<p>He will take Math 2, and either physics or chemistry–both of which he did as APs. Interesting about the comment that the physics is tricky. He’s fortunate in that his taking an organic chemistry class with his AP chemistry teacher (a high school chem teacher with a PhD a la Walter White) and there’s a lot of review so that might be the one. </p>
<p>Then it’s the American history and/or Latin. He took APUSH and that’s being reinforced a bit by AP Gov. It’s his 3rd year of Latin and when he looked at some of the questions, he said he hadn’t had the subjunctive yet, so maybe later in the year or at the end. I pointed out to him that since he’s studying a dead language he doesn’t have to do a listening component </p>
<p>And it’s all a question of timing of these and the regular APs.</p>
<p>But my question: According to the College Board, the AP tests cover college level material, and the SAT Subject tests cover high school level material. Why do you have to take and submit a subject test if you have already done well on the equivalent AP? That doesn’t make sense. I know it’s more revenue for the College Board, but why would a college want the subject test if there’s an AP?</p>
<p>Because there’s no logic to college admissions and as you say, it creates a greater revenue stream for CB.</p>
<p>I don’t actually think that it’s as stark a contrast as all that: Reviews were that the U.S. History SAT subject test coverage was virtually identical to the AP exam, the key difference being the essays on the AP. English literature was easier on the AP than on the subject test.</p>
<p>If you plan to leverage AP study and take the SAT Subject concurrently, it’s a good a idea to check College Boards’s SAT Subject Test Preparation [url=<a href=“The SAT – SAT Suite | College Board”>The SAT – SAT Suite | College Board]website[/url</a>] to see how well SAT subject test rubric aligns with AP. There may be additional topics on the SAT subject test that aren’t covered in the AP curriculum. (e.g., When my D1 took SAT Chem, back in 2010 she needed to self-prep for electrochemistry because it wasn’t covered in her AP class. Interestingly, that topic no longer appears on the SATII-Chem rubric.) </p>
<p>It’s also a good idea to do some test-specific practice, if only to review the rules and get a handle on the pacing for each test.</p>
<p>Mihcal1, Aware of the Latin twice a year, which would give him more prep from this year’s Latin. </p>
<p>I’m not saying drop the subject tests, and I know that kids don’t take some APs until senior year. I’m just wondering why a college wouldn’t accept the AP for those who have taken it. It’s not like the college is getting any revenue from the test. I assume there is a high, if not perfect, correlation between the APs and subject tests. </p>
<p>And on this page, [About</a> the Tests - What is the SAT & SAT Subject Tests](<a href=“The SAT – SAT Suite | College Board”>The SAT – SAT Suite | College Board) there is a drop down menu in the section labeled “Should you take an SAT Subject Test?” that outlines the skills and knowledge for each test.</p>
<p>I agree that the admissions process has some irrationalities and inconsistencies, the Univeristy of Chcago, for instance, doesn’t require subject tests but has those oddball extra essay question, but it’s a lot better than days before the common app when there was no Internet and you had to rely on that fat College Board guide to colleges and snail mailed paper catalogs. </p>
<p>When my daughter, college class of 2016, was a freshman her school had published its last ever printed catalog. Keeping it as a collectors item.</p>
<p>Please do not let your student take SAT subject tests lightly. The nature of the Elite / Ivy schools requiring ( around 50) SAT subject test reduces the population taking these tests. Only students striving for the “elites” sit these tests- and will be a " smarter" group than those sitting AP tests where a broader type of student presents for the exam.</p>
<p>Sitting 3 tests in one sitting is doable. My advise would be to spread the tests out- 2 at max and encourage your student to approach the test with respect.</p>
<p>I mentioned before that I attended a parents info session for the SAT prep class that d2 is taking. The presenter stressed the importance of these SAT subject tests and that students should be prepared for them.</p>
<p>AP scores are formally reported to the registrar’s office, not to admissions. Admissions see only self-reported AP scores. SAT Subject test scores are sent to admissions offices. (All score reports are sent electronically if at all possible these days, and the reports that go to admissions offices are seamlessly integrated into the student’s electronic file. The same is probably true for the registrar’s office too once the student enrolls.) The tests have different content and different formats and are for a different purpose. One is not a substitute for the other. Admissions offices use the knowledge of AP tests (COMBINED WITH COURSE WORK) to confirm that the student is pursuing his or her studies at a high level and is a serious student. That’s about it.</p>
