Which AP Tests?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I am an incoming Freshman.

I had taken the AP Calculus BC Test in 8th grade.

My plan for AP Tests in the future is:

9th:
Physics 1
Human Geography (Self Study)

10th:
Physics 2
Stats (Self Study)
World History

11th:
Physics C: Mechanics (Self Study)
US History
Chemistry
Language?

12th:
Physics C: E&M (Self Study)
Biology
Government
Micro/Macro?
Lit?

I also may be taking math classes at a community college. Currently my plans for 9th grade are:

Multivariable Calculus
Linear Algebra
Differential Equation
(They go by a trimester system).

However, I am at a loss for what I should do after that.

Thanks for reading (and possibly commenting)!

2

Community college math beyond calculus BC would be multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, discrete math, and introductory statistics. Rarely, a community college may offer introductory calculus-based statistics (versus non-calculus-based introductory statistics that is like high school AP statistics).

If you want to take more advanced math than that (mainly out of interest or if you want to be a math major), you would need to do so at a four year college or university, preferably one with a strong math department whose proof-based courses like real analysis and abstract algebra are considered rigorous.

It is probably better to take the calculus-based physics sequence at the community college than to try to accumulate AP physics scores.

3

Whoa, slow down. As an incoming freshman, it’s a little too early to plan out to take 15 AP tests and all of your classes for the rest of high school. Taking a large amount of APs onlu to have a large amount of APs isn’t helpful in the college process, especially when they’re self-studied. My advice is to enjoy and work hard during your 1st year of high school (while also participating in extra curriculars that you enjoy) and leave senior year for senior year.

4

Okay thanks!

I really am interested in the sciences, especially physics. I am planning on majoring in physics and (applied) math, or majoring in (applied math) and minoring in physics. I do a lot of volunteering at my local library (not for college) because ever since I was just a toddler I went there. Throughout my time I read, did homework, studied for tests, and learned, and I really wanted to give back.

I do think that the AP English courses aren’t necessary, and AP World History isn’t very important either, but the sciences, math, and US History are either interesting or important for my VERY TENTATIVE future plans.

I have been participating in the AMC math competitions series, and hope that by 10/11th grade I’ll make into USA(J)MO. I’ve also taken the SAT Math I and II and got 800’s on both. The last time I took a practice SAT I got a 750+800, so for the PSAT stuff coming up I should be fine…?

From what I’ve heard, it’s best to have a community service extracurricular, a passion extracurricular, and a “field of study” extracurricular.

My ‘field of study’ extracurricular is the math competitions, and possibly science bowl in high school. My ‘passion’ extracurricular would be tutoring some kids (and a few adults have asked) in math, although it could also be helping out at the library, because I really enjoy doing that. Lastly, my community service extracurricular would be again, either helping out at the library, or tutoring some kids in math (I feel really sad that many tutoring services cost so much; lower income families can’t afford that).

But, the MOST IMPORTANT thing for me is doing math. I absolutely love math, and even during the summer I am working on some of the math I will be doing next year, just because it is so fun for me.

I hope that I will be able to go to a 4 year college and do some higher level math courses in my junior/senior year because I can’t imagine not having a math class during one of my years (I know I’m weird lol).

5

Even if you choose not to take AP English courses/AP World History, you should still put your best effort into your English and social studies/history courses and still view them as necessary. You’re clearly very strong in math and science but many colleges would like you to still be strong across the board.

6

I am personally a math/science person as well. However, I have found history and english AP classes to be super great. AP US History has been extremely beneficial for my understanding of the shaping of my country and has honestly given me a lot of perspective on recent events. I might also add I got a 5 with minimal studying, much of the material is easy to understand and digest in the course-- same goes with AP world as well. AP English lang is by far the easiest AP test I took. I took a practice on in my second week of school and scored about a 4. I would have been shocked if I didn’t get a 5 on the actual exam (it requires literally no studying). You should however just be focusing on the upcoming year. Planning the future makes no sense as it is unpredictable and will change as you mature and grow. Good luck in high school!

7

It doesn’t hurt to plan. You just need to make sure you’re flexible and open to changing the plan as you move through high school. Definitely look into a four year university you can take classes at, and I would recommend taking calculus based physics there too, not self studying AP Physics C. English is important because you need to be able to effectively communicate with words in any carreer you choose.

Did you get a 5 on Calc BC?

8

why would you self study AP Physics C? Lots of lab work there. I’d definitely recommend taking both classes live.

Just as an FYI, you become an AP Scholar if you pass 5 or more AP classes before the end of 11th grade. The person with the highest total 2 years ago had 26 wins (passed 26 AP tests). Not sure how that is even possible, are there even 26 tests? Maybe something you can shoot for.

9

Thank you guys!

Snowfairy137 I did get a 5 on Calc BC, as well as a 5 on the AB subscore.

I was interested self-studying AP Physics C because I did some questions in a practice test, and the MC section was pretty easy without knowing anything but Newton’s Laws and some obvious things. Because I’ve heard that the curve is pretty generous, I could probably do well with just self studying.

However, my main goal is learning and completely understanding the topic, and since so many people are now advising me to take the AP Physics C, I will definitely look into opportunities at my local community college for that.

Once again, Thank you so much!

10

I wouldn’t bother self-studying APHG.

11

self-studying doesn’t really help college admissions; it’s just for getting college credit.

12

Most colleges don’t give credit for both AP Physics 1-2 and AP Physics C - so if you have the calculus, most students around here just do Physics C. Also, as a former physics major, be sure and take a bunch of programming classes - important for physics, and if you like math you’d probably enjoy the more theoretical CS classes, which you can get at cc or edX.

13

Ask your self why you want to self-study for AP tests.
to get credit?
If so, then you should see if the colleges you are thinking about would give you credit for them.
If you are going to a State School, then you could graduate earlier with those credits…but is that what you want?
For top privates, they may put you in a more advanced class…and that is good in some cases but not others (like your weaker subjects).

As mentioned AP Test scores aren’t really used in admissions.

So I woudl continue on your math journey but forget the self-studying.