Question regarding AP PHYSICS

<p>Is it true that you can either take the Physics B or Physics C (both parts included in Physics C), but not both? If so, do you think it wise to study Physics C independently during the same time I take Physics B (my school only offers Physics B) and then just sign up for Physics C? I would really love to get credit at MIT for getting 5's on Physics C (of course that is easier said than done, but you guys get the idea), and if I sign up for Physics B, I will not be able to take the Physics C exam.</p>

<p>You can't take both in the same year, but you can take B one year and C the next. And unless you got into MIT EA, I wouldn't justify doing anything so you can "get credit at MIT." Would kinda be like putting the cart before the horse.</p>

<p>Yeah, you cannot take both test in the same year so it must be a 2 year span. Also, Physics C is very broad in topic areas and will be a bit hard for self-studying. Unless you are positively sure that you can pull it off, I wouldn't suggest self-studying.</p>

<p>Duuuur, Physics B is the broad one. C is narrower, but deeper, with calculus. AND A HELLA LONG TEST.</p>

<p>[taking AP Physics C] :]</p>

<p>Take physics B, provided that you have a good teacher and then you can self-study the C portions. About 5 or 6 people at my school do this each year and have left with combinations of 5's and 4's on the Mechanics and EM tests. Imo, that's the best option when your school offers Physics B but not C. Getting 5's on both exams depends on how well you understood the B material and how much you're willing to self-study (I think most people start in april).</p>

<p>snipez90,
are you saying that the 5 or 6 people study Physics C at the same time they take Physics B? Also, what do you mean people start self-studying in April? Isn't it a bit late to prepare for the exam in April?</p>

<p>Yes, since there is quite a bit of overlap between B and C despite their differences. Actually because our physics B teacher provides materials for self-studying the topics pertaining to C, a month is enough to prepare (AP tests are in May). Ask your teacher for whatever resources he has regarding physics C and maybe a month is not enough. I still think that taking physics B and even getting just a review book (such as princeton review) can prepare you for both tests easier than self-studying physics C from scratch.</p>

<p>wow, thanks. So is paying close to $1,000 to take EPGY online courses for both parts of Physics C kind of stupid? I mean, if I can use the help of my Physics B teacher to study the material, that stuff is all free. In fact, I know that my parents would not be too hot about paying that much money for something I can prepare for for free. Thanks.</p>

<p>I have heard that EPGY courses are better than most online courses and that may be why it's so costly. I mean it's not a bad investment if you plan on majoring in physics (and you are aren't you? or was that someone else...) because you'll probably be a better problem solver and the course will fill in the gaps a review book can't. It's really up to you. Hopefully your goal is to learn physics and not just to get 5's</p>

<p>yeah. i hope to study it at Princeton or MIT and I need to know that whatever I do will give me the best understanding of the material as possible.</p>