<p>Hey Guys, I was wondering which of them to take as somewhere on the forums I read that colleges do not give as much recognition to Physics B as they do to Physics C.I also plan to give the SAT Subject test for physics.
I know what differentiation and integration is (at the basic level, as in just the formulas for differentiation and integrating).So should I go for Physics C? Or B? And how should I prepare?</p>
<p>And this brings me back to my question here: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sciences/1297016-ap-physics-b-subject-test-combined-prep-please-help.html%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sciences/1297016-ap-physics-b-subject-test-combined-prep-please-help.html</a></p>
<p>Physics B is a much broader overview of physics, while physics C has a bit of a smaller scope and is in more detail. For example, physics B has fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, waves and sound, and modern (atomic) physics, while C does not. And, of course, B is algebra/trig based while Physics C has more calculus. From what I’ve seen though, the calculus load in physics C doesn’t even get that heavy until Electricity and Magnetism; there’s some calculus in Mechanics but less than you’d expect.
For the subject test, Physics B should do the job fine. I’m planning to take it this June and I’m in B myself.
As for which to do, I’d recommend doing both if possible. If not, and you’re planning to go into sciences/engineering, go with C. If you’re not going to go that route, go with B. There’s no reason to take Physics C when you won’t use it.</p>
<p>Yeah, I am planning to go into engineering. But Physics B and Physics C: Mechanics take place at the same time, so how can I take both?</p>
<p>And how should I prepare (for the Physics AP AND Subject test) ? I have only the whole of March to prepare, so I was wondering if you could tell me which prerp book(s) to buy and what study method to follow.
Should I take different books for the AP and the Subject Test?</p>
<p>Guys reply please…I need help</p>
<p>The good engineering programs will not give you credits if you do B, so you don’t really have to.</p>
<p>Well at my high school some kids take AP Physics B junior year (like me), and then go on to take Physics C senior year. If you can’t and want to do engineering, then definitely go with C.
Not sure about prep books though, sorry.</p>
<p>Oh OK. Still confused about prep books and study method :S :/</p>
<p>If you know how to differentiate and integrate, you’re mostly set for Physics C. Use Princeton Review - it does a pretty good job of preparing you. The multiple choice questions are a bit more computational and slightly harder than the actual exam, though, but this isn’t a major problem.</p>
<p>Just go through the chapters, answer as many of the questions on your own as possible, and if you get stuck, Google is your friend.</p>
<p>Don’t bother with B unless you don’t think you can’t do well on C - it doesn’t give you any useful credit as an engineering major.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot! I guess I’ll go with C then.</p>
<p>But now I’m reconsidering giving the AP exam. Because where I live AP is like unknown but we have the facility to give the exam, and people are saying if I just give one AP exam, it won’t make any difference in my application.</p>
<p>I wanted to give the AP because my grades in 11th sucked. And I thought that a good score in the A.P might make up for that.Will it?</p>
<p>Good scores on AP exams that you studied for on your own can be helpful to your application, but they certainly can’t completely make up for unsatisfactory grades. But I think that if you do something like Physics C on your own, colleges will probably appreciate the independence and interest in physics that it’ll show.</p>
<p>Oh Ok, I guess then I’ll self study for Physics C using PR. </p>
<p>Is Computer Science A self-studyable? I know a bit of C++ but I have no idea about Java though.</p>
<p>Yes, CS A is self-studyable. I had no programming background (besides a bit of TI-BASIC :P) and I used Barron’s to get a 5 on the exam. (It actually overprepares you…)</p>