SAT Physics with Self-Studying AP Physics

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

Hey,

I am a junior in high school who is planning to take the SAT Physics exam twice, June and October 2016. In order to do this, I am self-studying AP Physics 1 and 2 with the following resources: Bozeman Science, edX, a textbook, about three prep books, practice exams and a teacher who is tutoring me about an hour per week. The only physics course I ever took was during my freshman year with the math skill of Algebra.

Would colleges be impressed if I score a 4 or 5 on both the AP Physics exams and score over a 700 on the SAT Physics portion? My primary goal is NOT to impress colleges with these scores, but to learn more about physics along with taking the SAT Physics exam. My school does not offer any AP science class, and I have a really strong passion for physics. Assuming my scores are pretty good on these exams, do you guys think if I wrote about the experience on my personal-statement along with submitting my scores, this would impress colleges? Writing about the experience and passion I have for physics while disciplining myself to learn more. I have attempted to take science courses at my local community colleges, but every class is full. I am going to take a course at one of the community colleges for-sure, but not a science one.

I’d love to hear anyone’s experience in a similar situation with this exam, and any other resources that may be of assistance for SAT Physics, Math II, and Chem.

Thanks.

2

Physics 1 and 2 is algebra-based physics and is meant to be a first course in physics. It should be very accessible for you to self-study since you’ve already had a year of algebra-based physics, not even a pre-req for those classes.

I would take the SAT physics exam when you’ve finished the material. Why plan on taking it twice?

My daughter used the Barrons Physics C book to self-study Physics C and was able to get a 5, though she at least had a class for Physics B. Not sure if Barrons has a Physics 1 and 2 book but they probably do and in my limited experience I’ve found Barrons to be the best test prep books, though certainly not free of errors. She did take the old physics B class, but I don’t recall the name of the textbook they used. You might get some commentary if you post the name of the textbook you are using. In one of the test prep forums you may find more discussion of resources.

She also used the Barrons for Math2, though she didn’t study much for that exam.