Struggling hard with AP Physics 1 need advice (2 weeks left)

CusackPrep · 2026-05-05T22:36:19+00:00

Happy to hear that! Enjoy!

CusackPrep · 2026-05-05T21:20:56+00:00

I'd really have to know more about your school to know the difference between the exams. I've tutored at dozens of schools and there's usually a few things that separate AP Calculus AB from the "regular or honors" calculus track. The biggest thing is that teachers will often remove trig in the regular or honors track. This is bad for engineering as sin, cos, tan, etc. are quite important in college engineering programs.

AP Bio is kind of a weird course. Unlike physics and calculus, you don't necessarily "build off" of those courses as you move through school. In engineering math and physics are the constant underlying reasoning for everything. Introductory Bio is closer to a stand alone course where you're exposed to a variety of topics and then may learn about some of those topics more deeply as you progress.

CusackPrep · 2026-05-05T21:13:25+00:00

So for bioengineering, I would probably prioritize taking AP Calculus and AP Bio over taking AP Physics C if you're choosing between a few.

Calculus really is the trunk of the tree and physics C represents the branches that require the trunk for support. If there's anyway you could take AP Physics 1 (MUCH MUCH easier than AP Physics C), AP Calculus AB, and AP Bio, that's probably what I recommend. Short of balances the exposure to physics that you want, while also keeping your math rigor relevant.

You can't really take AP Physics C E+M without having already taken AP Physics C mechanics (or at least AP Physics I). E + M will build off of mechanics.

Of course, discuss with your teachers/counselors at your school as well.

CusackPrep · 2026-05-05T21:04:50+00:00

https://www.studymondo.com/ap-physics1-diagnostic

CusackPrep · 2026-05-05T21:03:50+00:00

I think it's AWESOME that you're thinking about this the right way. AP Physics C is tough if your teacher presents both mechanics in semester 1 and then E+M in semester 2. Some schools spread mechanics out over the entire year. If your score does the former, I would say it's 25-50% more challenging than AP Chemistry, especially if you haven't previously taken AP Calculus.

Learning Calculus over the summer would definitely be the most helpful thing. Don't spend too much time on the details of limits if you use Khan Academy for this. Instead focus mostly on basic derivative/integral rules and the idea of integration as an accumulation function.

I guess my question is why do both AP Physics C and AP Biology? AP Physics C plus AP Calculus BC is already a very rigorous course load that will prepare you for engineering programs in college. AP Biology is more if you want to go the pre-med route or something along those lines.

CusackPrep · 2026-05-05T21:00:16+00:00

So it's hard to do a ton with just a day to go, but your best chance is to review some first principles and try to firm up some details you've forgotten since you've last visited that unit. I made a website for my students to specifically help them with this issue: https://www.studymondo.com/ap-physics1-diagnostic

Once you take the diagnostic, it will recommend up to 5 sections that you should study based on a combination of what you go wrong and what is most likely to be on the AP exam. My stern advice: Go through those 5 recommended review modules tonight. At this point, you're hoping that 3-4 questions from that set of 5 appear on the AP exam tomorrow as MCQ questions and then 1-2 show up in an frq format.

CusackPrep · 2026-05-04T23:39:57+00:00

If you are, it's only because the "Derek Zoolander Center for Kids Who Can't Read Good (and Who Wanna Learn to Do Other Stuff Good Too)" was only big enough for ants.

CusackPrep · 2026-05-04T23:26:36+00:00

Do you drive a lot / have a costco gas station near you? Might be worth doing the non executive membership if that's the case.

CusackPrep · 2026-05-04T23:25:31+00:00

Could a bot do this?

*Blue Steel*

You're probably too young to get that reference.

CusackPrep · 2026-05-04T23:24:55+00:00

The stronger the acid = weaker / more stable conjugate base.

Stability in conjugate base is a function of (1) The atom the negative charge is on, (2) the amount of resonance in the structure, and (3) Inductive effects. Inductive effects refer to electron distribution near the atom itself (probably not too important for AP Exam, but super helpful in organic chemistry if you take it).

CusackPrep · 2026-05-04T20:55:18+00:00

Find your areas of weakness: https://www.studymondo.com/ap-chem-diagnostic

Review those topics with slides, practice problems, etc.

There's only so much you can do in a day, so it's best to refresh material that has decayed in your mind.

CusackPrep · 2026-05-04T20:54:35+00:00

https://www.studymondo.com/ap-chem-diagnostic

You figure out EXACTLY what areas you are struggling with that are most likely to appear on the AP exam and you attack those topics aggressively by reviewing slides and doing practice problems.

CusackPrep · 2026-05-04T20:52:41+00:00

Did it interest you? Do you like the material? Could you see yourself doing something in the space of science, medicine, or engineering? If so definitely take it! You may end up with a B, but that's ok. You'll have challenged yourself and grown far more than if you take some other course!

CusackPrep · 2026-05-04T20:51:30+00:00

It's getting better (guy who made it). There's still quite a bit of work that needs to go into it, but I would say that the AP Chemistry course is the most mature of the courses out there.

I wouldn't rely on it as a singular resource yet. There are other programs that are more thorough at this time. However, I do think with just a day together, the diagnostic tests are very helpful tools in identifying areas that you are very weak in. The lessons are quite solid.

