What Exactly Is a Pyromaniac

What Exactly Is a Pyromaniac Addiction Addictive Behaviors Print Pyromania Causes and Treatment By Amy Morin, LCSW facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our editorial policy Amy Morin, LCSW Updated on February 14, 2020    Rolfo Brenner / EyeEm / Getty Images More in Addiction Addictive Behaviors Caffeine Internet Shopping Sex Alcohol Use Drug Use Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery Despite culture’s flippant treatment of the term “pyromaniac”â€" often jokingly shortened to “pyro” or termed “firebug”â€" people with pyromania have a serious mental health condition.?? Pyromania is characterized by intentionally and repetitively setting fires â€" and doing so compulsively. Pyromaniacs feel unable to stop the behavior. Setting a fire releases inner tension or anxiety and gives the person a rush of pleasure or relief. Symptoms The latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) files pyromania in the disruptive, impulse-control, and conduct disorders section.?? The essential feature of pyromania is the presence of multiple episodes of deliberate and purposeful fire setting. In addition, individuals with pyromania experience tension and affective arousal before setting a fire. Other symptoms may include: A fascination with fire, which may include interest, curiosity, and attraction to fire and fire setting paraphernalia.??Watching fires in the neighborhood, setting off false alarms, or gaining pleasure from institutions, equipment,  and personnel with fireSpending time at a local fire department, setting fires to be affiliated with the fire department, or becoming a firefighter.Experiencing pleasure, gratification, or relief when starting a fire, witnessing the effects, and participating in the aftermath People with pyromania do not set fires for monetary gain. They also aren’t trying to conceal criminal activity, gain vengeance, or improve their living situation. The symptoms also cannot be in response to delusions or hallucinations. The fire setting also cannot stem from impaired judgment, such as an intellectual disability. The diagnosis also won’t be made if the behavior is better explained by another mental illness, such as conduct disorder or antisocial personality disorder or if it occurs during a manic episode. People with pyromania may make considerable advance preparation for setting fires. They may be indifferent to whether anyone is physically or financially harmed or they may gain pleasure from the destruction they cause. Pyromaniacs vs. Arsonists A pyromaniac might hoard matches and lighters, burn holes in fabric, rugs, or furniture and set fire to pieces of paper or other flammable materials. They may seem obsessed with setting fires. But, pyromaniacs don’t have a desire to harm anyone and they aren’t looking for monetary gains from the fires they set. So while an arsonist may burn down someone’s house to get revenge or to try and collect insurance money, pyromaniacs are doing it purely for the emotional benefits they gain from starting fires.     Causes There isnt a single known cause of pyromania.?? Research suggests there might be a genetic link and it may be similar to a behavioral addiction.?? It’s not known exactly  how many people have pyromania. Researchers estimate it  only affects a very small portion of the population, however. The lifetime prevalence of fire setting is reported to be 1.1 percent of the populationâ€"and that’s only one component of pyromania. So it’s likely there are far fewer people who meet the full criteria for a diagnosis. When researchers examined individuals in the criminal system who had exhibited repeat fire-setting behaviors, they found only 3.3 percent of that population met the full criteria for pyromania. People who have certain other mental illnesses may be at a higher risk than the general population. People with a gambling disorder, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder, and antisocial personality disorder may be more likely to be pyromaniacs.?? The condition appears in both males and femalesâ€"though it’s significantly more common in malesâ€"and people of any age, even as young as 3 years old.   It’s more common in people who have learning disabilities or lack social skills, and there are environmental factors in play, too. Pyromania has been associated with people who have been sexually or physically abused, or suffer parental neglect or abandonment. People who have a history of crime also tend to display more fire-setting tendencies. For example, more than 19 percent of those diagnosed with pyromania has been charged with vandalism at least once, and around 18 percent have been found guilty of non-violent sexual offenses.   Pyromania in Children Fire setting is a major problem in young people.?? More than 40 percent of individuals arrested for arson in the United States are under the age of 18. But, few of those young people meet the criteria for pyromania. There isn’t a typical age of onset for pyromania. It may be identified during childhood but it’s not clear if pyromania lasts into adulthood. Fire-setting behaviors often come and go in people with pyromania. So a child who exhibits symptoms of pyromania may seem to get better over time before engaging in fire setting again. Pyromania may be identified during childhood. Family, friends, or teachers may be among the first people to recognize a child seems obsessed with fire. Fire setting in adolescents is often associated with conduct disorder, ADHD, or an adjustment disorder.?? Treatment Immediate treatment of suspected pyromania is key to avoid the risk of injury, property damage, jail time or even death. The sole method of treatment for pyromania is cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches a person to acknowledge the feelings of tension that can lead to setting fires and finding a safer way to release that tension.?? Family members who are concerned about an individual who seems obsessed with fire might benefit from family counseling. Family therapy can help loved ones understand the disorder while also teaching them how to keep the family safe. At this point, there haven’t been any controlled trials of medication for pyromania, though proposed medical treatments include the use of SSRIs, antiepileptic medications, atypical antipsychotics, lithium, and anti-androgens. Therefore, cognitive behavioral therapy is considered the only viable treatment option at this time. A Word From Verywell Pyromania isn’t a joking matter, nor is it something to treat lightly. Potential pyromaniacs should seek help immediately to keep themselves, as well everyone in their lives and in their community, safe from harm or damage.

