Is it possible to really learn and ace AP physics without having any foundation Physics course or any other AP science though student is done with Honors Chem, Honors Bio and Pre-cal?
http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/exam/exam_information/225589.html says that “Students can take AP Physics 1, an introductory or honors physics course as a first year course. After taking either course, students can take either AP Physics 2, AP Physics C (one or both), or other AP science courses in the subsequent year. AP Physics 1 provides excellent preparation for future science course work.”
They can but should they do it, what are the pros and cons?
When AP Physics began, our HS started offering it to honors students in lieu of the general physics course, so at least here no physics knowledge is expected. If you have taken honors versions of other science courses, it sounds like it is the right choice for you.
If you are a generally strong student (take other APs), it is the right level physics to take.
AP Physics and AP Chem are going to be this student’s first science AP’s. Only AP’s taken were Spanish, Art History, WHAP and HG, cleared all with 5’s.
I’ll give you some cons
• AP Physics 1 does not cover the material needed for the SAT Subject Test, if that’s something the student wants/needs
• Last year was the first year for the AP Physics 1 exam and the results were horrible for a number of reasons. Mostly, IMO, due to too many students taking the test that should not have been in an AP class (AP Physics 1 had twice as many test takers as AP Physics B did the year prior) and teachers/students thinking that AP Physics 1 was simply AP Physics B cut in half (AP Physics 1 is more theoretical than AP Physics B was).
Having said that, the class is designed so that no physics background is necessary, so taking AP Physics 1 after Honors Physics is a waste, IMO. Since the student does have a strong track record with AP’s, I don’t think the class will be a problem,.
At our school, AP Physics I was offered for the first time this year and it replaced the Honors Physics. (The school used to offer AP Physics C only)
I think the dismal test results were because many schools (including ours) did away with honors physics and forced student who would not have taken AP physics at all into an AP class. My daughter took honors physics and then AP Physics B and felt that had been a waste of time to take honors prior to B. AP Physics 1 covers less material than B.
Yes, it is possible! However, physics is something that you either know it, or you don’t. If you are really strong with problem-solving/critical thinking questions and formulas, then the class should not be too difficult. AP Physics 1 is very different from Chemistry and Biology and requires a different mindset.
The good thing about this class is that there are resources galore – plenty of college websites that offer free online AP Physics 1 supplement classes (edX, coursera, etc.) as well as prep books.