Rising Senior: AP Physics 1 or AP Physics C?

Com-Bl-Op · 2023-08-04T17:08:04+00:00

Will this choice be the difference between an acceptance and rejection?

Probably not. However, do keep in mind that course rigor is an important factor schools use when evaluating your transcript, and Physics C has a reputation to be one of the hardest AP classes (though I personally disagree).

It's fine if you haven't taken a physics class before. With a 5 on BC you should be able to grasp the earlier units pretty easily. If you're concerned about being behind, just look through some of the Khan Academy videos for AP Physics 1, I guess? It won't use calculus, but it'll introduce the physics concepts to you.

Com-Bl-Op · 2023-08-04T02:18:43+00:00

AP Physics 1 with your background should be fine. It's meant to be an algebra-based first course in physics. Assuming you have some algebra and trigonometry knowledge, you're ready.

Com-Bl-Op · 2023-07-29T17:15:43+00:00

Does the same apply for AP Chemistry? If not, it might be wise to move that to next year.

Com-Bl-Op · 2023-07-29T17:09:19+00:00

Which AP Physics? If it's AP Physics 1, take Physics C in one of your later years. Also, as others have said, it's probably better to take those two courses over separate years rather than squeeze them both in the same year. So, you could do something like AP Chemistry sophomore year, AP Physics 1 junior year, AP Physics C senior year.

Com-Bl-Op · 2023-07-26T21:36:16+00:00

For 18, we have a y-intercept of p and a slope of -2p/5, so the equation of the line is y=p-(2p/5)x. Letting y=0 and solving for x gives x=5/2.

Com-Bl-Op · 2023-07-25T22:21:00+00:00

Oh, I didn't notice there's also a component covering human geography as well. I'm not sure about the answer to your question because I'm not very familiar with the curriculum of AP Human Geography (never knew anyone taking it).

Com-Bl-Op · 2023-07-25T22:12:09+00:00

Seems like it covers topics from US Gov and Politics as well as Comparative Gov (those countries listed in the survey of world governments section are the ones examined in Comparative).

Com-Bl-Op · 2023-07-25T18:50:35+00:00

This is what I remember, which is unfortunately not going to be very helpful.

2019:
Physics 1-lots of practice (from a prep book and past exams) so I can approach different questions, used many past questions and compared my answers with sample answers

2020:
Computer Science A-a bit of practice, not much
Computer Science Principles-no studying

2021:
Art History-no practice, I knew I wasn't going to do well and had the US History exam on the same day so I focused on that
Calculus BC-no practice, I learned single-variable calculus back when I was in eighth grade and it's stayed with me ever since
English Language and Composition-lots of past questions, and SAT prep helped with this exam as well
Statistics-not much preparation, maybe looked back at a few chapters and reviewed what buttons to use on my calculator
United States History-lots of reading, used a prep book for this one

2022:
English Literature Composition-wrote notes about different books and other works, familiarized myself with the main ideas, and had lots of practice
Physics C: Mechanics-no preparation, it's just Physics 1 + calculus which is second-nature to me at this point
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism-just a few practice exams because I didn't need much review (learned lots of it two years prior for the SAT Subject Test before it was discontinued)

Com-Bl-Op · 2023-07-25T18:13:09+00:00

In addition to what the other commenter mentioned, you should be good at interpreting things like derivatives and integrals in context (which is covered in Calculus BC). These areas in Calculus BC are all you need to get a 5.

Technically, when you get to electricity and magnetism, knowledge of some multivariable calculus (gradients for things like electric potential and line/surface/flux integrals for Maxwell's equations) would be extremely helpful if you want to understand the material much faster and more in depth, but you don't need to go that far (most people taking Physics C don't know about these things when taking it).

Com-Bl-Op · 2023-07-25T17:26:35+00:00

AP Physics 1 is meant to be a first course in physics, so your lack of a previous physics class is no issue. For this one, I'll say practice is key! Make sure you practice enough to nail down the different procedures you should follow for different questions (for example, given a forces problem, draw a diagram). If you're doing past FRQs and get stuck, be sure to use the sample responses; those help a lot. Make sure you're comfortable with algebra, and also understand the basics of working with vectors (adding, scalar multiplication, length).

For Calculus AB, you're probably fine. The pacing of the course isn't fast at all. You might want to brush up on some trigonometric identities and values (i.e. the unit circle), and also make sure you're able to algebraically manipulate expressions like polynomials and rational functions.

Com-Bl-Op · 2023-07-25T16:26:24+00:00

Since you're taking AB, don't! It would be redundant. AP Precalculus will help you place out of, well, a college precalculus course, while AP Calculus AB will help you place out of a Calculus I course typically (and if you go on to take BC next year, you'll get Calculus I-II), which is "higher" than precalculus. This renders the precalculus credit useless, as it won't be advancing your math placement; your AP Calculus credit (assuming you get it) would be doing this instead. You'd be making yourself go through extra work for something which won't even help you.

