I took AP US History as a junior and did pretty well. I aced the class and got a 5 on the AP test. However when I took the SAT Subject test on the same topic (2 weeks after the AP Test), I scored a 740. I found that to be a bit odd and realized a couple of things. The Subject test is almost nothing like the AP Test. If your teacher properly prepared you for the AP test, you would be used to analyzing a lot of readings, pulling info from context (images, texts, etc.), and even writing. The Subject test was much different as it was focused on cold hard facts. Knowing time periods is key as well as just about every major president and their policies. You had to know really specific peace treaties, battles, and mostly stuff that would never be expected for the AP Test. Do not study for the subject test using the same material as you did for the AP test. I would recommend not using a textbook and instead a people,places,events guide that is not really reading and more just facts.
It wasn’t odd at all. A 5 on AP US History meant you scored 75% or greater on the test. You actually did better on the US History Subject Test percentage wise as 740 translated into 80%, about 72 out of 90 questions correct.
Agreed.
The curriculum of an AP course is not designed to prepare one for a Subject Test. Subject tests are designed to reflect high school-level courses. AP courses are designed to be equivalent to a college course, and as such, cover the topics in less breadth and more depth. Now some schools/teachers might spend time filling in the gaps, but really the onus is on the student in this case.