First year of AP Exams

<p>Hey guys, decided to stop creepin' around and finally get an account on CC.</p>

<p>Anyway, this year is going to be my first year of taking APs and I was hoping for some advice. I'm taking:
USH
EngLang
Calc AB
Bio(self study)
Environmental(self study)
(considering Physics B after I take Honors Physics first semester)</p>

<p>I had a few questions about my preparedness for my course load and some of the classes I'm to be taking.
For AP Calc AB, should I look over material or review PreCalculus concepts before going into AB? I made a high B in PreCal but got an A on the exam. My mental math skills are better than most around me. Just wondering if anything is going to catch me unexpectedly.</p>

<p>For AP Bio(and ES), I know that Chemistry is a prerequisite and that it relates to Biology in many ways, but I haven't taken a Chemistry course yet. I'm planning on taking it online during my first semester, or do you recommend that I take it in an actual classroom setting? Is AP Bio extremely different from Honors Bio? I scored a 4 on the EOC, placed in the 98th percentile for the state, and had an award winning teacher. Do you think I'd be prepared for self study at a school that won't offer it as a class this year?</p>

<p>Nothing will be unexpected, but reviewing PreCalc never hurts. If you have some spare time then go for it.</p>

<p>The difference between AP/honors is based on school. They were basically the same at my school, but there could be a huge difference at your school. Chem isn’t really necessary for Bio, but if you took it online or self studied it, then that’s fine. No issues there. </p>

<p>You could just drop the ES self study IMO. Self studied courses aren’t seen as highly as taking the class, and you could just devote the remaining time to your other classes. AP classes can be overwhelming initially so you don’t want to put too much pressure on yourself. Good luck.</p>

<p>I dont know about ES, because I am taking it this year, but for Bio I feel that I learned sooo much more in Honors and then in AP we just cruised. I mean we just learned a few more details, but that was it. Either way I just had to prepare for like 2 weeks before the exam using Barrons only and then I got a 5. Don’t worry I think less than 1 % of Bio requires Chemistry knowledge…</p>

<p>ES-it’s preety easy I heard so it’s your choice of taking it.
I am actually taking chemistry and it’s preety hard for me but I a just like reading it. Biology is preety easy. cal AB-I really don’t know.</p>

<p>I’m still in the process of consideration for AP ES. It was originally only Bio, but I may want to major in Earth and Environmental Science, not completely sure yet. I may just cut out a class to place AP ES there.
Another question.
Would I be at an advantage/disadvantage being the only one at my school taking the AP Bio exam? Or should I find a way to take the test at another high school the day of?</p>

<p>I’ve been the only one taking an exam for around 5-6 classes at my school. Don’t worry about it. Just make sure they give you a quiet place and you’ll do fine.</p>