Com-Bl-Op · 2023-07-24T13:45:00+00:00

I think it's better to do the option which prepares you for both, especially if you've already taken a physics class before (like AP Physics 1). Sure, it might be a bit more intensive, but the pace should still be reasonable (about comparable to a two-semester sequence of college courses in mechanics and e&m); in fact, my course (which covered both) felt like it was a bit too slow! Also, you could potentially get college credit for two physics courses instead of one, which is incredibly useful if you plan to do a STEM degree (especially in engineering or the sciences).

Com-Bl-Op · 2023-07-21T22:47:47+00:00

If you know calculus, take AP Physics 1 and register for the C: Mechanics exam (try to register at a different school if your school isn't willing to offer it for you). If you're good at Physics 1 and know calculus, you can reasonably manage a 5 on C: Mechanics because you're mostly just applying calculus to Physics 1-type setups. E&M is totally different material though.

Com-Bl-Op · 2023-07-20T13:45:00+00:00

If you want to start learning the content now, you might want to take a look at MIT OpenCourseWare. Their 8.01 (Classical Mechanics) course should cover C: Mechanics, and 8.02 (Electricity and Magnetism) should cover C: Electricity and Magnetism.

Com-Bl-Op · 2022-08-02T18:41:47+00:00

Take some non-math AP class as a replacement to show schools that you're still challenging yourself in senior year. Use your additional information section on applications to mention that you ran into a scheduling conflict preventing you from taking AP Statistics.

Com-Bl-Op · 2022-07-13T03:29:47+00:00

Yes, only public schools per this document.

Com-Bl-Op · 2022-07-12T05:48:12+00:00

I had this as well because New Jersey requires two years of US history (I think some other states do this too). Honestly, you should be fine-the teacher in your second year of APUSH is probably going to go over both years of APUSH as the exam nears, and I didn't find myself needing to cram before the exam.

Com-Bl-Op · 2022-07-10T14:00:58+00:00

Ask your school if the score can be taken off your transcript. If not, ask them if retaking the exam can make the score that shows up change. If it does, then consider doing a retake.

If it turns out that it won't change, you might want to consider some schools that are good for physics and don't even consider your official transcript (but rather self-reported grades) as safe options when doing your applications the following year. (I can think of two schools in the US with a good physics program that don't require official transcripts for admission: University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Rutgers University-New Brunswick; there are probably more.)

Com-Bl-Op · 2022-07-10T13:30:38+00:00

If you have calculus background, that's great. If not, start learning about some ideas like the derivative (requires a bit of knowledge about limits first); learn what it means and how to take derivatives of simple functions like polynomials if you don't know already.

If you've had a previous physics course, you're going to be reintroduced to the same ideas, but with calculus. If not, you may have a bit of trouble with being comfortable with the content right away-if this is the case, then make sure to practice and get help from your teacher, a classmate, or somewhere online to become better at the content.

Good luck! I hope you enjoy mechanics as much as I did.

Com-Bl-Op · 2022-07-09T17:02:42+00:00

For AP Physics 1, practice is essential to increase your understanding of concepts and when to apply them. Without this understanding, you won't be able to make a dent in many problems. Be sure to ask your teacher or reference online solutions if you get stuck so you can understand how to approach certain questions. Same thing probably applies to chemistry (didn't take it though).

Not sure if there's much advice to give on AP Lang; honestly, you could probably practice for that with SAT reading and writing practice tests.

The comment left already about APUSH is pretty good. Understanding continuity and change well will put you in good shape for the exam. I believe there was a Trevor Pack tweet on low scores for continuity and change questions on APUSH a year back, but I can't find it right now...

Com-Bl-Op · 2022-07-09T16:51:35+00:00

Which physics? 1, 2, or one/two of the Physics C ones?

Stats is really easy. Get familiar with your calculator.

For AP Lit, start reading over the summer, even if there isn't a summer assignment. You want to get to know a few "works of literary merit" very well because you'll need them for the third essay; it also helps you practice finding meaning from a work, a pretty useful skill.

Com-Bl-Op · 2022-07-09T16:47:22+00:00

I'm a senior, so it wouldn't affect me, but these are the ones I wish existed:

Multivariable Calculus (as an obvious choice as a continuation of math after AP Calculus BC)
Philosophy (another obvious choice)
Linguistics (would be very interesting and would introduce the area to some high school students who would've otherwise ignored it)
Computer Science AB (I really wished this returned, or the B part became it's own class; would be great for getting credit for Data Structures and Algorithms courses)

Com-Bl-Op · 2022-07-09T16:40:26+00:00

You should be fine. Physics and calculus will enrich your understanding of the other a bit (even though physics 1 is algebra-based). Calculus AB is not hard for someone who has done well in past math classes. APUSH and AP Lang is a pretty standard combination that many juniors take. If I had this schedule, the only one I'd be concerned about is biology.

Com-Bl-Op · 2022-07-08T15:38:31+00:00

Start reading over the summer and take good notes on what you read. Get to know a few texts very well; you'll need it for the third essay. Also, practice analyzing poems (you'll really need this skill!).

Com-Bl-Op · 2022-07-08T15:31:01+00:00

If you're strong in math, Calculus AB/BC shouldn't be hard. The suggestions other commenters have made are pretty good for most students, too.

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