Financial analysis of the performance of burberry Free Essay Example, 2500 words

Additionally, the company is buoyed by the platforms in the emerging countries to drive their earnings both in growth and volume. We will base our strategic analysis of the company on four distinct factors. These are; the existing strengths, the existing weaknesses, the existing opportunities and the existing threat. From a review of the previous performance of the company, the focus that is currently being given to the distribution on licensing in countries like Japan, Spain and the United States has left the company with a low gearing ratio (Proctor, 2012). However, through the current strategy of expansion of sales of Burberry brand and the seizure of opportunities aimed at capturing a greater share of the brand value chain presents numerous opportunities enhancing future value creation. To this end, it would be worth noting that the business model employed by the company possess characteristics of both retail and luxury goods companies. Table of Contents Cover Executive Summary Introduction Section 1 – Identifying the vision and strategy of the organization Section 2 – Balanced Score Card (BSC) Diagrammatic Representation of Balanced Score Card Section 3 – Strategy Map Section 4 – Recommendation Section 5 – Critical discussion and evaluation of the Use of Balanced Scorecard References Appendices 1 2 4 5 5 7 8 9 8 9 13 14 Introduction Created in 1956, Burberry Group plc continues to be a global luxury fashion brand and boasts of a history of 158 years. We will write a custom essay sample on Financial analysis of the performance of burberry or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now The company specializes in manufacturing a wide variety of products which include accessories, beauty for men, luxury apparel, with men and children being a major business item of the company. The market for the company’s products is spread out to regions including Americas, Asia pacific and Europe with its stock being listed on the London Stock Exchange with the principle business being investment. This report will be applying the appropriate accounting techniques to critically analyzing financial data in the context of a variety of business decision making instances while at the same time making informal judgments from such accounting analyses. Section 1 – Identifying the Vision and Strategy of the Organization The vision of Burberry from its financial statements is; â€Å"To be the leading company that is fully digital across the globe† (Burberry Plc ‘Annual Report 2012/2013). The group strategy of Burberry is marked by a combination of both leading market position and a strong franchise in the established countries in addition to employing the use the platforms from the emerging countries in order to drive earnings both in the form of growth and volumes.

