Are American High School Students Really Behind Their Counterparts in Other Countries?

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We're always being told that high school students in the United States are not as advanced as students in other counties, European countries are usually used in these cases. However, I have to wonder if that's really true. In Europe and other countries students are separated after 7th or 8th grade. They have to pass several tests and get recommendations from their teachers to qualify for High School. Those who don't are sent to school that prepare them for skilled trades or to be laborers. The students who do qualify take courses that prepare them for the university. These comparison studies are always based on high school standardized testing. So in a very literal sense, their Advanced Placement students are being compared to every one of the students in America,not just our Advanced Placement students. So how is that a scientifically significant study or comparison? Thank you @Porcospino for inspiration for this post.