AP Physics C to reach semi-finalist in the Physics Olympiad?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>Do you need all of AP physics C (or any?) to make it to semifinals? Could someone also explain how the system works? This is what I read online but I'm not really sure. Correct me if I'm wrong: So basically, you take the F=ma test, and the top 400 get to quarter. Then after that, only like 200 people make semis-. I don't think that's right since this website </p>

<p><a href="http://www.aapt.org/physicsteam/2011/upload/2011-Semi-Finalists.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.aapt.org/physicsteam/2011/upload/2011-Semi-Finalists.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>shows that there are more than 300 or 400 students. If I am wrong, could someone explain the system to me?</p>

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<p>Any veterans!?!!?</p>

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<p>is this in the wrong section…</p>

4

<p>The quarterfinals have been eliminated as of two years ago, I believe. You advance immediately from F=ma to the semis, should your score qualify. I took AP Physics C and studied a bit on my own time, and that was enough to get me into semifinals which consists of about the top 300 scorers. It should also be noted that only mechanics is tested in F=ma (the first semester of most AP Physics C classes), so concentrate your studying on that if you wish to qualify.</p>

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<p>You don’t need Physics C to get there as calculus usually isn’t involved in the f=ma (I’ve seen 2 questions that really used calc in all of the f=ma that are online). Still, AP Physics C helps insomuch as it helps you learn how better to think critically. </p>

<p>The best way to study is to look at past exams.</p>

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<p>whoa, finally some posts. Thanks, very insightful comments. Any more people willing to share their thoughts?</p>