I am currently a high school junior at a competitive public high school in Virginia, and I don’t know what Physics course to take as a senior. My school combines AP Physics 1 & 2 into a full year double period course. The teacher for AP Physics 1&2 is supposedly very bad, and is hard to get a B. As of now I plan to take just AP Physics 1 for the first semester so I can take another subject test, and then instead of AP Physics 2, I’ll take another elective like AP human geo. The teacher for AP Physics C is supposed to be much better and easier, and it is a single period. I want to take it b/c easier at my school and single period, but the problem is I don’t have any Physics experience. I could ask the teacher and my counselor to exempt me from the prereq of any physics class, but from what I’ve heard it seems that it is very hard to take it without prior physics experience. I could also take honors physics, which is supposed to be just as hard as AP.
I got A’s both semesters last year in Algebra 2 and A in AP Stat first semester and B in Hon Precalc, and a 35 on math section of act (34 overall) and I want to do business undergrad.
I need help deciding what Physics class to take next year.
Thanks!
AP Physics 1 does not come close to preparing for the Subject Test
I would not recommend Physics C with no physics experience. And Physics C is really for those looking to major in engineering/physics/math, certainly not business.
Does your GC think it is just as hard, and will taking honors vs. AP not impact how the GC rates the rigor of your schedule? If so, then that might be a good option.
I think it may impact how GC rates rigor, but honors physics at my school is supposed to be just as hard as both AP physics classes.
AP Physics C is very rigorous and requires an extensive knowledge of Calculus. So unless you have completed calculus and have really familiarized yourself with its content, I would stay away from that course.
I took AP Physics 1 as a freshman but my teacher also covered most of AP Physics 2. It wasn’t terrible since all the math was based on Algebra. I would recommend you to take AP Physics 1 in school, take the AP Exam for it, and self study for AP Physics 2 since it’s your senior year.
YOU REALLY NEED CALCULUS FOR AP PHYSICS C. TRUST ME.
i would dEFINITIELY NOT recommend ap physics c for people not as interested in physics. if you enjoy physics, take c. if you don’t, definitely don’t take c.
for those reasons do i suggest ap physics 1.