<p>I'm currently a sophomore taking regular Chemistry. I'm planning on doing IB Physics SL next year, which I'm sure is pretty much the IB equivalent to AP Physics B.</p>
<p>For you guys that have done something like this as being in an advanced class without ever taking the basic class, how do you guys handle the transition or whatever? Did any of you guys prepare a little bit beforehand at all? Just curious.</p>
<p>I'm not if this would mean anything, but I'm in IB Math SL Yr. 1, which is Precalculus....</p>
<p>Usually, at least where I went to school, they require pre-reqs (classes you need to have taken already) for classes like AP Physics B. For us, you needed Physics I plus Algebra 1 and 2 as well as Geometry, and Precal is a coreq (you take it at the same time you do physics). I would check to see if you have all the necessary courses as I do not think going into such a hard class with no base in the subject matter is rather difficult. There’s gonna be things your teacher is going to expect you to know, and if you don’t, you’ll have a hard time. Take regular Physics 1 first and if you feel like taking AP Physics B, go ahead and take it.</p>
<p>There’s no actual prerequisites, but it’s recommended to take Algebra 2, which was last year. And we have IB Physics SL. I’m trying to go for the IB Diploma. And since they changed both IB Bio SL and IB Chemistry SL/HL as Yr. 1 and Yr. 2 for next year, I don’t want want to take 3 years of both Bio or Chemistry total. </p>
<p>My main question was just how people that have been in this type of situation deal with the transition.</p>
<p>Buuuuuuuuump. Smh.</p>
<p>By “the basic class” do you mean regular physics?</p>
<p>I would probably read basics about the material (like <em>insert subject here</em> for dummies) before making that decisions, and ask people who have taken the course that you are thinking about taking, that understand your strengths and weaknesses in school.</p>
<p>I personally haven’t taken Physics SL, so I can’t tell you if it’s hard or not, but I am in IB and IB courses are very rigorous, especially in 11th and 12th grade.</p>
<p>@Halcyonheather yeah, I meant regular physics.</p>
<p>@IvyGirl Yeah, I was kind of planning on looking up stuff about physics. Ignoring the fact it’s IB, I don’t really think I’d have a hard time with physics, especially since I’m doing well in Chemistry (I’m not even sure if that’s suppose to correlate at all…) and that I’m good at math…? Idek.</p>
<p>I know Chemistry doesn’t help much, but advanced math definitely does. If you’re good at math, you will probably be good at physics.</p>
<p>Only half of my AP Physics B class took regular physics, and the vadt majority that didnt take it are doing well (generally, the ones that aren’t are the ones that aren’t strong in math). As long as you’ve done well in Algebra you shouldn’t be behind or anything.</p>
<p>Buuuuuuuump…Any more inputs or opinions?</p>
<p>I’m in AP physics B right now, and I never had a physics class before it (never even took a physical science course either). I managed a 93 the first semester, and its not too bad. My teacher is awful, so I have to teach myself alot of the material and it generally only takes me 30 min a day worth of studying. You’ll be fine; you’ll do great</p>
<p>Thanks for the input, guys!</p>