---
title: What are AP Exams, and how do they differ from the SAT and PSAT?
description: "Advanced Placement (AP) Exams are subject-specific assessments administered by the College Board. They test knowledge and skills in individual subjects, such as Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science and Economics. The SAT is a standardised test used by participating universities to…"
url: "https://www.collegeaccessprogram.in/faq/what-are-ap-exams-and-how-do-they-differ-from-the-sat-and-psat/"
updated: "2026-10-27"
category: Understanding Standardized Tests
---

# What are AP Exams, and how do they differ from the SAT and PSAT?

Advanced Placement (AP) Exams are subject-specific assessments administered by the College Board. They test knowledge and skills in individual subjects, such as Calculus, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science and Economics.
The SAT is a standardised test used by participating universities to assess college-readiness skills, particularly in Reading and Writing and Mathematics. The PSAT is a related assessment used for practice and, for eligible students in the US, certain scholarship-related purposes.
The key difference is that AP Exams assess subject knowledge, whereas the SAT assesses broader academic skills. Neither automatically replaces the other, and requirements vary by university.