Skipping regular physics and going right to AP

Is it required or at least recommended for a smart student to take regular Physics before AP. I notice that on my school’s website it doesn’t say that regular Physics is a pre-requisite to AP C. I’m just asking whether I’d be screwed if I went right into AP? Currently I am attempted to test out of regular, but I don’t know if I will have enough time to finish it.

If you have a strong math background, I think you’ll be fine. I skipped all the bio courses and went straight into AP Bio. I got an A in the class, and think I did well on the test. I had no experience with the subject whatsoever, except the basic stuff that was taught in middle school. I have heard that physics c is very hard at other schools, but that’s not true for mine. Most people do extremely well because we have a very good teacher. If you are serious about taking the class, then you will have to work harder than others.

On a side note, you could do as I did with AP chem. This past year I was in a AP chem pre req and did extremely well. Instead of going on to take the AP class next year, I decided to just take the test. You should also consider taking normal physics, while self studying AP Physics.

@ChiefMonger Do you think it’d be a good idea to email the teacher and ask the average grade in the class?

@Dylan197 Yeah, I would get in contact with the teacher. Ask if he would be willing to help you out. Maybe some preliminary topics to study this summer. If you show him that youre willing to work, Im sure he’d love to help you out.

Yes.

While not impossible, the reality is that you will be spending a lot of time catching up that it could impact your other courses. Physics C is not for the faint of heart, and if your classmates have all had an intro physics prior, you will be behind the 8-ball before the first test.

@skieurope Nevertheless, I do have the textbook in my possession right now, so even if I don’t have enough time to finish studying before test-out, I could continue studying after the Exam date and I’d be more prepared. I just wouldn’t receive credit for the class.

If you have the background, regardless of class credit, that’s one thing. If you’re still trying to learn the intro physics material once September rolls around, that’s something else. Again, it can be done, but don’t expect many allowances from the teacher to help you along.

Coming from a person who has just completed AP Physics C, it’s a difficult course to go through simply for the scope of its material. I took honors physics before going into the AP class, and the latter was very fast-paced because of the assumed prior knowledge from the former; had I not taken the honors class beforehand, it would have been next to impossible for anyone in our class to understand the material well enough for the AP exam.

Also, it’s worth noting that the exam’s level of difficulty is actually relatively medium and straightforward; it’s the time that usually works against you on the test, so you really need to understand the material in order to do the test quickly. If you test out of regular but still don’t feel you have a strong grasp of the material, it’s probably best you take the regular class in-seat first before taking the AP class.

Academic or Honors Physics is required before entering AP Physics C, as both Mechanics and E&M are covered, one each semester, and AP Physics isn’t even double blocked (In my school). Honors covers more topics at a greater depth, so people who took honors have an easier time adjusting compared to the “academic” kids.
Not taking any class (and just self studying the material) screams bad idea for Physics C, unless you’re some type of physics whiz.
Are you taking AP Calc next year? At least AB is needed, and even then you’ll most likely be playing catch up.