US History- SAT2 or AP

DCK7 · 07-03-2009, 06:27 PM

Which one is harder in your opinion? I was signed up for us history and chem sat 2 in june but I had to cancel us history because I found the practice tests IMPOSSIBLE! And this is coming from a person who actually liked us history and got a 5 on the ap test. Does anyone think the same way?

Islander4 · 07-03-2009, 06:57 PM

It shouldn't be very hard for you. If you know the material very well, you should do fine. I'd suggest using an AP review book and a textbook. If you don't have the textbook, use Sparknotes or something. I can't really give you much because I took the exam last month and scored a 790 by only using my textbook and a course review book. I'm still waiting on the results of my AP exam.

joy division · 07-04-2009, 12:38 PM

If you can do the AP you should be able to take the SAT II easily.
It's basically like AP multiple choice without all the essays and you should have already learned the stuff when you prepared for the AP.

I got an 800 when I took it last month with very little review and I got a 5 on the AP, so you ought to do well.

Charlie Brown · 07-04-2009, 12:48 PM

AP is much harder IMO.

GrizzMom · 07-04-2009, 01:32 PM

SD worked hard to get a 5 on the AP, took the SAT2 almost as an afterthought, and EASILY got an 800. He found the SAT much easier than the AP, but imho, he put about 200% more effort into studying for the AP than he really would have needed for a 5 (he's pretty compulsive about studying, and I never quite see it the same as he does... but he was a val and I wasn't, so maybe my opinion isn't really relevant).

whitesox24 · 07-05-2009, 06:55 PM

SAT II seemed so much easier than APUSH, but I think that's just because it is so short compared to the AP test. I took the SAT II a long time after studying for the AP test and didn't think I would remember much and I still was able to get a decent score of 690 compared to a 4 on the AP test. Good luck.

yettiddqq8 · 07-05-2009, 10:49 PM

I took the SAT 2 this june and i honestly thought it was much harder than the ap. the questions were superspecific.

P.S. 5 on AP, 780 SAT 2

college316 · 07-08-2009, 12:06 AM

They are both very different and it depends on the way you learned US History.

The AP exam is much more focused on broader points and connections (change over time, cause and effect, etc.) so you have to tie together lots of things. The SAT II is MUCH more specific and detail-oriented and doesn't require much analysis at all. Generally, if you've studied for the AP exam, spend a couple days reviewing and you will be fine for the SAT II. However, if you BSed your way through your AP class/exam, then the SAT II will not be a piece of cake.

AP exam = 5
SAT II = 770

collegesgirl · 07-12-2009, 05:42 PM

My daughter didn't get to do the SATs....didn't think she would need it but now 1-2 schools want her to apply and require them. She got a 5 on AP exam, but now can't take the SATII History until the fall. How do you think someone would do? Did you all study from some type of SATII History book? She can review again.

She also has to take 1 or 2 more, probabably Math II (or I) and a science. That is problem, since had chemistry sophomore year and physics AP won't be until senior year (AP Environmental was junior year). This makes it hard to apply to some engineering schools that want subject tests in math/science. She got 32 ACT junior yr. (34 math and 36 reading).

Any advise? (she is in math/science program this summer, but it is project orientated and differential calc)

THANKS

soi56starz · 07-16-2009, 03:35 PM

I got a 5 on the AP then didn't even open any review books or textbooks until 2 nights before the SAT II and got a 770. A lot of the questions are more specific in my opinion, but are easier to guess on (go with your gut) than the AP.

collegesgirl · 07-17-2009, 07:19 AM

What book did you use? and how much time between the class and test? Did you wait until following fall?

college316 · 07-19-2009, 12:12 AM

I used Barron's for both AP and SAT II (different books).
I took the June SAT II immediately after the May AP exam. I would HIGHLY recommend this because a lot of the US History SAT II is very detail-oriented and it would be difficult to try and remember/relearn everything over the summer.

R124687 · 07-21-2009, 09:11 AM

Go look on the A/P thread. There is a "comparison" list being compiled of A/P versus SAT II scores on U.S. History. Might not answer your question though...the score comparisons are all over the map.

collegesgirl · 07-21-2009, 10:10 PM

Thanks all. Either way some of the top schools want 2-3 and history is probably one of my best subjects. Chemistry is my concern...need to do that since I need a science (Chem/Physics) but won't have Physics until senior year.