<p>I got a 5 in AP Physics B, and a a string of A+s in Hon. Physics (11th) and AP Physics (12th), but took SAT Physics twice and got 690 and a 680. the 680 shocked me out because i was scoring 800 on barrons practices, but the q here is, would princeton care much abt my Physics SATs when seeing my AP and school grades.</p>
<p>Physics B and SAT have the same syllabus...and the stats show:</p>
<p>8% of ppl get 800 in physics, and 11% get 5s on AP</p>
<p>I'm not an authority, but are you sure the SAT Physics test covers topics that aren't included in Physics B? I'm sure many of the kids who sit for the SAT have had the extra topics in Physics C, which would explain the harsh curve and your relatively low performance. If I were an adcom (that's a big IF), I would not automatically assume that your school has inflated grades because of your scores.</p>
<p>Physics C is calc based, and im certain that SAT covers none of what C covers and covers only Physics B, and maybe a q or two on semiconductors which isnt a part of B. considering this, what would you say?</p>
<p>My two cents....</p>
<p>If you are not applying for a degree in Engineering, then your scores are competitive. At Princeton, if you are an AB student, you could get advanced placement for your 5 in the AP Physics B but not for an 800 in SAT II Physics. Personally, I think your AP score is a better indication of your knowledge of the subject than your SAT II score.</p>
<p>Since you are concerned about your scores, then take another SAT II subject but I would concentrate on the application especially the essays.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>During admissions, the SAT2's are looked much more heavily on(most schools dont even ask for ap scores)</p>
<p>SATII physics covers a bit lot of material--notably, lab and physics history--that B doesn't cover. B obviously goes into considerably more depth. Just a note though: the Barrons' book sucks for physics. Go Princeton review. The cutoff for an 800 on the Physics SATII is about 14 wrong, which is pretty liberal, so with a bit of study you could probably do well if you use a better book. Although the best way to redeem a low II score would be to take some physics C (probably mechanics--the B curriculum for E/M is weak so you'd have to study more for that.) You only need simple calculus, so it's pretty doable.</p>
<p>(I teach multiple physics classes at my high school so I am fairly familiar with the curricula >>; )</p>
<p>Edit: I know little about the whole college-caring thing, but APs>SATs. They're just plain harder and less arbitrary, you can't get a 5 without knowing your stuff.</p>
<p>um i think u definitely can get a 5 without knowing your stuf
for example u need to know very little calc to get a 5 on calc bc - its not that hard
its not easy but not insanely hard if u know something
and aps are harder than sat2s but colleges look more upon sat2s i believe</p>
<p>You need to be able to get a 70 on a decently difficult math test. That requires quite a bit, considering the nature of the beast. The high percentage of 5s is because so many people take AB first, so BC is even simpler. That, and the percentage is much lower for every single other test. Top schools seem to care about APs much more than SATIIs, I think, because APs are much higher level, and in the case of the sciences second-year course tests.</p>
<p>I disagree just because colleges aren't even asking for AP scores on their applications. Or are we supposed to put them down under supplemental info.</p>
<p>um...i have talked to some of my friends parents who are people at the princeton admissions office, they don't look at AP scores until after you get in to figure out your placement in terms of classes, AP scores only matter for college course placement, it will not affect your chances of getting into the college, at least at princeton, however your grade in the AP class as well as your SAT and SATIIs will be checked over and will influence whether you get in =P</p>
<p>There's usually a place for them in the supplement. At least, I know there is in the Harvard supplement...</p>
<p>callthecops is right about saII content, i took physics c this past year and did well on the ap but had to cram lotsa new things in to do as well on the satII...</p>
<p>Just a comment on the stats: A lot more people who are a lot less prepared take the SAT II, whereas people who are a lot more prepared (and often more inclined towards physics) take the APs, particularly C.</p>
<p>dowjones, i dont agree w. u because as far as iv heard, when u submit ur AP scores, colleges look at it as a part of ur application to assess how good u are. a 5 will help i know, but since B is very similar to II, my q is if Princeton will place less weight on the terrible IIs.</p>