<p>So speaking of tests, D wants to pursue French in some capacity. She is currently in pre-AP French 4. Does anybody know if she can then take the SATII for French after this year? Also, any opinions on whether to include the listening portion? I think she may want to avoid that part if she can. (It’s what always “gets” her on the National French Exam.)</p>
<p>Anybody’s kid taking AP physics B? I am just checking in to see how it’s going. So far things seem to be going well- but it’s only week 2 LOL! She is the kind of kid that asks tons of questions and is not afraid to ask, thank goodness. Tomorrow she is staying for extra help because they are reviewing for Thursdays quiz. I just praised her because she hasn’t had any meltdowns so far. She said she’s really trying!!</p>
<p>Suzy I think the listening part is what gets them all- at least that’s what I have been told.</p>
<p>Spoke too soon- she is having a mini melt down!! Seems that everything is starting to hit now. Her Spanish assignment is annoying, there was a math problem that took long to figure out ( still working on it), she feels she should have taken AP chem instead of AP physics, etc. Just a little while ago physics was fine; now the whole class is clueless blah blah blah. Then she burst into tears because she can’t stand the sound of my husband’s chewing. One minute she is great, the next minute she is crazed. </p>
<p>Thank goodness for our little group- it’s my therapy. Literally five minutes ago she loved her math class- then suddenly a problem took longer than usual and it threw her into a tizzy. Right now she seems ok- for now LOl. </p>
<p>She is very very intense. She has her meltdowns and then recovers. I am drained! It’s going to be a very long year!</p>
<p>Twogirls - Awwww! You made me laugh with annoyed by her dad’s chewing. Poor thing. I have friends with kids that get stressed out pretty often and I really feel for you - it’s so draining to try to talk them off the ledge every so often. </p>
<p>My S is in physics B also. They just had a test today about kinetics, but they’re in about week 5 I think. It sounds like your D always ends up doing well but I’m sorry it’s so stressful along the way! For my kids, I think AP Chem is harder than AP Physics, but I think that totally depends on the kid and also on the teacher and how hard they make it.</p>
<p>My daughter tends to create her own stress- she does her homework every night and studies all of her notes from each class as though she was having a test. Then she goes ahead and starts to review what is going to be taught the next day- not necessary. She has these meltdowns all the time- but they are getting better. She needs to get over her perfectionism- it’s not easy.</p>
<p>I also think AP chem is harder for my D than physics, esp. physics B shouldn’t be too bad. twogirls, I’m sure your D. will do great. </p>
<p>This year D is taking 4 APs, and a lot of ECs. but somehow it feels better than this time last year. When I think about it, I realized there are two factors that make this year easier - she is not taking AP chem this year, (she did last year) and she is not doing marching band (she did it the past two years.)</p>
<p>Physics B is supposed to be a hard class in our school- but she really needs to stop listening to what other kids tell her because everybody is different. So far she understands the material and learns quickly. There is one " thing" that they all find confusing but it should be cleared up tomorrow during class and extra help. She has a very good teacher. </p>
<p>She gets very very loud when stressed- and it turns into a meltdown. Intensity is her middle name- she is like a volcano. Right now I will count my blessings because as fast as her meltdown came, that’s how fast it disappeared and now she is happy. Meanwhile my older one is happy go lucky all the time. Like I always say- mix them together and you will get a normal kid- whatever that means!</p>
<p>Now it’s 10 pm and she claims to have 2 more hours left of studying for math and physics. Not sure whether to believe her. Sorry for rambling.</p>
<p>I think when fall sports end she will be happy, even though she loves playing and it acts like a stress reliever for her. Maxwell- marching band was probably very time consuming. </p>
<p>She only takes 2 AP classes- the rest are honors and IB ( English). She just informed me that her friend takes 4 AP classes and goes to bed each night after 2am. My daughter’s IB English class is not stressful for her- so far it’s a review. She is actually a year ahead of the other kids. </p>
<p>Mine turned off her light 15 minutes ago at 10…and we just got home from a vball game at 8:30. I think she must have gotten a lot done during the games she wasn’t playing.</p>
<p>Mine goes to bed at 10:30. He’s playing guitar and singing right now. I set an expectation that he do 2 hours of school work a day 6 days a week (none on Fridays). I’d say he comes close most days but not all 6 days. If you include walking upstairs, going to the bathroom, Getting a snack, adjusting his old, etc.</p>
Poor thing. I have friends with kids that get stressed out pretty often and I really feel for you - it’s so draining to try to talk them off the ledge every so often. </p>
I set an expectation that he do 2 hours of school work a day 6 days a week (none on Fridays). I’d say he comes close most days but not all 6 days. If you include walking upstairs, going to the bathroom, Getting a snack, adjusting his old, etc.</p>