AP, SAT/ACT, SAT Subject tests, CLEP, Associates degree....I need help

Pre-College Topics High School Cafe
1

I want to take a LOT of AP classes.
I have the opportunity to take AP classes online, but, since I can’t take the AP exam until May, what is recommended…

This year I took (and my grade):
Chemistry Honors (A)
English 2 Honors (A)
Spanish 3 Honors (A)
Algebra 2 Honors (B)
Psychology/ Sociology (A in each class)
World History Honors (A)

Over the summer I plan to take:
Spanish 4 Honors
Driver’s Ed
Some-other 0.5 credit elective

Here’s what I’m taking next year (Junior year):
AP Chemistry
AP English Language and Composition
AP Spanish Language and Culture (Online)
Pre-Calculus Honors (Math is not my greatest subject)
Choir 1
Color Guard 1
AP United States History
AP Psychology (Online)
AP Human Geography (Online)

At my school, there is a limit to taking 3 online classes at a time so that people don’t become overwhelmed.

My senior I plan to take (but subject to change):
AP Biology
AP English Literature and Composition
AP AB Calculus (I originally planned to take Pre-Calculus online, then I would take this my junior year, and then BC Calculus my senior year. However, math is my weak area. BC Calculus has to be taken online only at my school.)
AP Microeconomics/ AP United States Government and Politics
Dual Enrollment Abnormal Psychology
Choir 2
AP Statistics (Online)
AP Computer Science A (Online)
AP Environmental Science (Online)

I still want to take:
AP Art History (0.5 credits)
AP European History (0.5 credits)
AP Macroeconomics (0.5 credits)

Should I take these online during the summer, considering the AP exams aren’t until May? How would I prepare for these exams?

Other questions:

What is the difference between the SAT and the ACT?
How do I score high on both, considering I’ve taken neither before.

Should I take SAT Subject Tests? Are they useful?

What are CLEP tests? Should I take them?

In general, what do I need to get my associates degree before I finish high school?

2

Why on earth do you want your associate’s degree before you finish high school? It would take a lot of extra commitment during the school year, much of which conflicts with school. In addition, it would require you to apply to colleges as a transfer student, which GREATLY lowers your chances of getting admitted. You take classes at a community college (about 20) for an associate’s degree, and AP classes do not count for this.

The SAT is more vocabulary and critical analysis based, while the ACT is more of a time crunch and has (slightly) higher-level math; in addition, it has a science section (which is just reading graphs and charts–even if you’re good at science, you’re not necessarily good at ACT science!). Take practice tests for both, figure out which you like better, and buy either the Blue Book (SAT) or Red Book (ACT) to start with (or borrow them from a library, or something along those lines). That’s the best way to prep. If you need additional books, get them, but the Blue Book and the Red Book are made by the makers of the tests, so they are the best practice tests.

Definitely take SAT subject tests; many colleges require at least two, and I’d do some research into some of the colleges you’re thinking about to figure out which subject tests you need to take.

From what I can tell, CLEP exams are tests that can be used to give you college credit. I’ve never heard of a high-schooler taking them, though (and I go to a very, very competitive high school).

(Also, nice to find a fellow guard girl (or soon-to-be guard girl) on here!)

3

Your junior Year schedule is good, as well as your post-sophomore year summer schedule. Remember though that for colleges who ask “what did you do over the last summers”, “study” is not a good answer, so you need to make sure you set time aside to do things with your family, have fun, explore with friends, etc. It doesn’t need to be off the wall or out of this world - “I planned my grandmother’s 60h birthday with all my cousins” is an acceptable answer, especially if you can detail what you did to make that celebration happen.
However, rather than taking AP classes online after junior year, what about taking two community college classes over the summer (or one or two summer classes from a 4-year university if one is nearby). Indeed, selective colleges consider that he best predictor of college success is… early success in college classes (duh). So having a couple of those is always a plus. Since you like art history, you could take an art history class, plus an “original”, “interesting” class.

SAT and ACT are different. The SAT is changing, so start studying for the PSAT (this is a scholarship competition, so if you do very well on it, you can win scholarships to various universities).
http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2015/03/23/redesigned-psat-test
All juniors take the PSAT.
SAT vs. ACT: the SAT has English (grammar, vocabulary, writing), Critical Reading, and Math. The ACT has English, Critical Reading, and Math, but also has a science reasoning section and writing is separate from English. Borrow books from your library, one for each test, and follow their directions, then take one test of each in the Fall of junior year. Depending on the one you like best, work very hard at that one - colleges don’t care whether you choose one or the other.
SAT Subjects are 1-hour tests about specific subjects. Top colleges want to see 2, except Georgetown that wants 3, and having 3 is always useful. Pick different subjects.
CLEP is not useful to you.
Are you attending a lower-performing school? Are you trying to do all this on your own because your guidance counselors aren’t used to your level of performance or because you are trying to “get ahead”?