<p>Next year I am planning to take my school's AP Physics C course, and for college, I am planning on majoring in a STEM field, possibly Chemical or Nuclear Engineering. Do you think I will be able to self study for the AP Physics B exam as well? Another important question is, based on my interests, is studying B even worth my time? I know that Stanford gives credit for AP Physics C that is just its B credit plus more (i.e. C is equivalent to classes 1, 2, 3, and 4; B is equivalent to classes 1 and 2). By this virtue, B would be a waste for me.</p>
<p>What are your thoughts?</p>
<p>I plan on majoring in Engineering, and even though my school I will be attending next year (rising senior now) accepts AP Physics B credit, it would not give me credit for the more advanced physics that the engineering program starts off with (Physics B is algebra based and Physics C is calculus based, I think). I assume Stanford more less is the same in that regard. </p>
<p>Also there are 2 Ap Physics C tests Mechanics and Electromagnetism. If you plan on taking both of the physics C tests you won’t even be able to take the physics B test as the AP Physics C Mechanics is taken at the same time.</p>
<p>You can take both tests. I took the Physics C tests on time and the B test late. However, I did so under different circumstances. I was in Physics B and my school didn’t offer Physics C. I had to take AP exams for the classes I was in (which I didn’t mind), but I needed Physics C instead, so I self-taught/studied for C. However, in your circumstance, it seems to be a better idea to not worry about the Physics B test at all. After all, Physics B is set up for pre-med majors and so you can go into Physics C, which is mostly for engineering/math/physics majors. If you don’t feel very confident on Physics C, you can always take the Physics B test as a precaution, but you shouldn’t worry about it.</p>
<p>I think Physics C is more of a commitment than Physics B. You’ll learn all there is in Physics B more thoroughly and with calculus. I suppose you could take both like darksaber21 did, but I think that there is no need.</p>
<p>Based on what you have said, I will probably decide on whether to take B or not later in the year, once I know how hard C is for me. If it’s easy, I’ll skip the B test because it seems that C credit (for both tests) will already give me the same placement in most colleges.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help!</p>
<p>Physics B won’t give you any useful credit as an Engineering major. Physics B is algebra-based but any physics class you need in college will be calculus-based. If you get credit, it won’t help you knock out requirements or anything. If you’re in Physics C, just focus on it.</p>
<p>Another thing to consider would be that there are topics that show up on the Physics B exam that don’t show up on the Physics C exams, such as optics, waves, sound, fluids, thermodynamics, etc.</p>
<p>B is more material, fewer applications, and no calculus.
C is less material (but more in depth), more applications, and all calculus and manipulation of variables.</p>
<p>C is a lot harder than B; B is like an honors physics course at a rigorous high school. Calc will make C so much easier, especially BC, so if didn’t take that yet, take it concurrently with C. AB will help, but not nearly as much as BC.</p>
<p>Most top schools will only take C for credit if you’re doing engineering. And they’ll usually want a 5, no less. Luckily a 5 isn’t that hard to achieve despite it being a difficult test, because it’s curved so generously. I believe it’s about a 50% for a 5 and half of the kids who take the C exams do end up with 5s.</p>
<p>Yeah my school offers physics B which I will be taking, but Ima self study C. Just mechanics, I don’t think I have it in me to study for both. I’ve taken BC last year, how exactly does it help more than AB?</p>
<p>BC just has more calculus, so it’ll be more helpful since C is a calculus-based course after all…</p>
<p>True, but the calc applications in Physics C are pretty basic. Just Calc AB material.</p>
<p>I don’t think I’ll live to see the day when a Taylor series is used in physics.</p>
<p>Well maybe in doctorate level. Idk.</p>