SAT2 vs AP - content and preparation the same? I'm confused...

[Robin in Tx]

I *thought* that SAT2 demonstrates a student's readiness for college level work, whereas the AP demonstrates mastery of the same course (with potential placement out of the course). Am I mistaken?

A lot of people here prepare the same way for SAT 2 as they prepare for an AP exam. Does that mean the two tests are just as demanding? That doesn't make sense to me... surely I'm missing something. Can someone please explain?

Can one plan and study for the SAT2 exams without having to do a full blown AP course (and expect to do well)?

Thanks for any help!
Robin

[kate in seattle]

You are correct in your understanding of the tests.

You don't have to prepare the same way for a SAT2 as for the AP, but after you have prepared for the AP, why not take the SAT2? (in other words, you have over-prepared for the SAT2 by getting ready for the AP, just pay the money and take the test) In the same vein, I guess you could prepare for the AP and then take both the CLEP and the SAT2. (it's just time and money!)

and yes, i think you can plan on doing well on the SAT2 and not be ready to take the AP.

[Robin in Tx]

Thanks, Kate! Someone mentioned that one of the tests (is it the SAT2?) is graded on a curve, and most students who take the SAT2 also prepared for the AP . That makes it harder to get a good score on the SAT2 if you *aren't* prepared for the AP. Is that right? Did I misread that somewhere...

Thanks so much for the explanation! I'd like for dd to try a couple of SAT2s without having to undertake AP courses.

[Gwen in VA]

If you are planning on taking an AP class in a given subject, then definitely wait to take the SAT2 (unless the AP class will be taken senior year).

But no, you definitely do NOT have to have taken an AP class to do well on an SAT2 exam. The SAT2's are reasonably challenging but they are really testing high school (NOT college) level lunderstanding of the material.

Take the SAT2 at the end of the last course your child will study in the subject -- or late junior year/senior year.

For example, if your child is taking biology in 9th grade but will take AP bio in 11th grade, then put off taking the SAT2 until the end of 11th. But if your child is taking chemistry in 10th and either will not take AP chemistry or will take AP chemistry senior year, then do take the chemistry SAT2 at the end of 10th.

If you child will study French or German or Latin through the end of high school, take the SAT2 in that subject later rather than earlier.

The SAT2 literature should probably be taken later rather than earlier, since students usually take literature up through their senior year of high school.

[Robin in Tx]

Thank you for this information. It sounds like we need to decide now which courses we'll attempt the AP and which ones we'll settle for SAT2. I'm still curious if they grade the SAT2 on a curve.

[Hsmomto4]

Thank you everyone as well. I'm still learning all this stuff myself and this thread has helped. I do have a question though. Can you take your SAT 2 test two years ina row on different subjects or do you take them all in one year. Like my daughter has about 2 years left (a little less) so can she take some SAT 2 test this year and some more next? Thank you.

[Kareni]

Thank you everyone as well. I'm still learning all this stuff myself and this thread has helped. I do have a question though. Can you take your SAT 2 test two years ina row on different subjects or do you take them all in one year. Like my daughter has about 2 years left (a little less) so can she take some SAT 2 test this year and some more next? Thank you.

Yes, SAT subject tests can be taken throughout the high school years. There are multiple test dates each year (about eight or so); however, some tests are only given on select dates (i.e., the SAT subject test in Latin was given two times the year that my daughter took it).

My daughter took one SAT subject test in 10th grade (US History after taking AP US History) and two in 11th grade (Math level 2 after taking College Algebra and Trigonometry at the local community college and Latin after taking AP Latin). A student can take one, two, or three subject tests on a given test date but may not take the standard SAT on the same date. Each subject test is one hour long and is composed of multiple choice questions. (I have no knowledge of the length or content of language exams with listening components.)

Regards,
Kareni

[Hsmomto4]

Thank you very much!