<p>I don't understand why colleges want to see SAT II (subject matter) tests when you have AP exams in the same subjects. Isn't this just a waste of time and money?</p>
<p>Well, the two are a little different in how they identify strengths/weaknesses.</p>
<p>PErsonally, I think AP tests are a better means of measuring one's success in a subject, they're longer and usually incorporate open responses or long writing passages. SAT II's do not.</p>
<p>Some schools don't offer AP's, however, so those people woudl be out of luck if APs were all that were available.</p>
<p>Also, AP's seem to be scored more difficultly, and in a way which disables colleges from pinpoint just how strong one is in a subject. (The only scores are 1,2,3,4, and 5, whereas for SAT II's one can get anything from a 200 - an 800, which is a much more precise measurement of one's success.)</p>
<p>I think colleges should allow APs as a substitute for SAT IIs, if the student prefers to submit APs. This is especially valid for U.S. history, where the multiple-choice portion of the AP test is essentially identical to the SAT II.</p>
<p>But my idea would cost the College Board money, so it will never happen.</p>
<p>A lot of my friends took both the AP and SAT II tests just to kill two birds with one stone. They didn't have the required number of SAT II tests for schools they were applying to, so they just took the SAT II test along with the AP to save themselves the trouble of having to study for a completely different subject.</p>
<p>SAT II can be taken in the fall. AP's are in the spring, too late for admissions if you take them as a senior. Seems rather obvious to me.</p>
<p>Ha, that's funny you should say that demeter. In the context of this post, it seems they had killed 1 bird with 2 stones rather.</p>
<p>Many colleges require SAT II for initial acceptance purposes. They provide a further way for colleges to compare students, beyond the SAT scores. AP classes can help you skip or get credit for some college classes, once you are accepted, something SAT II scores can't do, with the exception of strong language SAT II's at some colleges.</p>
<p>There's also the matter of how a "D" point-wise on the AP test could still be equivalent to a 5, which would suggest incomplete mastery of the subject despite receiving a top score.</p>