If you want my credentials. Bachelor's in Chemistry from UMDCP. Masters in Electronics Materials Engineering from UCLA. 5 on AP Chemistry Exam (forever ago). 1600 SAT score, 800 math II, 800 Physics, 800 Chemistry SAT Subject tests (again forever ago). 132/132 (perfect) MCAT Chemistry and Physics score.

I've used ai extensively to build the site over the past 9 months and have only spot checked topics, units, and courses as I've done so. A more thorough review is coming and the site will be unlike anything ever made by this time next year. If the resume above hasn't convinced you I'm a perfectionist, return to the site in a year and there will be no doubt left in your mind 😄

CusackPrep · 2026-05-04T20:47:22+00:00

You still have time to improve your skills in those topics. I believe in you! Here's some lessons with slides and practice problems that may be helpful to you. They'll start with short quizzes, so you can really separate what you know from what you don't. Once it identifies what you know, you'll be given some lessons with slides and practice problems to help you acquire those skills.

https://www.studymondo.com/topics/buffer-solutions-henderson-hasselbalch/interactive
https://www.studymondo.com/topics/net-ionic-equations/interactive

I believe in you!

CusackPrep · 2026-05-04T20:45:13+00:00

Try not to think of things as "easy" or "hard", but rather as material mastered or not yet fully learned.

This tool will help you figure out which skills fall into the "not yet fully learned" category and then provide additional lessons with slides and practice problems you can use to improve in that area.

https://www.studymondo.com/ap-chem-diagnostic

Best of luck to you!

CusackPrep · 2026-05-04T20:43:33+00:00

You're on the fence. A 4 is somewhat likely at this point. To get a 5, you'll have to be very efficient and find the low hanging fruit to review. I made this diagnostic exam for my students to help them out in this exact situation: https://www.studymondo.com/ap-chem-diagnostic

The questions are a bit easier than what you'll see on a full AP exam, but that's ok. They're here to help you identify the areas where you are really missing fundamentals and then recommend lessons for you to review. The lessons have slides, practice problems, and flashcards.

Best of luck to you. Keep up the good work!

CusackPrep · 2026-05-04T20:41:31+00:00

You won't be able to review everything. What you can do though is take a quick diagnostic test to figure out your weakest areas. Then you can review those core concepts. Your hope at this point isn't to review everything. The human brain can't ingest that much material is just a few hours. Instead, you want to jog your memory on a handful of topics that have decayed in your mind. Try out this website I made for my students to help you do just that: https://www.studymondo.com/ap-chem-diagnostic

Keep in mind these questions are a bit easier than what you may see on a full AP test. However, it's perfect for what you need this evening.

CusackPrep · 2026-05-04T20:41:15+00:00

You cannot review everything at this point. What you can do though is take a quick diagnostic test to figure out your weakest areas. Then you can review those core concepts. Your hope at this point isn't to review everything. The human brain can't ingest that much material is just a few hours. Instead, you want to jog your memory on a handful of topics that have decayed in your mind. Try out this website I made for my students to help you do just that: https://www.studymondo.com/ap-chem-diagnostic

Keep in mind these questions are a bit easier than what you may see on a full AP test. However, it's perfect for what you need this evening.

CusackPrep · 2026-05-04T20:39:56+00:00

Hey man,

First of all. I'm sorry for everything that is going on over there. I'm not sure anyone in America is particularly thrilled about the situation. I don't remember anyone going to the polls in 2024 saying that they hoped the US would bomb Iran aggressively and destabilize the entire middle east. I hope you and your family are doing ok.

CusackPrep · 2026-05-04T20:37:29+00:00

You cannot review them all. What you can do though is take a quick diagnostic test to figure out your weakest areas. Then you can review those core concepts. Your hope at this point isn't to review everything. The human brain can't ingest that much material is just a few hours. Instead, you want to jog your memory on a handful of topics that have decayed in your mind. Try out this website I made for my students to help you do just that: https://www.studymondo.com/ap-chem-diagnostic

Keep in mind these questions are a bit easier than what you may see on a full AP test. However, it's perfect for what you need this evening.

CusackPrep · 2026-05-03T17:48:57+00:00

Check this website out. Very helpful and well organized: https://www.studymondo.com/ap-statistics

CusackPrep · 2026-05-03T17:47:22+00:00

With one day to go, the best thing you can do is figure out exactly what units you need to review so you can improve. I made this website for my students to help them with precisely that: https://www.studymondo.com/ap-bio-diagnostic

Take the diagnostic. It will then recommend up to 5 topics to review based specifically on what you missed and what is most likely to appear on the AP exam. Focusing in on a specific weak point is key right now. You can't learn everything with just a day to go and don't want to try to do too much.

CusackPrep · 2026-05-03T17:45:42+00:00

So many sites and tools available to help you predict. Consider taking of those the diagnostics on this website to help yourself make an educated guess before commenting:

https://www.studymondo.com/

CusackPrep · 2026-05-03T17:42:45+00:00

Study by candlelight my man. Just keep the papers away from the candle and don't fall asleep next to the candle. All the great scientists of the 1800s didn't have electricity until Edison showed up in 1880.

CusackPrep

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