<p>Ok so, I am a sophomore and I signed up to take 4 AP exams, one of which I am self studying (APES). I have just realized with about a month to go that we are SUPER far behind in AP Physics B. As in we haven't done Thermal physics, waves, optics, atomic/nuclear physics yet. And even the topics we have covered, we didn't do any AP practice.The physics b teachers aren't the best. Anyway, on top of that I have sports practice 2 hrs after school and other classes and stuff to worry about. Should I just not take the AP Physics B test? I am taking physics c next year, but the teacher is really good for that. So I was thinking I should just self study the rest of b over the summer so I am ready to go for c next year. Does this seem like a good idea? How bad does it look if you don't take one of the AP exams? </p>
<p>If you take C without B and do well, there’s no problem. Just like taking Calc BC without AB. </p>
<p>However, aren’t you losing 89 bucks? </p>
<p>Theoretically, yes, but my state has this thing where they want encourage students to take math and science related courses, so any math/science AP exam is only $15 instead of $89. Thanks for your reply! I’m a little calmer now. </p>
<p>As someone who took the Physics B exam last year (got a 5 on it), I would say that whether you want to take the Physics B exam (at this point, considering the circumstances you mention) is a matter of how much time you want to devote to studying the material you haven’t covered from now until the date of the exam. It sounds like you’re a pretty busy person (with sports and other advanced classes going on), so it might be hard to devote an hour or so each day to coming home and strictly focusing on learning the remaining Physics B topics - thermodynamics, fluids, waves/optics, and atomic/nuclear physics.</p>
<p>The good news is that the curve for the Physics B exam is insanely helpful (and even more insanely helpful for Physics C). I’m not saying this to make it seem like the Physics B exam is completely BS-able (totally made up that word) - but I can tell you that I was not expecting to receive a 5 on the exam after I walked out feeling unconfident of my performance on the exam day. However, I really don’t think I could have pulled a 5 on the Physics B exam if it weren’t for my teacher, who made the effort to finish the curriculum 2 weeks early so we’d have time to review.</p>
<p>So if you decide that putting in the extra effort (or should I say the effort your teacher didn’t make to pace the material covered fast enough) will be too demanding, then perhaps not sitting for the Physics B exam will be your preferable option (especially if you’re a high-achiever - which it sounds like you are - and you don’t want to risk getting a 3 or below on the exam). If you choose to do that, I’d probably check with your school administration to figure out what will happen if you choose to not sit for an exam that was already ordered for you (I’m assuming it means that when you get your score report in June, it will appear as though you never took the Physics B exam). But since you’re taking Physics C next year (and it seems like the teacher for that class is much better than the one you currently have for Physics B), you can guarantee yourself that your experience in Physics B will be good preparation for Physics C - haven taken the Physics B exam or not.</p>
<p>If you do choose to take the exam, and you feel like you need some supplementary material (perhaps, besides your textbook), I highly recommend this review book (Link: <a href=“http://www.amazon.com/AP-Advantage-Physics-James-Mooney/dp/1413804918”>http://www.amazon.com/AP-Advantage-Physics-James-Mooney/dp/1413804918</a> ). I used this review book last year for Physics B (I’m currently using the Physics C edition of this review book to study for the upcoming C exams), and it was extremely concise and helpful. You won’t find it in your local Barnes & Noble or local bookstore/library, but I can guarantee you that if you were to use this book to study the remainder of the materials on the Physics B exam that you haven’t covered, that you would NOT feel overwhelmed learning it. I tried using Barron’s, and I’ve skimmed through Princeton’s book for Physics B, and none of them compare to the succinctness and clarity delivered by the AP Advantage review book for Physics B! Though it might be a stretch to suggest learning essentially half of the Physics B curriculum from a review book in just a few weeks, it definitely IS possible. And it IS possible to get a 4 or 5 exam with just a little studying on your own - even for material you haven’t yet covered!</p>
<p>Good luck and best of luck to you on your decision!!!</p>
<p>Wow jazzyjordan, you have no idea how much that post helped. Thank you!!! Seriously.
Anyway, I have decided to take the exam and if feel like I absolutely failed it, I will cancel my score.
Thanks again!</p>