AP Math/Science tests

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>PLEASE rate what you feel would be the easiest, moderate, and hardest ap tests to SELF-STUDY considering my situation from the following list: Also, please rate them from your own point of view.</p>

<p>Environmental Science - no experience at all
Physics C: E/M - taking Physics B in school, taken Calc AB already
Biology - had horrible bio teacher/class last year
Chemistry - taking chemistry this year... won't be covering advanced topics
Calculus BC - already done AB</p>

<p>I plan to take one... maybe two (or three if people say they are really easy) along with the others in school... some colleges I'm looking at prefer math/science APs</p>

<p>Thanks a lot</p>

2

<p>others might have differing opinion, but from my experience, AP chem is moderately self-studiableXD i had a AP chem teacher last who never taught a single advanced class (let alone AP). all we ever did in class was copy down notes without discussion. therefore, what ended up happening was that i did a lot of independent reading and prepared for the exam on the my own. i think if you enjoy chem 1, chem 2 should not be very hard to learn. be sure to find a good textbook though. here is a list of possible textbooks: <a href="http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/51929.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/51929.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

3

<p>Environmental Science is a BS AP. Minimal self-studying and moderate memorizational skills leads to a 5. As for a chem textbook: ZUMDAHL!!!!!!!</p>

4

<p>I have self studied some of those APs and some I have had the class. Overall though, I would have to say from easiest to hardest:</p>

<p>AP Environmental Science
AP Biology
AP Calculus BC
AP Chemistry
AP Physics (even with a teacher I'm in perpetual limbo)</p>

<p>Good luck, environmental science, biology, calculus bc, are very doable (is that a word?) while chemistry requires an immense amount of dedication but you might pull off a 5 with you have a good honors chem background and physics is impossible so don't start.</p>

5

<p>haha, i recommend Zumdahl for chem textbook too! the one we used in class was crap compared to Zumdahl. definitely try to get one by that author.</p>

6

<p>Yoshi729: I'm self studying Physics C M&EM... Is it really impossible? I heard of some people who actually did it and scored a 5........</p>

7

<p>Ysk1: I was perhaps a little strong in my expression of the difficulty of AP Physics. In my high school AP Physics C is regarded as the most difficult course partially because of the high demand in mathematics. Our teacher is currently using differential equations to show the chance in force between multiple moving charged particles in space. This concept is very difficult to understand without a distinguished teacher who has experience in the field of physics. One could study for AP Physics if there math and physical science background is very strong. Also such a course requires an immense amount of will power. So I have to say that AP Physics isn't really that impossible although it is extremely difficult and should only be attempted if you know you can finish the course and get a 5 otherwise there will be a great amount of dissapointment. Good luck.</p>

8

<p>Yoshi729: Thanks for your reply. I heard many times that AP Physics C is the hardest exam ever... I'm only using Princeton Review's book and I have no math and physical background you mentioned, though I'm concurrently self studying AP Calculus BC. I'm spending about 9 hours on AP Physics C every week, going over the PR book and solving problems on the back of each chapter. I don't read or have a Physics textbook; I sometimes use online lessons only when I totally get lost. Would the chance of getting a 5 on AP Physics C M&EM exam be really low for someone like me? I don't want to take a risk when there's no certainty that I will do well on it.</p>

9

<p>Thanks for the replies guys. So, right now I'm thinking take Environmental Science, Calc BC, and maybe Biology. Could someone give me more specifics on how much I would have to study and if I could mostly avoid textbooks and stick with just prep books (like PR, Cliffs, etc...)? I want to take tests where I have a high probablity of getting 5s.</p>

<p>Could you also recommend prep books for each subject</p>

<p>ysk, I heard the curve for Physics C is generous, so that should help. yoshi, what textbook are you using? I have an older version of Fundamentals of Physics by Haliday, Resnick. Would that be enough if I took Physics C:E/M? I have a decent calc background and understand basic concepts in physics from A Phys B.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

10

<p>i took chemistry last year (our school didn't offer AP Chem), and brought Princeton Review's AP Chem book and pulled out a 5 alone. I didn't even consult with any teachers! No help from any teachers.</p>

<p>it's very, very doable.</p>

11

<p>tapedDuck: If you are self-studying I strongly suggest you invest in University Physics which is geared towards the indepedent learner. Fundamentals of Physics is the hallmark of AP Physics C but the problems are sometimes difficult especially for someone without a teacher. It boils down to personal choice, good luck.</p>

12

<p>tapedDuck: How generous is the curve for the AP Physics C exam?</p>

13

<p>Todpose: from <a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/physics_c/dist.html?physicsc%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/physics_c/dist.html?physicsc&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>2006 Physics C Grade Distribution</p>

<p>Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
Examination Grade % of Students Earning Grade
5 - Extremely Well Qualified 34.6
4 - Well Qualified 23.8
3 - Qualified 12.4
2 - Possibly Qualified 16.7
1 - No Recommendation 12.5
Mean Grade 3.51 </p>

<p>Physics C: Mechanics
Examination Grade % of Students Earning Grade
5 - Extremely Well Qualified 24.2
4 - Well Qualified 24.5
3 - Qualified 21.2
2 - Possibly Qualified 15.5
1 - No Recommendation 14.6
Mean Grade 3.28</p>

<p>So, over two thirds of people pass both tests and the average score is higher than for a lot of other tests.</p>

14

<p>Keep in mind that, just because the average score is high, the test doesn't necessarily have to be easy. The average grade for Psych is 3.15, which is lower the average for both physics tests. This isn't because the test is hard, but because inexperienced freshmen take it, or because people think it's easy, and barely study, and then end up with a bad mark.</p>