<p>Why does College Board make both?</p>
<p>Someone told me the Subject Tests show your excellence in a particular subject. However, for example, if you make a 5 on the AP Chemistry test, why should you take the SAT Chemistry Subject Test (which is easier) and try to get a 750+?</p>
<p>Is it just a moneymaking tactic for the College Board? Or am I missing something?</p>
<p>The Subject Tests are used for admissions purposes.</p>
<p>The AP exams are used to exempt you from college classes.</p>
<p>These are two entirely different things.</p>
<p>Yes, but won’t your AP scores reflect your proficiency in a particular subject just as well as a Subject Test? (if not better, since AP tests are much harder than the Subject Tests)</p>
<p>They are used for different purposes, but, in reality, I’m going with money-making scheme. :)</p>
<p>AP Exam scores are arbitrary and mean much less in the college admission process. The scores are over generalized, and are not the most accurate portrayal of your knowledge regarding the subject.</p>
<p>Personally, I think that SAT scores are more useful when it comes to differentiating between different levels of preparedness. For example, a 5 on the English Lit AP may correspond to a 690 or a 760 or an 800 on the SAT, and while these are all fine scores, they indicate different things. Without the SAT, you’d just see three students with 5s on the AP exam.</p>
<p>It is just one of those things that it is the way it is. Requiring APs or replacing subject test requirements with APs for admission is not possible since not all high schools offer AP courses and even many that do have very limited offerings. Most colleges rerquire only SAT or ACT for admission. A number of colleges require SAT IIs for admission; none require APs; so unless you take the SAT IIs you cannot apply to those colleges. There are a small number of colleges that will accept APs for admission but do not require them – NYU is one where you can submit three APs in lieu of any other tests (including SAT). </p>
<p>CB originated in the SAT business, then eventually developed subject tests and then lastly APs. To make money? Undoubtedly partly (why is that motive always considered evil by many?). The AP is partly touted as potentially saving you money – if you get college credit you save something on tuition in college.</p>
<p>My point exactly. Why can’t APs/SAT IIs be used for placement and admissions. Why do I have to try and hit the bull’s eye twice?</p>
<p>i suppose because IMHO only :
not everyone can take AP exams , if their HS don’t offer any or many AP classes & the cost can be high for students/ family to bear …I don’t remember the exact cost but isn’t it aprx in the range of $86 per AP exam ( something like that )? so many students can’t afford the fee.</p>
<p>but almost everyone can sign up for SATII test if they wanted to take that test. One does not need to take any AP class in that subject & can 'self study" if they choose to.</p>
<p>Money making ? hmmm…in some way, i have to agree !</p>
<p>SAT Subject tests show your excellence in one particular high school subject. AP Exams show your mastery of the college level in a subject. </p>
<p>Plus, there aren’t AP classes offered at every school. You have to compensate for us somehow. :)</p>
<p>Only a small number of the most selective colleges require SAT subject tests. If you are taking an AP class that corresponds to the SAT Subject test, those are the best subject tests to choose to take, since you won’t have to do additional prep.</p>
<p>Yes, you have to spend some money, and waste a Saturday morning however. But it can definitely help with admissions. SAT subject test scores are officially reported, while you just self-report AP scores, so I think the subject test scores matter more in admissions.</p>