The Cold War - 825 Words

Essay 2 Prompt # 2: The Risk of Incomplete Information Despite its name, the Cold War did not actually involve military fighting between the United States and the Soviet Union. However, the Cold War is still an excellent example as to why war can be a result of bargaining failures and explains reasons as to why war occurs. A single person’s rationality can tip the scale between war and peace. The Cold War was essentially a deadlock between the two super powers of that time, the United States and the Soviet Union. Both states expressed desire to maintain and widen their respective spheres of influence around the world. Both states also wanted to prove that their political system is superior; whereas the United States was pro-democracy, the Soviet Union was pro-communism. Although the Cold War was a result of many factor, war can definitely occur due to information problems between two states. Nonetheless, I do believe there is always a range of agreements that is possible between states, as is evidenced by the resolution of the Cub an missile crisis. Knowledge plays a key role in a state’s decision, and erroneous decisions that lead to war often occur due to lack of information. One of the greatest examples that emphasize the importance of information and human rationality was during Cuban Missile Crisis. An article published by The New York Times, written by Neil Genzlinger, highlights the Cuban missile crisis, and how close the United States and the Soviet Union were on theShow MoreRelatedThe War Of The Cold War1644 Words   |  7 PagesThe Cold War was a state of political and military tension stemming from World War II fought primarily between the United States and the Soviet Union. Although the start and end dates of the Cold War are frequently disputed over, it is generally accepted that the conflict started at the conclusion of the Second World War and stemmed from the social climate and lingering tensions in Europe and the increasing power struggles between the Soviet Union and the United State s. Along with economic separationRead MoreThe War Of The Cold War Essay1525 Words   |  7 PagesOne major war ended and another to begin. The Cold war lasted about 45 years. There were no direct military campaigns between the United States and Soviet Union. However, billions of dollars and millions of lives were lost. The United States emerged as the greatest power from World War 2. (Give Me Liberty 896) The country boasted about having the most powerful navy and air force. The United states accounted for about half of the world’s manufacturing capacity, which it alone created the atomic bombRead MoreThe War Of The Cold War757 Words   |  4 PagesAs tensions continued to augment profoundly throughout the latter half of the Cold War period, they brought forth a movement from a previous bipolar conflicting course, to one of a more multipolar nature. These tensions were now not only restricted to the Soviet Union and United states, but amongst multiple other nations of the g lobe. It became a general consensus that a notion of ‘peace’ was sought globally, hence, the emergence of dà ©tente. The nature of this idea in the short term conveyed itselfRead MoreThe War Of The Cold War961 Words   |  4 Pages1945, beginning year of the Cold War. The development of cold war just started after the end of world War ||. The cold war was the result of conflict between two powerful country Soviet Union and United State. The war was regarding to the lead the world after the World War ||. The Soviet Union wanted to emerge its power to the world and so do the United States too. The research paper mainly focused on various reasons of opposition of two great power of the world Soviets and United States of AmericaRead MoreThe War Of The Cold War1636 Words   |  7 PagesThe U.S. learned greatly after having been declared the victor of the Cold War. Retired four-star U.S. Army general Colin Powell said, â€Å"The long bitter years of the Cold War are over . America and her allies have won; totally, decisively, and overwhelmingly† (Reed 343). The Cold War started after World War II in 1947 and ended in 1991. The U.S. underwent a political war with the Soviet Union in hopes of advancing more rapidly in certain fields, such as nuclear weapons and space crafts. Avoiding nuclearRead MoreThe War Of The Cold War886 Words   |  4 Pagesin an infamous battle against ideologies: The Cold War. Even though war took place during this time, both powers were not involved in battle directly, hence the name cold war. The war mainly consisted of assumed and implied threats of nuclear attacks and political control over states in Europe. Even before 1945, the beginning of the Cold War, tension brewed between the U.S and the U.S.S.R. Both sides had differing views on Europe s state after the war. For instance, programs like the Marshall PlanRead MoreThe War Of The Cold War Essay1075 Words   |  5 PagesDuring World War II, the United States, Br itain, and Russia all worked together to take down Hitler. Although after the war, the coordination between the U.S. and Russia became extremely tense which inevitably lead to the Cold War. The U.S. was worried that Russia would spread communism after World War II. Russia was concerned with the U.S. arms increase and intervention