p>If you look at websites for American colleges, some will say that they are test-optional; these schools generally are NOT test-optional for homeschooled students.</p>

<p>In short, while for most students their AP exam scores are not considered for admissions, because you have not attended school your scores WILL be considered.</p>

<p>Grade levels (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th) are less relevant for homeschooled students. Some families use grade levels, others disregard them entirely. Most American students, whether they are homeschooled or in school, begin college/university when they are 17 or 18 years old. Our secondary education system goes through 12th grade; upon completion of 12th grade, students “graduate” and receive their diplomas.</p>

8

<p>As for SAT subject tests: Most students are not required to take more than two. Without grades and a school record, it would be in your best interest to take more. Some colleges require five or six subject tests from homeschooled students; other schools have the same requirements for homeschooled students as they have for other students. Each college sets its own admissions requirements, so if you want to go to college here you would need to research the schools that interest you and find the admissions requirements for each.</p>

<p>SAT subject tests are one hour in length and consist entirely of multiple choice questions, They are intended to test mastery of “high-school” level work. AP exams are longer and include a multiple-choice section and an essay section. They are intended to demonstrate mastery of introductory college-level work.</p>

9

<p>@ridethewave: thank you very much for replying. You answers are very helpful. Any further advice is welcome.</p>

<p>Regards,
Rahul</p>

10

<p>I’m actually Pakistani American. I was born in Karachi, but I’ve lived in the US (Maryland) for most of my life.</p>

<p>I’ll be a senior in high school (12th grade) in fall, so I’ve just started the application process.</p>

<p>I should add, if you’re an international, that admissions to American colleges for internationals are extremely competitive and that they offer varying degrees of financial aid. Some don’t offer any aid to internationals, some offer a limited amount, etc. If you need aid, be sure to research this as well before you apply.</p>

11

<p>Opaline: Thank you very much for replying. I have heard that US universities also offer distance learning programs. Is admission in distance learning degree less competitive than the conventional one? Are the entry requirements of distance learning degree differ from the conventional one? Are international students (especially home-schooled international students) allowed to apply for such degree programs?</p>

<p>Thank you,
Awaiting your kind and valuable reply.</p>

<p>Yours sincerely,
Rahul</p>

12

<p>someone please reply to my last post!!!</p>

<p>thank you</p>

<p>rahul</p>

13

<p>If by distance learning, you mean studying abroad, then it is not more competitive. You don’t apply directly into a studying abroad program when you first apply for admission. After you’re admitted, you can work out whether or not you want to study abroad.</p>

14

<p>I don’t think he means studying abroad, I think he means actual distance education. As in, getting a degree while not physically present in a classroom.</p>

<p>I actually don’t know much about distance education, although I’m sure there are universities such programs to internationals. But here’s a bump to help you on your quest! :D</p>

15

<p>Thank you for replying.</p>

<p>Yes Opaline, you are right; By distance learning I mean getting a degree while not physically present in a classroom. </p>

<p>Have you taken SAT reasoning test and/or SAT subjects? if yes, may I know what scores did you get in these tests?</p>

<p>By the way, in which field (i.e. what will be your major in university) you are interested in?</p>

<p>thank you again.</p>

<p>Rahul K.B</p>