Advice needed re. self-studying for AP tests

<p>I go to a school that offers few AP courses and I was thinking about self-studying to take some of the exams. I am a senior. Last year I took physics and calculus. The calculus class was not AP, but it was intended to prepare for the AB AP test, which I passed with a four. I have been accepted early decision into materials engineering at Cal Poly.</p>

<p>This year I am taking statistics. Some of the AP tests I have considered preparing for are Calculus BC, Statistics, and Physics C. When I consulted my former physics/calculus teacher who also was an engineer he suggested that I take the Calculus BC exam, but not physics C. I mentioned to him that the four year graduation rates were low at Cal Poly, and I thought that more APs would make it more likely that I could graduate in time.</p>

<p>He told me that the math is the main reason engineering majors don't graduate in time and that if I am taking more advanced maths I will understand the physics better, but not the other way around. He said that physics C is quite challenging and that I would be better off going with the regular physics sequence. As for statistics, he thinks I'll have to retake it anyway, but from what I've read I'm not sure about that.</p>

<p>I would really appreciate it if anyone has an opinion on this or knows something that would be helpful to me in deciding what exams to prepare for.</p>