in international affairs. The distrust between the two nations resulted in the Cold war which lasted until 1991. In 1946, WinstonRead MoreThe War Of The Cold War1052 Words   |  5 PagesThe Cold War was a result of what happened at the end of World War 2. At the end of World War 2, the Soviets held a grudge against the U.S for their delayed entrance in the World War resulting in deaths of thousands of Russians resulting in the appearance of the Cold War .The Cuban Missile Crisis was a significant flashpoint in the Cold War because it was the moment two superpowers came closest to nuclear conflict. This crisis, while posing the very real threat of global annihilation, also led toRead MoreThe War Of The Cold War942 Words   |  4 PagesFeelings Do Matter At the close of World War Two in 1945, the United States entered another kind of war, the Cold War, which did not involve two adversaries in open battle fields using bullets against the Soviet Union. Throughout the Cold War, incidents fueled feelings of anxiety, mistrust and pride. Often pride is defined as â€Å"a feeling that you are more important or better than other people† (Pride). Mistrust on the other hand is the â€Å"feeling that someone is not honest and cannot be trusted†,Read MoreThe War Of The Cold War1737 Words   |  7 Pages Cold War The Cold War, which is often dated from 1945 to 1989, was a constant state of political and military tension between powers in the West, dominated by the United States with NATO among its allies, and powers in the East, dominated by the Soviet Union along with the Warsaw Pact. The development of Nuclear Weapons and long range shooting missiles by the United States gave a lot of fear and caused mass destruction. The Cold War came about after World War II when America used their atomic bombs

5 Ways of St. Thomas Free Essays

First Way:Â  The Argument From Motion St. Thomas Aquinas, studying the works of the Greek philsopher Aristotle, concluded from common observation that an object that is in motion (e. g. We will write a custom essay sample on 5 Ways of St. Thomas or any similar topic only for you Order Now the planets, a rolling stone) is put in motion by some other object or force. From this, Aquinas believes that ultimately there must have been an UNMOVED MOVER (GOD) who first put things in motion. Follow the agrument this way: 1) Nothing can move itself. 2) If every object in motion had a mover, then the first object in motion needed a mover. 3) This first mover is the Unmoved Mover, called God. Second Way:Â  Causation Of Existence This Way deals with the issue of existence. Aquinas concluded that common sense observation tells us that no object creates itself. In other words, some previous object had to create it. Aquinas believed that ultimately there must have been an UNCAUSED FIRST CAUSE (GOD) who began the chain of existence for all things. Follow the agrument this way: 1) There exists things that are caused (created) by other things. 2) Nothing can be the cause of itself (nothing can create itself. ) 3) There can not be an endless string of objects causing other objects to exist. 4) Therefore, ther must be an uncaused first cause called God. Third Way:Â  Contingent and Neccessary Objects This Way defines two types of objects in the universe: contingent beings and necessary beings. A contingent being is an object that can not exist without a necessary being causing its existence. Aquinas believed that the existence of contingent beings would ultimately neccesitate a being which must exist for all of the contingent beings to exist. This being, called a necessary being, is what we call God. Follow the argument this way: 1) Contingent beings are caused. 2) Not every being can be contingent. 3) There must exist a being which is necessary to cause contingent beings. ) This necessary being is God. Fourth Way:Â  The Agrument From Degrees And Perfection St. Thomas formulated this Way from a very interesting observation about the qualities of things. For example one may say that of two marble scultures one is more beautiful than the other. So for these two objects, one has a greater degree of beauty than the next. This is referr ed to as degrees or gradation of a quality. From this fact Aquinas concluded that for any given quality (e. g. goodness, beauty, knowledge) there must be an perfect standard by which all such qualities are measured. These perfections are contained in God. Fifth Way:Â  The Agrument From Intelligent Design The final Way that St. Thomas Aquinas speaks of has to do with the observable universe and the order of nature. Aquinas states that common sense tells us that the universe works in such a way, that one can conclude that is was designed by an intelligent designer, God. In other words, all physical laws and the order of nature and life were designed and ordered by God, the intellgent designer. A more complete explanation of St. Thomas’ Fifth Way about God as Intelligent Designer can be seen on my web page dedicated to Paley’s Teleological Argument. How to cite 5 Ways of St. Thomas, Papers

Vicious Cycle The Flipside of Brazils Agricultural Expansionist Policies

