<p>I took SAT II's in US History and Chemistry last May - the timing was perfect. I only had to study once for two tests (APUSH Friday, SAT USH and Chem Saturday, AP Chem Tuesday). I didn't find SATII's very stressful - an hour-long multiple choice test is nothing after a three-hour AP test. Friends who took the SATII's, particularly USH, in later months told me they wished they'd taken it in May as I did, when all the names and events were fresh in their minds. They scored significantly lower than I did.</p>
<p>I managed to spare two hours on my Saturday morning to take SATII's instead of studying for my remaining AP tests. It wasn't a big deal - it's only two hours! </p>
<p>Perhaps your son could only take May SATII's for which he has corresponding AP tests and do the others next fall - it will be nice to have at least one out of the way and he'd avoid having to study the same material twice.</p>
<p>I took it then last year, and though it was terrible at the time, I realize that as long as I was already so stressed, why not get it over with then? It ended up going really well for me, but I agree it is poor planning on the part of the College Board.</p>
<p>All of this might change next year for some schools. Apparently the CB has given high schools the choice between taking the APs in May or June. So schools in the North, who go to the middle or end of June, can decide to offer the APs in early June, along with the SAT IIs. This opens up May to take the SAT I (and means that the summer doesn't have to be spent doing as much AP homework).</p>
<p>My daughter just took the SAT this past weekend, and is taking the SAT II in US History and Biology, sandwiched between her AP Bio and AP US tests. It seemed to make the most sense to us. We haven't figured out what, if anything, she'll take in June. Fitting in the ACTs is a whole other problem.</p>
<p>Remember that in theory the SAT isn't coachable. While we all know that this isn't really true and that prep classes can help, even with these the increase is usually no more than a hundred points or so. Certainly cramming right before the test doesn't help much. So having the SAT offered in May shouldn't conflict with APs since you should only be studying for the latter. </p>
<p>Also remember that the CC population is hardly respresentative of the nation. Most kids take no APs, and the vast majority of those that do will miss no more than two days. Only lunatics like us could seriously miss out on "two weeks of school"</p>
<p>My son has his AP Euro test on Friday (there is no SAT II equivalent) and his AP Bio test on Monday. If he took the SAT II Bio test on Saturday (along with 1 or 2 more SAT II's), he would lose out on Saturday morn (and some of Sat afternoon to review for his AP Bio). Plus, his AP Bio teacher is having a review on Saturday so he'd miss that. Not only that but he would have to spend days prior to the SAT II's, preparing for his other SAT II choices (subjects that he doesn't have AP classes in). It's just too much.</p>
<p>The AP European History course vaguely corresponds with the SAT 2 in world history--as much as anything corresponds with the world history test, anyway. You don't seem to understand that the SAT2 are low-intensity tests that really only matter to a few schools. They are one hour, purely multiple choice (except the old writing one), and generally cover the subjects lightly. Your son would have to do no additional studying--just show up. They also begin earlier (shorter instructions) and get out earlier. Two subject tests would be done by 11. My suggestion would be to take the world history and bio tests on that Saturday--no additional studying--and take a few more SAT2s at another date. If he does well, great, if not, he can take different ones. Only a few colleges want three SAT2s and they all look only at the best three.</p>
<p>Ok, here's my question. Why do schools still require SAT II's (subject tests) even if the kid has AP scores in the same subject. Why make them give up an additional weekend?</p>
<p>I have wondered the same thing!!! Especially since both tests (SAT II and AP) are administered by College Board. I think if colleges that require SAT II's started accepting the AP alternatives, the SAT II system would largely fade away......</p>
<p>Many students still take APs only in their senior year, which is why SAT2s are much the easier tests, since theoretically they only cover a HIGH SCHOOL course not a college course. The colleges like SAT2 tests because they have lots of experience with them and know what the results actually mean. Many schools restrict who can take AP courses.</p>
<p>I realize that some schools restrict who can take AP courses and some schools only offer a few AP classes (or none at all). And some only offer AP for seniors. However, that doesn't mean that colleges that want SAT II's can't allow for students to substitute their AP scores in those same subjects (I know that the AP scores are 1 - 5 and would have to be scaled.) And, I know that AP classes that have SAT II equivalents that are taken senior year couldn't be counted towards admission since those scores aren't available until the summer before college starts.</p>