<p>"We have significantly improved our preliminary exam by lowering the overall difficulty level. Many more students can be encouraged to take it. Most questions may be answered by students who are enrolled in or have taken AP Physics C – Mechanics or AP Physics B."</p>
<p>wait so mechanics only???? what? what about the basics of electricity and magnetism...and everything that's not mechanics (the fun stuff)</p>
<p>oh and does that mean there's not as much calculus? cuz that would just make my day..</p>
<p>after the F=ma test then u take a short answer rite? and after that's it's the semifinals. interesting.</p>
<p>and why do they call it the F=ma test..lamest name EVER! (altho i gotta say better than...Chemistry Local Exam.)</p>
<p>I was wondering about that too. Our school ordered the practice exam, so we will see.</p>
<p>btw are you taking the bio test also?</p>
<p>No...the mechanics test is all MC, and the top 400 are designated as quarterfinalists. The top 150 are chosen from those who do the best on an all-FR test that covers the E & M, and the semifinal exam is the same as always.</p>
<p>so i have the halliday book.
and past practice tests don't seem to go in depth as , say , the hard problems in the halliday book
do u think so?</p>
<p>the normal problems (with a P next to them) are about the same level as the F = ma problems. I could have been a semifinalist last year, except I didn't go over the last 40% of the curriculum in as much depth as I should have (our school only offers Mechanics so we hadnt even started rotation at the same time).</p>
<p>haha the ONLY advantage ihave is that my dad has a Phd in physics =) and can teach me..slightly. (altho he's now working in finance) and he's amazing at chem and math, lol. if i got him to take any of those tests i would make the I_O team no prob =P
lol but he always makes everything so confusing tho haha he's like "yeah i'll teach u the SHORTEST way!" and it's also the most unconventional way</p>