SAT subject tests - what did your dc think of them? SAT II vs AP?

[klmama]

My youngest dc has expressed a desire to attend a particular undergraduate program that requires from homeschoolers either 2 SAT subject tests, 2 APs, 2 DE classes, or some combination of those, in addition to the SAT with writing test.  If your dc took the SAT subject tests, could you please share their thoughts on the tests they took?  If your dc took both SAT subject and AP tests in the same area, could you please share about that, as well?  Thank you.  

[catz]

Following out of interest.

 

My junior is doing DE.  Is now suddenly considering applying to a program that requires or prefers 2 SAT2's for JUST homeschoolers.  Regardless of other outside grades/testing.  He is going to have probably 30+ college credits before he graduates.  If he wants to take them, I'm fine with it.  I'm also fine with him just applying with what he has and being clear about why he doesn't have them in a counselor letter.  I know some programs say one thing but have been more flexible with homeschoolers that have other educational verfication.   He's applying primarily to auditioned music programs so we already have plenty of hoops to jump through.  So if he gets in any of these programs it will be because of the audition.  He has strong academics and standardized tests.   And I'm sure he'd do great on SAT2's with a little time and effort.  I'm kind of feeling short of time and effort at this point.  LOL. 

[Gwen in VA]

My kids went the "all of the above" route -- AP's, SAT-2's, and dual-enrollment.

 

My kids found the SAT-2's to be high-satisfaction tests. Studying for them allowed them to really cement the material and organize it in their brains coherently. They seriously enjoyed studying for them!

 

SAT-2's are intended to test material at the advanced high school level. Usually only honors-level students take them, but SAT-2's are relatively straightforward if the student has a solid background in the subject. Do buy a prep book and have your student work through it before taking the test!

 

AP's are intended to test material at the college level. AP scores can be a bit unpredictable, and the tests are only offered in May, and normally students take an AP class first, so if going the AP route fits into your high school plans go for it, but it is a more involved than just taking an SAT-2.

 

My kids did both the SAT-2 and the AP exam in multiple subjects. The SAT-2 is a lot easier, but it doesn't earn any college credit. A decent AP score may help your student get credit for the subject once he/she enters college (depending on the test, the score, an the college -- no promises!). While my kids found a strong correlation between the AP score and the SAT-2 score, an 800 doesn't guarantee a 5 and a 5 doesn't guarantee an 800! (Trust me on this!)

 

Some kids prefer dual-enrollment; some prefer going the AP route. My older two did only a handful of dual-enrollment classes but did 5-6 AP's each. My younger ones preferred dual-enrollment though they still did 2-3 AP's. My kids think that dual-enrollment is a LOT less stressful than AP classes in general, but that obviously depends.

 

Find the route that works for your educational objectives, your kids' interests and everyone's time commitment. People have succeeded doing all different combinations.

 

[MarkT]

My youngest dc has expressed a desire to attend a particular undergraduate program that requires from homeschoolers either 2 SAT subject tests, 2 APs, 2 DE classes, or some combination of those, in addition to the SAT with writing test.  If your dc took the SAT subject tests, could you please share their thoughts on the tests they took?  If your dc took both SAT subject and AP tests in the same area, could you please share about that, as well?  Thank you.  

Which particular AP or SAT 2 subject tests are you leaning towards?

 

A student that I am mentoring now took both Biology AP and subject test last year - the subject test score was somewhat better but they are hard to judge or compare. Unfortunately the AP Bio class did not cover all the needed topics (this was an CB approved course).

 

American History test discussion

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/285276-so-is-a-730-ok-for-sat-ii-american-history/

[JeanM]

Both of my dc have taken APs and SAT subject tests. For instance, they've both done the US history AP and subject test. There really is a large difference between the tests. The subject test is 1 hour, all multiple choice. The AP is 3+ hours with multiple choice, short answer questions, and essays. You can re-take the subject test fairly easily since most of them are offered at multiple dates/locations per year. Where we are, my dc can take any AP they want and the public school will set up the test just for them, but in many places it can be difficult to find a school that will accomodate.

 

[regentrude]

DE and SAT2s here. DD took SAT2 in literature (piece of cake), math 2(more material covered than math 1 but more forgiving curve), German, and physics (have to make sure course covers all the material). We did no APs.

[Julie of KY]

Only did APs here. They were more widely accepted and gave college credit. So far, my boys have not decided to apply to schools requiring SAT2s. I have opened up the college conversation early because if certain schools were being discussed, then I knew we'd have to plan on the SAT2s as well.

 

[JanetC]

DD did SAT 2 in chemistry after AP Chemistry, to keep her options open.

She added math 2 in senior year when she added a couple reachy schools to her list that want subject tests.

 

The recommended way is to do subject tests after finishing the related class, and one test at a time was not too stressful for her.

[klmama]

Thanks, everyone.  Part of me is glad to know about this now, so we can plan for all possibilities.  Part of me is thinking, "Why can't you just go to the in-state school that's best in the field you want and save both of us a lot of time, stress, and money?"  SAT 2 tests would definitely be the lowest stress option, but with the tuition cost of this university, AP or DE (if it transferred) would be a lot cheaper in the long run.   

[3andme]

My ds took the SAT US History test right after taking the AP test. He did well on both. According to him, the AP is good preparation for the SAT although the SAT sometimes gets more detailed about specific things. The SAT is simpler in that it's all multiple choice and no essays and only 1 hour. He felt the best preparation for the AP was Amsco's US history text. For the SAT, he recommends a much slimmer review book called the No Bull Review over the other standard review books. 

[klmama]

Both.

 

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[daijobu]

My dd took:

 

ap chem + sat subject test

ap bio + sat subject test

pre calc + math level 2

 

she's going to take ap physics c this year, but I'm not sure if she's going to bother with the sat subject test in physics, since she already has 3.  

 

The SAT subject tests are only an hour long and all multiple choice, so not as big a deal, but you do need to be careful because there may be topics covered in the subject test that aren't on the AP.  A good AP teacher should prep you for both exams.  

 

My younger dd took the sat subject test in bio, but needed to do some additional study for a month because her course did not cover organ systems.