<p>I would like to self-study either of the two. I don't have great background in math. That's why I felt that B would be a more suitable alternative to C. I self-studied AP Bio last year and got a 5 on that, so I do have good bio background. I've never been exposed to physics, but I did take a Honors Chemistry a couple years ago though I didn't take it very seriously at the time (got a B).
which would be the easier one for me to study?
thanks</p>
<p>What math are you currently enrolled in?</p>
<p>i'm in calc ab, but it's an online course, so not intensive at all. i'm no star at math. much more of a humanities person. i won't be prepared for any kind of calculus.</p>
<p>I'm biased, of course, as an IB Chem HL student--but chemistry is so much more interesting. :)</p>
<p>ETA: ohmygod! I'm a senior member! <em>squee</em></p>
<p>they are both very conceptual subjects: either you get it or you don't</p>
<p>AP Physics: not math intensive, heavy test of your logic and problem solving skills (can be a doozy unless you have the right skills)</p>
<p>recommended prep book: none. Every few weeks, my teacher would give us tests compiled from old AP Physics multiple choice nad free response. Needless to say, I was quite prepared for the exam.</p>
<p>my score: 5</p>
<p>Ap Chemistry: easier to study for . The test is math intensitve but the problems are a little more predictable (especially the free response). It does, however, require a lot more studying. More material is covered, you need to memorize more information/ The free resopnse is no joy either </p>
<p>recommended prep book: Princeton review. I took H CHemistry, understood the material, goofed off in AP Chemistry last year, and crammed for the exam in a month</p>
<p>my score: 4 (would have gotten higher but was too tired to study or focus studying the test properly)</p>
<p>Math intensive in what respect, Vtran? If anything, I would have thought that Physics B at least had more algebra than Chemistry.... I do remember that I hated balancing equations-- the rest was fine with me, but if more than 20% of the test is comprised of balancing equations and/or math, I'll do physics instead.</p>
<p>As a philosophy person, physics initially sparked my interest. My experience with very conceptual subjects is that no amount of studying will help unless one already has some prior understanding/exposure to those concepts...and then things flow more smoothly. I might do Chemistry instead for this reason-- depending on evil the math is-- if anyone would care to enlighten me? :)</p>
<p>I guess I found the math in CHemistry more difficult (especially on free repsonse). Kinda tedious, pretty long. The math on AP Phyiscs B, though, is very simplistic. You may have to do math on more problems, but it is very basic number sense you can do in your head or on paper.</p>
<p>to find out how "evil" the Chemistry math is, go to the AP section of the college board site and look through some of the free response questions for AP Chemistry</p>
<p>thanks. i guess i'm leaning towards physics again now :)</p>
<p>AP Chem. It's pretty systematic, and you actually have some experience in chem. That will give you a huge advantage over physics.</p>
<p>Why would you want to self study a science, though, if you're a humanities person? If you're looking for the award, humgeo and psych are much easier to self study.</p>