Introduction Being the fifth largest country in the world both in terms of geographical size and population, Brazil epitomizes the ongoing global tension pitying biodiversity preservation against agricultural sustainability and economic development.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Vicious Cycle: The Flipside of Brazil’s Agricultural Expansionist Policies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Available statistics demonstrate that Brazil is a critical emerging economic power with a GDP of US$604.0 billion and a GDP per capita of US$3,326.21 in 2004, and that the country’s environment is one of the richest in the world not only because its fauna and flora is found nowhere else on earth, but also due to the fact that its ecosystems contain in excess of 15 percent of the plant and animal species known to science (European Commission, 2007). Holding up to 12 percent of the available freshwater world wide, the country is undoubtedly one of leading producers of food and biofuels in Latin America and globally (Ferreira et al., 2012). But while Brazil continues to play an increasingly important role in the global challenge to supply food to a growing and more affluent human population through agricultural expansion activities, hence driving rapid economic development, available literature demonstrates that such events have also had significant adverse impacts on biodiversity and the conservation of ecosystem services in the country (Ferreira et al., 2012). This paper borrows from Ascher and Healy’s (1990) concept of vicious cycle to demonstrate how Brazil may be sucked into the vicious cycle, entailing economic production, the environment, income distribution and resources, if policies are not put in place to address adverse impacts caused by agricultural expansion. Understanding the Vicious Cycle the Brazilian Problem In their influential reading, Ascher and Healy (1990) e mploy the vicious cycle metaphor, which essentially is a circular constellation of forces tending to act and react upon one another in such a manner as to keep a poor country in a state of poverty, to demonstrate the complex interrelationships among four critical facets of sociophysical production namely economic production, distribution of income, natural resources, and the environment. In the four key attributes, economic production is described as the level, source, and composition of the goods and services generated by the economy at any point in time, while income distribution is perceived as including functional distribution, size distribution among recipients of diverse income levels, distribution of in-kind income such as government services or gratification from environmental quality, as well as regional income distribution.Advertising Looking for critical writing on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn Mor e Likewise, natural resources have been described as a broad assortment of substantial natural endowments such as land, water, timber and minerals, while environment refers to the natural systems that provide the background or surroundings for human activity (Ascher Healy, 1990). Unlike other less advanced and developing countries, Brazil is on the verge of achieving long-term economic development that is partially fuelled by effective exploitation of natural resources (Ferreira et al., 2012), which not only include â€Å"the dense tropical rainforests of the Amazon, but also the important biomes of the Savannah-like Cerrado, the arid scrublands of the Caatinga, the Atlantic Forest, the grasslands of the Pampa and the wetlands of the Pantanal† (European Commission, 2007 p. 11). Reports released by The Economist (2010) and Food Agriculture Organization (2012), cited in Ferreira et al. (2007), show that the phenomenal expansion of Brazilian agriculture has been at the core o f its most recent economic expansion, corresponding to 28% of the country total exports. However, as demonstrated by these authors, â€Å"there are rising concerns about the threats that these changes represent to Brazil’s globally significant biological wealth, including widespread deforestation and clearance of native vegetation, and rapid increases in the use of fertilizers, pesticides and other agricultural chemical supplies† (p. 535-536). This observation, in my viewpoint, has the capacity to ignite a complex vicious cycle which will ultimately cut across two or more attributes of sociophysical production Exposing the Adverse Relationships Ascher Healy (1990) have taken considerable effort to demonstrate the interrelationships between the various facets, such as the vicious cycle between economic development and environment and vicious cycle between economic development and income distribution. In the Brazilian context, for example, it is evident that attempts by government and other stakeholders to enhance the country’s economic development through agricultural expansion have continued to generate a multiplicity of environmental externalities, such as reduction of biological diversity, soil erosion in rural farming areas, watershed damage, depletion of natural resources, soil and habitat degradation due to continued use of harmful pesticides, rise of slum areas, as well as health-related conditions brought about by overcrowding and increasing lead emissions from automobiles (Carneiro Danton 2011; Ferreira et al., 2012).Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Vicious Cycle: The Flipside of Brazil’s Agricultural Expansionist Policies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In the same vein, it emerges that the urge to achieve sustained economic development has catapulted policymakers into availing vast tracts of previously virgin land for cultivation aimed at increasing agricultural yield. Although a sizeable proportion of farmers are employing modern practices to increase acreage and agricultural output, many are still using poisonous pesticides and farming practices that contribute substantially to soil erosion and degradation. Consequently, it can be suggested that a vicious cycle between economic development and environmental degradation has already set in. But more importantly, environmental policymakers in Brazil should realize that another vicious cycle between economic development and income distribution will set in the near future as long as farmers in North-East regions of the country continue to use harmful farming practices to expand their agricultural production and benefit from international food markets. When agriculture will no longer be sustainable due to ongoing poor farming practices, these farmers will lose their economic backbone, and hence, the income inequalities will increase. Conversely, it can be argued that th ese farmers will not only lack the capacity to take care of their social and health needs but will also continue to haphazardly exploit available natural resources for economic gain, resulting in a vicious cycle that will have major adverse impacts on biodiversity and the conservation of ecosystem services in the country. Way Forward The way forward for environmental policymakers in Brazil, therefore, is to put in place strong institutional policies for managing resources and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector. The government, in conjunction with relevant stakeholders, must act with immediacy to break the vicious cycle between economic development and environmental degradation by coming up with educational and awareness programs targeting farmers who use inferior farming methods to enhance their agricultural output.Advertising Looking for critical writing on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Additionally, it is imperative for the government to develop clear management objectives and sufficient implementation capacity of the existing policies to ensure that the beneficial urge to achieve economic development through agricultural expansion does not shift into unwarranted destruction of the country’s strikingly rich biodiversity and ecosystem. These interventions, in my view, will arrest the vicious cycle before it gains momentum towards a hazardous level. References Ascher. W., Healy, R.G. (1990). Natural resource policymaking in developing countries: Environment, economic growth, and income distribution. Durham, North Carolina: Duke University Press. Carneiro, M.J., Danton, T. (2011). Agriculture and biodiversity in the Brazilian social sciences: A possible state-of-the-art scenario. Innovation: The European Journal of Social Sciences, 24(3), 225-246. European Commission. (2007). Country strategy paper 2007-2013. Web. Ferreira, J., Pardini, R., Metzger, J.P., Fo nseca, C.R., Pompeu, P.S., Sparovek, G., Louzada, J. (2012). Towards environmentally sustainable agriculture in Brazil: Challenges and opportunities for applied ecological research. Journal of Applied Ecology, 49(3), 535-541. This critical writing on Vicious Cycle: The Flipside of Brazil’s Agricultural Expansionist Policies was written and submitted by user Cheyanne Q. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The Aufbau Principleâ€Definition, Rules and Exceptions

The Aufbau Principle- Definition, Rules and Exceptions The Aufbau principle, simply put, means electrons are added to orbitals as protons are added to an atom. The term comes from the German word aufbau, which means built up or construction. Lower electron orbitals fill before higher orbitals do, building up the electron shell. The end result is that the atom, ion, or molecule forms the most stable electron configuration. The Aufbau principle outlines the rules used to determine how electrons organize into shells and subshells around the atomic nucleus. Electrons go into the subshell having the lowest possible energy.An orbital can hold at most 2 electrons obeying the Pauli exclusion principle.Electrons obey Hunds rule, which states that electrons spread out before they pair up if there are two or more energetically equivalent orbitals (e.g., p, d). Aufbau Principle Exceptions Like most rules, there are exceptions.  Half-filled and completely filled d and f subshells add stability to atoms, so the d and f block elements dont always follow the principle. For example, the predicted Aufbau configuration for Cr is 4s23d4, but the observed configuration is actually 4s13d5. This actually reduces electron-electron repulsion in the atom, since each electron has its own seat in the subshell. Aufbau Rule Definition A related term is the Aufbau Rule, which states that the filling of different electron subshells is by order of increasing energy following the (n 1) rule. The nuclear shell model is a similar model that predicts the configuration of protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus.

