<p>Hey I am planning on doing the SAT Subject Test in Physics in December and I am currently enrolled in AP Physics B (with no honors pre-requisite) so this is my first year in physics and I will have only covered roughly half of a year by December. Do you guys think the Barron's (newest edition) and Kaplan are good enough to self-study out of? I don't want to spend more money on PR...</p>
<p>NNNEEEEVVVVEEEERRRR USE KAPLAN. ITS SOOO BAD. Use Barron’s and Sparknotes. Barron’s tests are harder than the normal one, so it helps you out by conditioning you to harder questions. Sparknotes is more realistic. Kaplan is just… ****.</p>
<p>In my opinion, the SAT II Physics is a load of crap. Your situation is identical to mine and that if many other students. My advice: don’t take it. I had a full year of Physics Honors last year and over a month of AP Physics C, and in the two times I took it I got a 650 then 640. (Coming from a kid who got 800 on Math 2).
The test is really designed for kids for kids who take Physics C junior year, cuz otherwise it’s virtually impossible to teach yourself E&M, there’s so much. Take any other subject test, trust me.</p>
<p>But what if I need physics subject test for some schools I am applying to that WANT physics over bio or chem for a science test? And would Biology be easiest to review for since it’s memorization? I haven’t had AP Bio since sophomore year though… And I’m a senior.</p>
<p>I’ve never heard of a college that expresses preference of certain subject tests over others. If that’s actually the case, it’s a matter of going hard or going home. It’s not something you can half-ass and expect to score really well with your experience level. Since you barely have physics, I can’t guarantee that you’ll get above a 700, which is a bummer cuz that’s what I was hoping for. </p>
<p>Subject tests are usually supplementary (except for ivies), so I’m surprised to hear that you got input for which tests to take. Like I said, if you’re gonna do it, go all in and commit yourself. The studying will help in class too! I just personally can’t promote the idea when I had such a bad experience with it. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.</p>
<p>Oh ok thanks for your input. Anybody else taking physics and is in the same situation as I am?</p>
<p>I am…Taking it next saturday. Bought my barrons book last night, khan academying, starbucks studying, sparknotes…sparknotesing? you name it. All day physics. At this point I’m seeing floating numbers and vectors coming out of common objects. </p>
<p>Are you applying to carnegie, just wondering? </p>
<p>Anyways…having plenty of fun! Has anyone coined the term self-cramming?</p>
<p>Yes Barron’s is enough. That and looking at real tests. The key is you really have to know the material. In no way do you need Physics C for the subject test. You might want to supplement with sparknotes or something. Sometimes one gets stuck in rigid ways of looking at concepts and has a hard time applying them to novel problems like the SAT will give you. Using supplemental material will help you get a fresh look at the same concepts. I’m just speaking from personal experience.</p>
<p>Ok thank you both. And yes Magnezin I am applying to Carnegie Mellon.</p>