HS- Revised Physics Curriculum level downgraded in some states? Also the AP Physics Score for AP Physics 1 willnot be transferreed any more. Is this true? Then why AP Physics Exam ?
It is unclear what you are asking. Do you have a source for your info?
AP physics 1 or 2 (or its predecessor B) is unlikely to be worth anything as subject credit in college anyway. It is intended to emulate a non-calculus physics course for biology majors and pre-meds. However, medical schools usually want to see actual college courses, not AP credit, and non-calculus physics courses do not lead to more advanced physics courses, so pre-meds need to retake the physics courses anyway.
The switch from AP physics B to 1 and 2, with many high schools making 1 and 2 a two year sequence that is taken without previously taking regular high school physics, means that students may be less prepared for the SAT subject test in physics after AP physics 1, compared to those who had regular high school physics. AP physics 1 goes into more depth, but does not cover all of the topics that are supposed to be covered in regular high school physics or tested on the SAT subject test.
For our kids’ private school, AP Physics 1 just replaced Pre-AP Physics. If the goal is to take the subject test, another year with calculus based physics is necessary.
Could AP Physics 1 be a way for non STEM college majors to place out of their science requirement?
Possibly, if the college allows AP credit against breadth requirements. However, many students (presumably future non-science majors) avoid physics in high school completely, so they would not even consider taking any AP physics.
My older son was required to take high school physics - not sure if it was a state or district requirement. He plans to major in business so he will be very happy to take the physics credit in college and move on. All of the schools he is looking at- state flagships give credit for Physics 1 and then another semester for Physics 2. Even with the changes, it still is a good deal for him- assuming he gets a 4.
My son took AP Physics as a junior and took two AP tests so he completed Physics 1 and 2 in one year. As a senior, he will take AP Physics C which is the calculus based course.
This is how our high school handled this. From what I can tell, the Physics 1 and 2 APs count for two semesters of non-STEM or engineering physics.
I don’t think the level has been downgraded. I think what happened is that students were taking a year of physics prior to physics B. The college board decided it would make more sense to cover each topic once in a more organized way over 2 years. Probably didn’t hurt from the college board point of view that they can now charge money for two AP tests instead of one.
So, is AP Physics 1 and 2 not much more than a rehash of regular physics? My son took regular this year–I’m wondering if he should bother with AP 1&2. (There is no AP Physics C offered at his school at this point–he wants to major in Mechanical Eng.)
Three years seems awfully long to me to spend on physics without calculus. I think Physics 1 and 2 are not meant to be taken after physics, they stand alone. My daughter took Physics B in its last year and she wished she hadn’t taken a year of physics prior to that. So I think even two years on this material is too much.
Note that AP physics 1 and 2, if taught as a year long course each, covers material at a slower pace than physics for biology majors does in college. So they can be considered “AP lite” type of courses in this case.
For a student strong in math and science, they might reasonably be combined into a year long course (like the old AP physics B) and used as an honors physics course for a student taking physics the first time (as some schools used AP physics B).
Thanks ucbalumnus and mathyone–we need to rethink next year’s class schedule.
Presumably there are study guides and released tests? available for Physics 1 and 2 by now. I’d have your son look them over and see if he feels he would learn much in those classes or if he already knows most of it. He won’t get credit for it from an Engineering program, but it might be helpful if he doesn’t feel he’s mastered that material and doesn’t have anything else he feels would be more useful to take.
Good idea–thanks!
My son had no problem completing Physics 1 and 2 in a single school year. Our old Physics B covered most of Physics 1 and 2 so the school just added a bit of material to the class. This course was his first physics course. He thinks he scored a 4-5 on the AP.s. He completed pre-calc preAP at the same time.
Next year he will take Calculus and Physics C for his math and science sequence.
The advice about looking at the Physics 1 and 2 AP tests is good. Your son probably knows much of the material and with a bit of work, he could take these AP tests next year; however, the credit is of negligible value for a MechE. You might want to save your money.
Thanks, txstella! Current sophomores are in school at a weird transitional point–switch over for AP Physics, intro of common core, and, now, the new SAT.