AP Exams vs SAT Subject Tests Whats More Important

AP Exams vs SAT Subject Tests What's More Important SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Many high-achieving students end up taking both SAT Subject Tests and AP Tests during their time in high school. SAT Subject Tests are required for admission to mostcompetitive colleges, and AP Tests and coursework are encouraged. Is one more important than the other? In this article, I’ll give details on how these two types of tests compare to each another and whether it's a good idea to take AP Tests and SAT Subject Tests in the same topic areas. What's the Difference Between AP Tests and SAT Subject Tests? SAT Subject Tests are hour-long multiple-choice exams that are scored on a scale of 200 to 800.AP Tests consist of multiple choice and essay sections, last for several hours, and are scored on a scale of 1-5. Many more students take AP tests every year than SAT Subject Tests (2.3 million versus about 500,000). This is becauseAP Tests are tied directly to the corresponding Advanced Placement classes. In recent years, the AP program has spread to more and more high schools across the country. To get college credit for these classes, students must pass the tests. SAT Subject Tests are less popular because students only take them for certain selective colleges that ask for them in the application process. The most selective schools usually require or recommend two or three subject tests. These tests are not directly tied to specific classes, so students typically have more freedom in deciding which ones they want to take. SAT Subject Test scores can showcase your unique interests and talents on your college application. SAT Subject Tests are rarer than AP Tests. This red panda is also rare, but it's much cuter than anything the College Board will ever create. What Is the Purpose of an AP Test Compared to That of an SAT Subject Test? AP Tests measure a student’s mastery of college-level subject matterthrough questions that touch on the main points of a year-long AP curriculum.Your AP Test scores validate the hard work you did in class and confirm that you learned the material. The dean of admissions at Harvard says, "We have found that the best predictors [of grades] at Harvard are Advanced Placement tests and International Baccalaureate Exams, closely followed by the College Board subject tests."Students who do well on AP Tests are likely to be successful in college classes, so selective schools are interested in them for their predictive value. AP Test scores alsohelp admissions officers decide whether your grades are an accurate reflection of your academic ability. If you got a 1 on the test but an A in the class, the class was probably way too easy. If you got a 5 on the test but a B- in the class, the class was probably very challenging. This will affect the judgments that admissions officers make about your potential. Your AP scores also make a difference in whether or not you earn college credit for the work you did in your AP class.At most schools, an AP score of 4 or 5 will either lead to college credit or allow you to place out of introductory college courses. SAT Subject Tests are slightly different because they measure students’ readiness for college-level work. SAT Subject Tests are sometimes used to place students out of courses in college, but you can’t earn college credits for doing well on them. They're also less relevant for predicting college grades, although they still have some value. Since SAT Subject Tests don't correspond with specific classes on your transcript, they can be used to emphasize your abilities in the subjects that are most relevant to what you plan on studying in college. Colleges view subject tests as assessments of how much you learned in high school and where your academic strengths lie. High scores on AP Tests might allow you to ascend the college escalator more quickly. Are AP Tests Harder Than SAT Subject Tests? Most students find the material on AP Tests to be more difficult than the material on SAT Subject Tests because it's intended for students who are working at a college level. AP Tests also require more stamina.As a rule, essays are almost always harder than multiple-choice questions because you have to come up with an answer entirely on your own. Even within the multiple choice sections, AP Tests demand a deeper understanding of the material than SAT Subject Tests.They also require students to possess more in-depth knowledge and analytical abilities when it comes to interpreting primary source materials. Still, it is technically easier to get a 5 on an AP Test than an 800 on an SAT Subject Test. On most AP Tests, you can still earn a 5 if you get a fair amount of questions wrong, whereas there’s almost no room for error on subject tests if you want a perfect score.A student who gets 70% of questions correct and a student who gets 100% of questions correct may both end up with 5s on an AP test depending on how strong the curve is. However, this is deceptive, since the actual content and test format for AP Tests is significantly more difficult.A student who earns a high score like a 700 on a subject test might not get a 5 on an AP Test due to the greater complexity.I'll do a comparison with real questions to show you how the two tests differ. Come with me on this journey down two divergent paths that wind through the strange wasteland of Collegeboardia. Here’s a sample multiple-choice question from the US History SAT Subject Test: "If the Creator had separated Texas from the Union by mountain barriers, the Alps or the Andes, there might be plausible objections; but He has planed down the whole [Mississippi] Valley including Texas, and united every atom of the soil and every drop of the water of the mighty whole. He has linked their rivers with the great Mississippi, and marked and united the whole for the dominion of one government, the residence of one people." This quotation from the 1840's can be viewed as an expression of: A. The New NationalismB. popular sovereigntyC. Manifest DestinyD. the Good Neighbor PolicyE. the frontier thesis (the answer is C) And here’s a sample multiple-choice question from the AP US History Test (multiple choice questions refer to excerpts from primary sources): Excerpt: â€Å"We conclude that in the field of public education the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.