Hi,
I am taking the AP Physics C, mechanics course at my school next year. Will I be able to take the AP Physics C and AP Physics 2 tests? Will they count as two different AP tests? Also, will they count as two APs toward National AP Scholar?
Thanks!
“Will they count as two different AP tests?” Yes
“will they count as two APs toward National AP Scholar?” Yes
Thank you. Also, I forgot to mention that I’m taking both of the tests in the same month. Does this change anything?
No.
However, one thing that has not been mentioned: there is almost no overlap between Physics C Mechanics and Physics 2, so the class will not prepare you for both tests.
Having said that, a student, if so inclined, can take all 4 physics AP tests in the same year, and they will all count for the AP awards. The likelihood of a college giving credit for all 4 tests, however, is close to zero.
There is no point in taking Physics 1 or 2 exams if you are taking Physics C. Unless you consider the college board a charity you’d like to donate to. The National AP scholar designation is mostly about how many AP tests you’ve taken. Personally, I think it would make a bad impression on colleges to take a Physics C course and then sit for a lower level exam in addition to the one you’ve prepared for.
The overlap between AP Physics C Mechanics and AP Physics 2 is minimal. AP Physics 2 covers fluids, optics, magnetism, and modern physics while AP Physics C Mechanics covers…well…mechanics. Taking AP Physics C does not in amy way prepare you for the AP Physics 2 exam. Also, take a look at the score distributions for AP Physics 2 and keep in mind that the great majority of these scores are from people who have been taking the class the whole year.
You do realize that you list every AP test you took on the common app and the score. And therefore those silly AP awards don’t add any additional information whatsoever. My kid was a National AP scholar and she didn’t bother to list it on her application. It would have looked like filler, because it is filler.