<p>Hello All,
I am a junior that will be applying to the University of Pennsylvania's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences next year. I am aware of the fact that the Physics Subject Test is highly desirable and sometimes even required by applicants to top Engineering schools, such as this one. My dilemma is that I have minimum exposure to the subject, as I am currently taking a Physics Honors course, and my teacher, to say the least, is not sufficient ;). I looked at some of the practice problems on the CollegeBoard website, and I was completely lost. I plan to take the Physics SAT II either in June or October, which would be cutting it very close. What would be the best way for me to go about approaching this test? I hope to score above 750. Thank You! :)</p>
<p>The same way u get rich quick and lose 20 lbs in a week!</p>
<p>Thanks for the sass. I’m serious.</p>
<p>prep books</p>
<p>Are there specific prep books you would recommend? Any studying methods?</p>
<p>@9penn9 </p>
<p>Hello there. I never took the physics subject test, since I was naive enough to listen to my adviser’s bull, but I have looked at the practice problems released on the SAT websites and found around the internet. In your situation, I would say that self-studying is the way to go. </p>
<p>Just use this: <a href=“SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides”>SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides; to look over the topics usually presented on the test. It can serve as a study guide of sorts, but don’t expect it to go real deep into the topics. It usually only covers what it needs to, and not much more, so do with that as you will.</p>
<p>Ok, thank you NotYetEngineer</p>
<p>Any more advice?</p>
<p>It depends on whether your teacher covers enough physics topics.
Unlike other subjects, many people disagree on what book is the best for physics test. Same for AP Physics. </p>
<p>Make sure to study all the topics in SAT II physics. My teacher was a perfect extract of awfulness and half the questions were not covered by neither my class nor Barrons prep book. Use 5 steps for prepping…</p>
<p>@9penn9 </p>
<p>Well, not really test-taking advice, but more of “how it works”. The subject test is similar to the AP test, in that the given score is determined by how well you do compared to others. So while a perfect score would be pretty cool, it is not necessary (most of the time, anyhow). 800’s can be earned without perfect scores. It depends of how well others do, so hope that you get “bombers” (people who completely mess up) this time. </p>
<p>Thanks @NotYetEngineer
Do you guys think that it is realistic for me to be scoring a 750+ by June?</p>
<p>If you understand all topics in SAT 2 physics, it shoouldn’t be hard.
Good news is, AP/SAT 2 physics tests have the biggest curve.</p>
<p>@9penn9 </p>
<p>That is hard to say. Some people have a natural affinity for physics, so they understand it quickly. However, it can be a difficult subject for many. You mentioned you have had minimal exposure to the subject. That is a problem. 6 months is a while to learn some of the topics, but it depends on how well you can grasp the concepts. </p>
<p>In short, I can’t say for sure. You can try, but if you feel unlikely to score within that range by then, I would postpone taking the test until senior year.</p>
<p>@9penn9 </p>
<p>What @paul2752 says is true. Physics in standardized tests tend to have the most generous curves, since not many like to go near it. In fact, I believe once upon a time, one could score a 5 on the AP test with only half the answers correct.</p>
<p>Not related, but the reasons that physics have the biggest curve is because first, not many people understand it 100% Many of physics principles are counter-intuitive. Second, many physics teachers are not qualified to teach them.
Study suggest that vast majority of high school science teachers don’t have degrees that are appropriate for what they teach; for example, my physics teacher majored in chemistry, not physics. Since high schools need someone who need to teach it anyway, they hire people who are not necessarily well versed in physics.</p>
<p>can anyone suggest review books?</p>
<p>@paul2752 @NotYetEngineer </p>
<p>I already said 5 steps</p>
<p>oh thank you</p>
<p>For the books go with Barron’s and princeton review, since you have time work with both.</p>