<p>This might seem a little bit early, but some other subjects already have a thread for next school year. The 2014 AP Physics B exam will be the last one ever. After that, to get college credit for non-calculus based physics, you must take two separate exams: AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2. I heard that this year's exam had one form which was impossible. Anyone have some tips?</p>
<p>After taking the AP Chemistry course last year with almost NO background, I understand how brutal the AP Sciences can be. This summer, I am self studying the AP Physics B course before I enter the school year next year. Since I have no background in Physics as well , I don’t want to set myself up for the same mistake as last year. I am using Princeton Review 2013 edition(This Past Year) and have already covered vectors, Newton’s laws, kinematics, work, energy, and power. I have high confidence in the Princeton review system. It helped me to earn an 800 on my SAT math level 2 and Probably a 5 on the AP Chemistry. Also, I would recommend taking an AP Calculus course concurrent with the AP Physics class since there appears to be connection between the two. If you understand Calculus, it will allow you to learn Physics in greater depth and provide less difficulty with the topics.</p>
<p>I’m taking AP Physics next year as a senior, and I’m wondering what would be helpful to know prior to taking the course. I’ve already taken a physics class, but it was a while ago, and I don’t know if I still remember the basics.</p>
<p>Hey guys! Taking AP Physics B class this year! My teacher told me how much better it would be for Math students compared to chemistry, so I’m happy :D. Anyone taking the AP Physics B test along with AP Physics C: Mechanics test? I’m doing both, not E/M since its too hard.</p>
<p>I just took the Physics B AP exam and got my score back. I got a 4. I think this was because of my lack of prep of E&M(which is just annoyingly tough sometimes).</p>
<p>My advice: Learn the E&M material(at least some of it) over the summer or whenever you have time. Mechanics is should be really easy for anybody on here. I’m taking Physics C next year and I’m prepping by self reviewing the E&M stuff.</p>
<p>If you are going to learn/master E&M material, make sure you have mastered Mechanics first. CB just loves asking questions with both combined (like the speed of a rod in a magnetic field, or the the speed of a rod on earth x meters off the ground in an electric field and magnetic field, or the momentum of an electron in an induced current in a loop, just to give some examples).</p>
<p>And so it begins. I’m a very math-oriented person, so I think I’ll do well in this class and exam. </p>
<p>I’m going to aim for a 5.</p>
<p>I’m sure you’ll do fine. Although the exam covers a lot of material, it’s all pretty basic and repetitive.</p>
<p>Speaking of which, which was the impossible form from the 2013 test administration? I want to know if I had it or not.</p>
<p>I’m a rising Junior and my schedule for the next two years is crammed with APs and I have no space for Physics. My counselor said that since I never took any sort of physics before I will have hard time in pre med (which is weird) so now I’m self studying it for next year. I’m using the princeton review 2013 and it’s been helpful, ish. But lucky me I’ll ne taking the exam may 23rd so yay! 
I guess I’ll be on this thread a lot for next year so Hi everyone! :)</p>
<p>What’s the best text for this class? I’m going with Giancoli right now, but I don’t know if it’ll be the best choice. Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Physics to me is more of I want to touch the subject since while I’ve done AP Bio and Chem I’ve never done a physics course. My school goes a bit fast so I’ll be doing AP Physics B in one semester and the other two at the same time in the second semester. Pretty strong math background so I don’t see math causing any trouble so we’ll see if learning physics is as fun as looking at sci fi (which tends to deal with physics more then other sciences). Currently as it’s not a self study I don’t intend to do any study for the ap tests beyond the amount I’ll need to keep an A in the classes until second semester.</p>
<p>Hey y’all, I’m a rising junior and I’m taking AP Physics B this school semester too. At my school, it’s a year round course and we have it for 1 hour and 30 minutes each day. I’m especially nervous because even though I’ve already taken AP Bio and AP Chem and I’ve done pretty well in both of those courses, I’m jumping into AP Physics B without experience from PAP Physics. Also, I’ve heard from my upperclassmen friends (even the ones that haven’t taken it) that it’s <em>super</em> difficult and that the test curving is really fishy… Then again, I’ve also heard that PAP Physics and AP Physics B are pretty similar.
I really have no insight to offer in regards to the course, but anyone have any tips on how to be successful in it?</p>
<p>Hey! I was in the same boat last year when I took AP Physics B too! I did take PAP Physics for the spring semester the year before that (long story), but my teacher didn’t really teach the class anything as all we did was labs and projects (but it was fun!!). I ended up teaching my self physics that year. I ended up with a 5 on the AP exam, and 5s on both AP Physics C exams all last year! But enough about me, the point of me saying as such was to say it is totally possible to do well in the class without any experience. My AP Physics B teacher even told us that he had students before in the same exact situation as you, and they earned 3s and 4s on the exam.</p>
<p>As for tips, just review like crazy. The exam covers a lot of material, like a lot. If anything, make sure that you master at least Mechanics, Electricty and Magnetism, and Fluid Mechanics or Thermodynamics. You should get at least a 3, if not a 4 or 5 then. Also, try to understand why the equations make sense. That way, when you start doing problem solving, you can go “oh, this is a conservation of energy problem” or “oh, this involves basic kinematics with waves” pretty easily without staring at your equation sheet going “what do I do?”.
I’ve been told by many teachers to always try to nab as many points as possible on the AP exams. Although I personally don’t like this with subjects in the natural sciences, it’s pretty handy to note for those who do struggle a little on the exams.</p>
<p>As a last tip, you’ll not know how hard something is until you try it out. So go for it!</p>
<p>I’m strangely excited for this class. I did Bio last year, so I don’t really have much of a background in math-based sciences, but so far it has been easy. I’m also going to be retaking the ACT, and the physics problems on science have been my downfall, so hopefully the class will help with that.</p>
<p>Which books should we use?</p>
<p>Hi! I’m a rising junior and am planning to self-study AP Physics B this year. I took a really basic physics course two years ago, but the textbook we used didn’t seem to cover much. I already have the Princeton Review book but was thinking that it might be helpful to have an additional resource to refer to. Does anyone know of a good textbook that is preferably not too expensive?</p>
<p>My class uses Giancoli, and seems to be popular among other students on this site. No idea about the price but it’s a real textbook not a prep book so more expensive. But it shouldn’t be too bad on ebay or something.</p>
<p>Not too confident with Physics at the moment, mostly because we’re still on the same chapter (Kinematics) since August. This is mostly because my teacher isn’t teaching the class very seriously and is super busy with Student Council. I might end up self-studying for the exam; any advice on how I should study for this exam?</p>
<p>Last year I got a three on the exam. Is it worth it to retake if I am now taking Ap physics C mechanics and E and M (self study)?</p>
<p>Does anyone have any resources they would like to share? My physics teacher just rambles about his life so I’m going to have to self study for this…</p>