I am a sophomore currently in honors bio and honors chem. I have the choice to take AP bio (which I am) and another science course (chem 2 or ap physics 1).
I am earning straight A’s and I’m eligible for chem 2 or AP physics 1. And I am really unsure which to choose.
I mean, is AP physics 1 difficult? I think I will take this course, but I hope to earn good grades. I know chem 2 will be easy, but what is your guys opinion on AP physics 1 for my junior year?
I know exactly what you are facing as I face the exact same thing sophomore going into junior year.
I am currently a junior and taking AP Physics 1. Sophomore year I took Honors Chemistry. When I made my decision, I knew my school required one year of Physics, Bio, and Chem. Therefore I knew that if I didn’t take Physics junior year I would be forced to take it senior year.
AP Physics 1 is not easy, I am not going to lie to you. Honors Chemistry I was superb at and was an A+ student. AP Physics I still get an A so not like I am saying it is impossible, but it is a challenge. Not knowing what type of student you are I will share my observation of the differences between Physics and Chemistry.
Honors chemistry is very precise. Significant figures, getting the exact answer, working through a page of stoichiometry to get an answer. But when you get that right answer after all that work the feeling is amazing. The multiple choice are very specific and cut and dry. You study and you know it or you don’t. I had a very very very difficult Honors Chem teacher by the way. Many say she is more difficult than the AP Chem teacher.
AP Physics however is significantly different. Physics works in a more step by step manner. Such as find the velocity, then find the acceleration, then find the kinetic energy. So the written questions have much quicker and simpler answers in my opinion. However, what kills me personally is the multiple choice. The multiple choice for physics in my opinion are very challenging. You truly have to reason out the right answer through your knowledge of the laws of physics. If you are a good reasoner between answers you should be fine. Again I still get an A lol, but it is a step up.
I want to conclude on something because you said something that needs to be addressed in my opinion. You say you “hope to earn good grades.” You should not take classes because they are the easy A. Believe me I am taking 5 APs and an honors class my senior year after taking 2 Honors and 2 APs my junior year. You need to challenge yourself and colleges want to see that. Skating by with the easy A will not prepare you for college as well as stepping out of your comfort zone and putting your brain to your test. Don’t take a class because you want to get a good grade. Take it because you want to, and you feel the class will intellectually challenge you. I can honestly say I have never in my life learned more in a class than AP Physics. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the suggestion! I am planning to add chem 2 to take the Chemistry SAT II exam. I am also adding AP statistics. I don’t think I will be taking AP physics 1 now.
@lovelyroses7 Why won’t you take AP Chem?
Well, my teacher is not allowing me to take AP chem. She is saying that I should take chem 2 and then AP chem since the material will be brand new to me and tough. However, I disagree and I want to take AP chem. So, courses are due in a few days and I hope she will change her mind. But until then, I have to stick with AP bio, AP statistics, and chem 2… I have to wait till my senior year to take AP chem then
The thing is I want to take 2 (or 3) AP courses my junior year. I think AP bio I am definitely taking, AP statistics, and if my chem teacher agrees I can take AP chem (but for now its chem 2)
I agree with @CollegeCraze72 that the multiple choice for physics is killer–I’ve gotten a 78 on the multiple choice section of a physics test while getting a 98 on the free response section. However, the concepts themselves aren’t actually that difficult, particularly if you read your textbook.
I’m currently a sophomore taking AP physics 1 and i don’t find it that difficult, but i mean that is different for everyone. Since you have already taken bio and chem i suggest taking AP Physics 1 so you have a better variety of science courses.
Thanks a lot for advice! I finalized that I am taking AP statistics and chem 2 for junior year. I thought it would be more wiser for me to take AP physics in senior year. @tonystarkofwinterfell @angie69860
Update: so my classes did not fit. And now I am taking AP Physics 1 & AP bio and cancelling AP stat & chem 2.
I’ve never heard of a high school expecting a chem course in between honors chem and AP chem. We don’t even have such a course.