<p>Hi,</p>
<p>before I ask any questions I thought I would give you a littlebit of background information that might help you answer my questions. I graduated from Highschool in Switzerland in 2009. Back then I wasn't really interested in sciences so my whole highschool "career" was organized around economics. The college level courses I took were:</p>
<p>AP Calculus AB (Grade: 5)
AP Microeconomics (Grade: 5)
AP Macroeconomics (Grade: 5)
AP German (Grade: 5)
AP English Language & Composition (Grade: 2)
AP European History (Grade: 3)</p>
<p>However in recent times I have become fascinated by sciences. I don't know why they suddenly seem so intersting but I have decided to quit studying Economics and study Physics or Chemistry instead. The only problem is the requirements to study in Germany (my home country). In order to be able to study a science in Germany, I need to have at least a 3 in AP Chemistry, AP Biology or AP Physics C. Since I am not enrolled in any school I will need to prepare for the AP exam in may by myself.</p>
<p>Which one of the three subjects is the easiest to study for? Which one the hardest? Do you guys know of any good virtual hight schools or online courses? </p>
<p>I haven't opened a science textbook for years. Do you even think it's possible to do any of the sciences which such a bad background knowledge?</p>
<p>Do you have any recommendations on how to study?</p>
<p>Sorry for my bad english (not my first language)</p>
<p>Thanks in advance</p>
<p>quanta144</p>
<p>Hey quanta! :)</p>
<p>Wow I really admire your decision to self-study all the way, but I would guess you’re in for lots of hard work haha. </p>
<p>Easiest to study for: no way to say which one is easiest. Some people just have better abilities in chem or bio. If your math was pretty good then maybe physics would be good for you. It’s a personal choice, really! Go with the one you like the most, not which one appears to be easiest.</p>
<p>About online courses, I never used any so it’s hard for me to say, but I would think that it depends on your budget. Stanford’s EPGY is one of the most rigorous online courses, but they’re also really expensive. If you’re lucky, other parents will chime in here and give you advice!</p>
<p>Of course it’s possible, but if you think your background knowledge is really bad, then I’d start from the basics first. Look for self-paced courses or go to the library and pick up a few basic textbooks. If you can’t find American ones, go with the IGCSE syllabus (the UK one) and they have lots of practice questions. If you can master the IGCSE syllabus, APs will look fairly manageable! Science is about lots of practice and being analytical and stuff, so best of luck! :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the fast reply. I just came across the FLVS (Florida Virtual High School) site. They offer a self paced AP Biology course. The only downside is that it costs 800 $. Has someone taken this course at FLVS? Do you think it’s worth it?</p>
<p>Hey OP,</p>
<p>Are you wanting to take the AP exams in May, 2013? The problem of any live online classes is that most of them have started. I was going to recommend PA Homeschoolers [Pennsylvania</a> Homeschoolers AP Online Classes](<a href=“http://www.aphomeschoolers.com/]Pennsylvania”>http://www.aphomeschoolers.com/) but their classes have started.</p>
<p>What about using free online sources while getting yourself a study guide? None of these tests are easy, but if you’re motivated (and you are), you should be able to pull out a 3.</p>
<p>[Khan</a> Academy](<a href=“http://www.khanacademy.org/]Khan”>http://www.khanacademy.org/)</p>
<p>[HippoCampus</a> Biology - Homework and Study Help - Free help with your Biology homework](<a href=“http://www.hippocampus.org/Biology]HippoCampus”>HippoCampus Biology - Homework and Study Help - Free help with your Biology homework)</p>
<p>Also, Thinkwell is a great inexpensive resource for AP courses:</p>
<p>[Online</a> Videos | Online Courses - Math & Science online video courses](<a href=“http://www.thinkwell.com/]Online”>http://www.thinkwell.com/)</p>