Advanced Placement (AP) Subject Tests, formerly known as SAT Subject Tests, were standardized assessments designed to measure a student’s knowledge and skills in specific academic areas. The Common Application is a standardized undergraduate college admission application used by over 900 colleges and universities in the United States and internationally. The intersection of these two lies in how performance on these subject tests was historically considered as part of a holistic application review.
Historically, scores from the subject tests offered supplementary information to colleges, potentially showcasing a student’s mastery in particular subjects beyond what might be evident from their high school coursework alone. They could highlight areas of strength, especially in competitive applicant pools. The consideration of such scores varied significantly across institutions, with some highly selective schools requiring or recommending them, while others placed less emphasis or ignored them entirely. Some students might have utilized strong results to compensate for perceived weaknesses in other parts of their application.
