<p>Am I the only one that is annoyed that the May SAT test is scheduled for the weekend between the AP tests? My son took the test last Saturday but wanted to take it again in May but.... not now....</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the June test is scheduled for one of the weekends of Boys State so he can't take it then.</p>
<p>I would prefer that they schedule 2 dates in April to avoid this problem. I know that CB probably wants to avoid dates later in May because of graduations, etc.</p>
<p>My daughter took two SAT subject tests (chemistry and U.S. history) that weekend, since she was taking those two AP tests and figured she'd never know more about those two subjects ever again. It was kind of a crazy time, but she ended up doing well on the SAT tests and the AP exams. I don't know if College Board does that on purpose, but it made sense for us.</p>
<p>My kids did it last year ... I agree with you, it doesn't make any sense that it's scheduled that way.</p>
<p>nceph: Will they let you take two (2) subject tests in one day??? I am new to the subject test thing and thought you can only take one on test day.</p>
<p>you can take three on one day.</p>
<p>I am almost certain that you can register for one and take two or three and the CB will bill you. Or you can sign up for three and not take them all.
Most people agree that three is a lot to take on one day. My kids always did well with taking two. You get to choose which one you want to take first.</p>
<p>jlauer:</p>
<p>subject tests take only one hour (vs. 3 hours for AP and longer for the new SAT). I agree with Twinmom about how many one should take in one sitting. The best time to take a SAT subject test is right after the course has ended. My S took the SAT subject tests in June rather than May.</p>
<p>Did ANYONE ever say the CB was smart??</p>
<p>My son has steadfastly REFUSED to take any SAT IIs. So, fine. He took the SAT April 1 and now wants to wait to see his score before he commits to taking it again. May is definitely out of the question though. Way too many APs to take. I am sick of the whole thing. Too many tests!</p>
<p>My daughter took the Biology SAT II last year in June after taking the AP test. She felt the same as nceph's daughter that it would have been better to take it in May while everything was still in her head for the AP test. So, to avoid conflict, she planned to take the SAT last fall after studying for the PSAT (she ended up taking it in Jan), so that she could take the US History SAT II in May of this year (following APUSH) and still have time for a second try at the SAT in June if necessary. I know that there are some good reasons to take the SAT in the spring of junior year, but that really jams all the testing into a very short period of time.</p>
<p>"Am I the only one that is annoyed that the May SAT test is scheduled for the weekend between the AP tests?"</p>
<p>Yep, but that problem would not exist if the College Board did relegate the AP boondoggle to more appropriate dates, and not cause the loss of two weeks of instruction. IMHO, AP's have no business being offered during school days.</p>
<br>
<blockquote> <p>IMHO, AP's have no business being offered during school days.>></p> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>I FULLY agree on that one. Plus the AP tests are given in May. Here school doesn't end until June 16...</p>
<p>School years end earlier in other parts of the country. Every year I hear about conflicts between the American Regions Mathematics League contests (which involve out-of-state travel for most participants) and the June SAT date. One could always take the SAT in the fall (as I did, back in the Stone Age) if one wants to avoid schedule conflicts in the spring. </p>
<p>I respectfully disagree with Xiggi that it's a bad idea to have the AP tests on weekdays, in large part because there are enough different AP tests that the current system better allows test-takers to mix and match whatever combination of AP tests they like </p>
<p>1) at approximately the same time of the year, near the end of courses even in school districts with last days of school in May, </p>
<p>2) without TOO many AP tests all being piled up into just one or two days, and </p>
<p>3) with some flexibility for make-up days to cover irresolvable schedule conflicts. </p>
<p>For those who don't like college admission tests, there are more than 500 open admission colleges in the United States, so everyone has options.</p>
<p>Tokenadult, I do realize that what I suggest will never happen. The country has become infatuated with the AP programs, and the College Board is extremely happy to oblige the fans ... all the way to the bank. However, why has this EVER become an issue that plagues the high schools? Does the US have such an abundance of school days to dedicate two weeks to the process of earning Advanced Placement. Since the membership of the College Board is mostly formed by colleges and universities, why don't they transfer the administration of the several dozens tests to the same colleges? How about enlisting all colleges to offer the same two weeks -or one week- just before the start of the fall semesters? Does the College Board really trust high schools more than their own members? </p>
<p>Again, could this happen? Nah, and for the simplest of reasons: the AP has less to do with Advanced Placement or earning college credits than with providing more tools to rank and differentiate students and high schools. Ever wondered how high the ratio of students taking AP classes over the same students taking the test really is? Nuff said!</p>
<p>thumper: your kids get out relatively early -- this year, we finish this June 23 (which precludes a LOT of summer programs).</p>
<p>jlauer:</p>
<p>Unfortunately, nearly every test date will conflict with something, somewhere, in the country, whether it be an athletic tournament, math contest, MUN, science fair, debate, spelling bee, etc. </p>
<p>One advantage of the May/June cycle is that May scores are out ~2 weeks prior to the June test date so a student still has time to start the xiggi method and repeat the test if they weren't happy with their May score.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info on subject tests. That makes sense that you can take 3 on one day -- otherwise it would be hard to fit them all in! I think I got it confused with the fact that you can't take a subject test & the SAT I test on the same day.</p>
<p><<<< Unfortunately, nearly every test date will conflict with something, somewhere, in the country, >>>></p>
<p>Yes, I realize that but College Board administer the SAT tests AND the AP exams -- they are all THEIR tests..... so you'd think they'd be a bit more sensitive about that.</p>
<p>My kids took their first SAT in March. They took the second in May inbetween the APs (didn't really require any prep the second time around) and then took the subject tests in June. As Marite said, the courses were then over. Many people do feel that it is better to sandwich the subject tests inbetween the APs because the student is studying anyway. Be aware, however, that the subject tests are often very different than the AP exam, especially in the case of US History. Taking them in June allowed my kids to review the material and practice using Ten Real SATs which is the best way to go, in my opinion.</p>
<p>The exception to this is taking a subject test right after the course has ended (not in the SAT year). This works well for Bio.</p>
<p>It is also worth noting that the Math 2 subject test has a much better curve than the Math 1. </p>
<p>If all of this is done by the end of Junior year, the student will not need to take any standardized tests senior year, when s/he is concentrating on applications. Of course, this schedule does allow for a third SAT sitting in October, should one desire it (my kids didn't.)</p>
<p>One more thing. It's prudent to take the ACT also. My kids took it in June. After prepping for the SAT, they did not prep for the ACT at all. Many find the ACT writing prompt to be much easier.</p>
<p>It makes perfect sense. If one takes the AP Bio test, It makes sense to take the Bio Sat Subject test the same week. It is the same for US History or any other such classes.</p>
<p>Shark</p>
<p>It would make sense to have the tests the following week. That first May weekend is needed to further study for AP tests the next week & those tests aren't necessarily ones that also have a SAT 2 test.</p>
<p>We considered signing up for SAT II's for that day. But we realized that our son would have to divert study time to prepare for one or two SAT II tests that he doesn't have an associated AP test to do.</p>