How does one decide which AP Physics C to take ? School teaches honors physics in 10th grade. Math level is
pre calculus in 10th grade. half of pre cal is already mastered. I was told that the calculus needed for AP Physics C is not too much and can be mastered. Waiting one more year may not be such a good idea as easy to forget the school physics learnt
Do they actually separate out the 2 courses into year-long classes? Typically the AP class will have Mechanics for one semester and E&M for the next semester. At least that’s how it was set up at my kid’s school.
Calculus integration is needed but like for maybe a few days?
No they dont separate it at all. My question was which test should he take ?
Why wouldn’t he take both? Especially if he’s going to take it in 12th grade.
E&M is going to be harder than Mechanics.
You only take 1 AP physics C as far as I know. Cant take both. LIke biology E or M.
What are you talking about? The class or the AP tests? For AP you sign up for both if you want to.
OP - Physics C is one semester of mechanics and one semester of E&M (at least at most schools). My daughter took both AP tests at the end of the year. Her college gave her credit for two courses…
I meant the tests. I didnt know you can take both tests !! that’s news to me.
Yes! You can most certainly take both tests!
Incorrect. You can take both exams in the same year.
High schools usually teach Mech in the Fall and E&M in the Spring. Some schools only offer Mech as a year-long course or both as a two-year sequence. Students have the option to take either AP exam or both. Unlike other AP exams, each exam is only 90 minutes, but the CB being the CB charges for each exam. 
isnt that overkill? how is it going to help? As it is SAT subject tests are not required by most top colleges.
It helps in that one can potentially get credit for 2 college courses instead of one. But AP credit policy really depends upon the college. As for why do they offer 2 Physics C exams instead of one? Well they offer micro/macro econ as 2 exams instead of one economics exam. I never really put much thought into it.