† -Chief Justice Earl Warren, writing the unanimous opinion of the United States Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 1954 Which of the following was the most immediate result of the decision excerpted? A. Radicals critiqued government actions as doing too little to transform the racial status quo. B. Education advocates raised awareness of the effect of poverty on students’ opportunities. C. Civil rights activists became increasingly divided over tactical and philosophical issues. D. Segregationists in southern states temporarily closed many public schools in an effort to resist the decision. (the answer is D) Notice the differences between these two questions.The SAT Subject Test question is much more straightforward.It requires basic knowledge of terminology related to US History.Most students who took any standard class in US History would probably answer it correctly. The AP Test question, on the other hand, is more nuanced.It asks for the â€Å"most immediate† result of the Supreme Court decision.All of the answers are true to some degree, but only D reflects the â€Å"most immediate† initial response.This is tricky, and it requires students to think more carefully about the question.It expects a certain degree of advanced knowledge of larger trends related to racial tension in US History and when and how the responses of different groups to legislative changes played out. You can also see this difference between the two tests magnified in the open response section of the AP Test. Here’s an example of an AP open response question: Using your knowledge of United States history, answer parts a and b. a) Briefly explain why ONE of the following periods best represents the beginning of a democracy in the United States. Provide at least ONE piece of evidence from the period to support your explanation. Rise of political parties in the 1790s Development of voluntary organizations to promote social reforms between the 1820s and the 1840s Emergence of the Democrats and the Whigs as political parties in the 1830s b) Briefly explain why ONE of the other options is not as persuasive as the one you chose. This question requires students to formulate a coherent definition of American democracy, make a decision about which time period best exemplifies its roots (while backing up their point with historical knowledge), and refute a counterargument.This is college-level analytical thinking.You won’t encounter questions like this on an SAT Subject Test. Choose your responses carefully. Uncle Sam is watching. Should You Take SAT Subject Tests and AP Tests in the Same Subjects? Is it OK to take SAT Subject Tests and AP Tests in the same subject? Yes, colleges won't think you're being lazy if you have overlap in the two exam types. The key factor when deciding which SAT Subject Tests to take isn't how similar or different they are to your AP Tests, it's if those SAT Subject Tests fit the subject test requirements of the schools you're applying to. If the colleges where you’re applying simply request that you take two or three unspecified SAT Subject Tests, it makes a lot of sense to take the tests that correspond with your APs. Since SAT Subject Tests are less challenging than AP Tests, you will already be prepared and may not have to do any extra studying.AP Tests are typically held in May, and you can take SAT Subject Tests in June. Certain college programs do require you to take specific subject tests to be eligible for admission.This is often the case at engineering schools that want to ensure students are well-versed in math and the hard sciences.For example, the California Institute of Technology requires prospective students to take the Math 2 subject test and one of the subject tests in Biology, Physics, or Chemistry.Math 2 is the most commonly required SAT Subject Test. If you aren’t taking an AP Test in the same subject area as the SAT Subject Test you want or need to take, you should plan to take the subject test at the end of your most relevant high school class.For Math 2, this will most likely be at the end of your junior year after you’ve taken classes in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and precalculus.In general, it’s always a good idea to take an SAT Subject Test right after you finish a class in the subject.That way, you can just do a quick review and avoid having to refresh your memory on material you learned a while ago. You, radiating confidence during your SAT Subject Tests. Conclusion AP Tests and SAT Subject Tests differ in many ways, although they both can have an impact on your chances of admission at competitive colleges. SAT Subject Tests are only an hour long, and they are comprised entirely of multiple-choice questions. AP Tests, on the other hand, can last for over three hours and always include both multiple-choice and essay questions. AP Tests are associated with specific AP classes, and their content tends to be more challenging than that of SAT Subject Tests. AP Tests ask students to demonstrate college-level analytical skills while SAT Subject Tests require more basic knowledge of high school curriculum. Your scores on AP Tests may also earn you college credit or allow you to place out of introductory college classes if they are high enough. SAT Subject Tests are only occasionally used for placement purposes. Both types of tests may be important for you in the admissions process, so make sure that you prepare accordingly! What's Next? Curious about AP? Learn how you can register for Advanced Placement classes and tests. If you're looking to delve deeper into variations in difficulty on AP tests, read this article on the hardest AP tests that you can take. If you're planning on taking SAT Subject Tests, take a look at this article to get a better sense of your ideal score range. Need a little extra help prepping for your Subject Tests? We have the industry's leading SAT Subject Test prep programs (for all non-language Subject Tests). Built by Harvard grads and SAT Subject Test full or 99th %ile scorers, the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through advanced statistics, then customizes your prep program to you so that you get the most effective prep possible. Learn more about our Subject Test products below: