Self-Studying APs: Improving Your App

<p>Bio is okay. I don’t recommend self studying Chem though. And @chess94 I guess self studying English shouldn’t be that hard, but I’ve just never heard of anyone doing it.</p>

<p>Self studying English depends on the student. I consider myself a particularly talented writer, so the AP Literature exam was a joke for me. A lot of the concepts in Literature are just based on innate knowledge, such as how well one can analyze a passage. There was no reviewing for me to do for the Literature exam, other than probably going over a few literary terms, so I’d say self-studying the exam is quite manageable if one is a talented English student.</p>

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<p>Self-studying AP Bio would not be too difficult, but rather time consuming, as is it all memorization. I do not recommend self studying AP Chem, though, as it is far more conceptual.</p>

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<p>Would you say that it is more or less conceptual than AP Physics B?</p>

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<p>And I would strongly disagree. I self studied Physics B while taking a Physics Honors course (note the course only essentially covered mechanics). I found it to be an enlightening, though challenging, experience. And I would recommend anybody whose school doesn’t offer AP Physics B or C, to self-study Physics B (or C if they know calculus) as long as they are up for a challenge. And if you find out its too much for you or Physics just isn’t for you, you can always stop. But completing the self-study of Physics B/Physics C is extremely rewarding. If anyone is self-studying Physics B, I would recommend they get the Giancoli Physics textbook with the Princeton Review Physics B Prep Guide. They make an excellent combo and should be all you need.</p>

<p>Well^ to tell you the truth I’ve never taken a high school physics course before so I really don’t know. If it’s easy I might self study also. I will be in honors physics next year.</p>

<p>So I can self study physics B without knowing any calculus?</p>

<p>^Yes, you can self Physics B without knowing any calculus. You just need pretty basic algebra and basic trig. It is most definitely not “easy,” but it is very rewarding.</p>

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<p>I have not formally learned Physics B in school, but I am in the process of self-studying it right now via Sparknotes in preparation for next school year, and it seems comparable. However, a lot of my friends who have taken both Physics B and Chemistry say Physics B is harder conceptually.</p>

<p>It may make my courseload too much with AP Spanish, AP Bio, ApWH, then self study Psych and Physics? In addition to all of my honors courses like chem, physics algebra 11, and english 11</p>

<p>I recommend self-studying AP Enviro Sci. I self-studied and recieved a 5. It was probably the easiest AP test I have taken. However, I would recommend buying a textbook and the Princeton AP review book to prepare for the test.</p>

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<p>Thanks .</p>

<p>You are quite very welcome.</p>

<p>So guys…One question. Shall I self study Psych and Envirno, or Psych and Physics B?
I’m more of a conceptual person.</p>

<p>And these are the formal school classes I’ll be in AP Spanish, AP Bio, APWH, honors: courses chem, physics algebra 11, and english 11</p>

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<p>As much of a conceptual person as you are, I’ve heard Physics B is still hard as fruck. With that in mind, I would recommend self-studying psychology and environmental science. Granted, there is a lot of memorization involved in both courses, but one still will need to apply concepts. In the end, though, it really all comes down to which of the three subjects interests you most.</p>

<p>I recommend psychology. All you need is a princeton review study book. The test is quite simple. I finished with 20 minutes on the mc section and tried to take a nap. You don’t really need to apply concepts in psych because it is just memorization.</p>

<p>Also, fun fact: the record for the most AP’s for a Harvard freshman is 15.</p>

<p>I’d say my interests are mostly mathematical, but I enjoy the sciences as well.</p>

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<p>Very fun fact indeed. Although, that seems a bit low to be a record. As far as I’m concerned, there are a couple of people at my school en route to a higher number of APs than 15 at the close of senior year. You may know who I’m talking about?</p>

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<p>Hmm…that seems veryyy low. Also, I think that may show that APs are definitely not the most important criteria, because that means that people with +15 were rejected… (Or possibly chose not to matriculate)</p>

<p>^No idea who I should be ~15 by senior year as well.
For me-</p>

<p>Freshman-
Human Geography</p>

<p>Sophomore-
Psychology
Spanish Lang
Biology
Environmental Science
World History</p>

<p>Junior
English Lang Composition
US History
Physics
Chemistry
Statistics
One More</p>

<p>Senior
Calculus AB
English Literature
Economics Micro
Government: US
Economics Macro
Maybe one more.</p>