<p>Recently, i'm self-studying for SAT 2 physics. There are a lot of formulas to remember. Do you have to know how to derive each formula or can you just memorize the formulas as if they are vocabulary.</p>
<p>In general, its whatever allows you to get a good grade on the test. Knowing the intricacies of derrivation will help you have a deeper understanding of the subject. Sometimes it can come in handy in times of time scramble and when you forgot the formula.</p>
<p>The physics test is largely conceptual. Very few questions allow you to just plug numbers into formulas. You don’t necessarily need to be able to derive all the formulas, but you should at least understand what they mean and why they work and be able to manipulate them. Rote memorization won’t get you very far if you don’t understand the concepts behind the formulas.</p>