<p>Do you need to know calculus for the AP physics test? I'm taking pre-cal right now and want to know if i should even bother trying to take tthe test</p>
<p>You don't need Calc for the AP Physics B exam, but it is recommended for Physics C. Anyway, if you got along in class without calc, you will also do fine on the C exam (you might miss one or two questions, but that won't kill you)</p>
<p>^^^not so much...</p>
<p>AP Physics B exam covers a more comprehensive curriculum based on trigonometry and precalculus. The AP Physics C: M and AP Physics C: E & M exams are based on Calculus, therefore, you will need to know calculus to answer a majority of the questions. However, the calculus tested is quite basic such as basic differentiation (Power Rule) and basic integration. I think you can get by by just reading a section or two from a AP Calculus prep book. hope that helped.</p>
<p>good luck</p>
<p>thanks and if i studied a little for calculus what do you recommend i study?</p>
<p>I would say ask for help from one of your mathematics teacher... I don't think basic integration and differentiation would take you more than a week to study ( if that's all required for AP Physics C exam)..</p>
<p>but they again, you could also get an ap clac prep book to go over these cocepts, but it may be a little harder and may require more time than you have...</p>
<p>and answer to your questions, i'd say take priceton's ap calc prep book, I used it last year to study for ap phys c test...</p>
<p>Good luck</p>
<p>I took Ap Calculus my junior year and taking Ap physics c mech, electricity. i have to say Ap cal. class helped. I certainly check with your Ap teacher.</p>
<p>first of all, i recommend you take the Physics B test because it does not have calculus. if you are taking the Physics C test, you will have to study differentiation (mainly power rule) and basic integration. However, to understand how/why the calculus is used in physics might take you a while. So if you are taking the Physics C test, I recommend you start studying Calculus right now. And while you're at it, if I were you I would also take the Calculus AB exam.</p>
<p>I second cooldude11989. I got ap cal AB 5 BC 5 , Ap Physicus class without my cal background would have been a challenge!</p>