Is taking AP Physics and AP Chemistry the same year a stupid decision?

I am eligible and have nothing else to do, so why not?

If math and science come easily to you, there’s no problem.

If you’re good at science, no. My D took both junior year.

My kid took both junior year.

My son is currently taking both and our school teaches AP Physics 1 and 2 as one class, he’s not having a problem. Go for it.

Which AP Physics?

AP Physics 1 should be no problem for a STEM-kid. AP Physics C might be a time suck to take concurrently with AP Chem.

Ditto the above posts- consensus seems to be to do it. Not uncommon to take two sciences at the same time. My son took the advanced Biology (AP version not offered- some schools prefer different material) and AP Chemistry senior year along with AP Calculus and AP statistics plus other classes (some AP). He took AP physics instead of regular physics earlier. STEM major in college (along with many nonscience electives beyond breadth reqs).

The stupid decision would be to avoid any challenges and to be bored.

Well, it doesn’t really matter now. Since I am in an advanced mathematics pathway, my counselor and the science department head promoted from Honors Physics to AP Physics C. I am enrolled in BC Calc, however am already proficient in Calculus and it is a super easy class for me. I will do AP Chem next year when I am a junior.

Ah- you have plenty of time left in HS to take classes. Looks like your school offers a good number of AP choices as well and looks out for students. Remember to challenge yourself with nonSTEM AP classes as well.

Will you be taking both classes of Physics C Mechanics and E and M? Each class is supposed to represent one semester of a college class. Physics is challenging for a lot of students. It may or may not be for you.

Chemistry isn’t too hard per se, but very time consuming. Make sure you understand all the lab procedures as well because they are crucial to truly understanding chemistry.

Good luck!

Physics C can be much easier than Chem or Bio because there are a lot less to memorize, as long as your math is strong and your understanding of basic physics concepts from prereq is solid. Bio would be hard or at least time consuming for anyone without photographic memory. Chem in between.