Hello!
I am a rising freshman and my school doesn’t offer any ap courses to freshman. However, I have some outside of school experience with algebra based mechanics and I’m planning on taking the Physics 1: Mechanics course from AoPS. (Art of Problem Solving). It is supposed to be equivalent to the material on the AP Physics 1 exam. I was wondering if it would look good to colleges if I took the exam and passed even though my school didn’t offer it. Will it just look useless?
This probably depends on the college. Some schools don’t like self studied AP scores, but some do. GPA and corse rigor are always more important. And you should know that the Physics 1 AP test has one of the lowest percentage of students receiving a passing grade. Seems like a big task for a HS freshman. But it can’t hurt to try! You could always not report it on your applications.
2023 AP Scores Distributions
| Subject | Percent Students Who Scored a 5 | Percent Students Who Scored a 4 | Percent Students Who Scored a 3 | Percent Students Who Scored a 2 | Percent Students Who Scored a 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Art and Design 2D Portfolio | 12% | 31% | 41% | 14% | 2% |
| AP Art and Design 3D Portfolio | 7% | 25% | 40% | 23% | 4% |
| AP Art and Design Drawing | 16% | 33% | 36% | 13% | 2% |
| AP Art History | 13% | 23% | 28% | 24% | 12% |
| AP Biology | 14% | 23% | 27% | 24% | 12% |
| AP Calculus AB | 22% | 16% | 20% | 22% | 20% |
| AP Calculus BC | 42% | 16% | 20% | 16% | 6% |
| AP Chemistry | 15% | 27% | 33% | 17% | 8% |
| AP Chinese | 50% | 17% | 18% | 6% | 9% |
| AP Comparative Government & Politics | 16% | 23% | 32% | 16% | 13% |
| AP Computer Science A | 27% | 22% | 18% | 10% | 23% |
| AP Computer Science Principles | 15% | 23% | 33% | 20% | 12% |
| AP English Language & Composition | 10% | 20% | 26% | 29% | 15% |
| AP English Literature & Composition | 15% | 28% | 34% | 14% | 9% |
| AP Environmental Sciences | 8% | 28% | 17% | 27% | 20% |
| AP European History | 13% | 21% | 25% | 29% | 12% |
| AP French | 12% | 25% | 37% | 20% | 6% |
| AP German | 19% | 21% | 26% | 20% | 14% |
| AP Human Geography | 16% | 20% | 18% | 14% | 32% |
| AP Italian | 20% | 22% | 29% | 18% | 11% |
| AP Japanese | 47% | 9% | 19% | 9% | 17% |
| AP Latin | 12% | 17% | 28% | 25% | 18% |
| AP Macroeconomics | 16% | 23% | 25% | 22% | 14% |
| AP Microeconomics | 18% | 26% | 22% | 21% | 13% |
| AP Music Theory | 20% | 17% | 24% | 24% | 15% |
| AP Physics 1 | 8% | 18% | 19% | 28% | 27% |
| AP Physics 2 | 15% | 17% | 36% | 26% | 6% |
| AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism | 31% | 24% | 13% | 20% | 12% |
| AP Physics C: Mechanics | 23% | 28% | 22% | 15% | 12% |
| AP Psychology | 17% | 23% | 20% | 12% | 28% |
| AP Research | 13% | 26% | 45% | 13% | 3% |
| AP Seminar | 11% | 20% | 57% | 11% | 1% |
| AP Spanish Language | 24% | 30% | 30% | 14% | 3% |
| AP Spanish Literature | 8% | 22% | 37% | 23% | 10% |
| AP Statistics | 15% | 22% | 23% | 16% | 24% |
| AP US Government and Politics | 13% | 11% | 25% | 24% | 27% |
| AP US History | 11% | 15% | 22% | 23% | 29% |
| AP World History | 15% | 22% | 28% | 22% | 13% |
Of course, there is a selection effect. AP physics 1 is probably taken by all sorts of college-bound students, while AP physics C is chosen only by those with strong interest in physics (or related subjects) and advanced enough standing in math. So it is no surprise that the AP score distributions are higher for C than 1. (A similar observation can be made for AP statistics versus calculus AB versus calculus BC.)
But 1 / 2 and C are mostly duplicative (though 1 / 2 have a few extra topics), and only C may possibly give advanced placement in physics for physics majors in college (although some physics departments recommend taking their honors introductory physics courses rather than taking advanced placement).
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There is definitely selection bias in the various Physics AP scores as @ucbalumnus notes. If you looked at the test results you’d assume that Physics I and Physics 2 were more difficult than the two Physics C classes owed to the far lower % of 5s and 4s.
However, Physics 1 and 2 are algebra based whereas the two Physics C courses are calculus based (and cover more material) and are definitely more challenging overall.
Not dissimilar to Calc AB and BC. AB has fewer 5s, but BC is clearly the more advanced topic.
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Yes, I should have included the self-selecting bias when mentioning the score breakdowns.
OP, please also keep in mind that many of the top schools will not give you AP credit for passing these exams. They want you to take their physics classes. And some others require a score of 5 for credit.
And while there is no harm in taking these tests, remember a strong AP score is not a substitute for great grades and strong course rigor(when you high school allows it). Good luck on your journey.
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Agree with all of this.
Plus: as an incoming freshman, OP, you should focus on becoming an efficient student with good study habits. Get the highest grades you can , while taking care of yourself with proper sleep and exercise, and exploring an extracurricular or two to see what excites you outside of school.
I only know kids who were allowed to take at most one and it was Human Geography.
It won’t be held against you if your school doesn’t let you take APs.
I see no reason to self study.
You’re a rising Freshman - waaaay too early to try and impress.
Take a rigorous load, do well, get involved at school, in the community, etc.
That will impress people.
And be a kid.
Good luck.
Good scores on AP tests are, at most, icing on the cake. The cake, though, is the actual class. If you’re not taking the class, it’s OK to take the test, but it doesn’t hold the same substance, imo. A better strategy is to take the hardest classes available to you and not worry about the ones that aren’t available to you. No one will hold it against you. If you want to take an AP test, fine, but it really shouldn’t be your top priority and it likely won’t be what gets you into a good college. Focus on your classes and grades.
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