Can I Self-Study and Score a 4 or 5 on the AP Physics B Exam?

[KrnMackMattsta]

Hey guys.
I am not sure where to post this and my knowledge of Physics is very lacking due to very imcompetent teachers at my school, and my lack of motivation to teach myself. That being said, I am going to be a senior in high school and I am planning to take AP Physics B.

Problem is, however, our physics teacher KNOWS about physics, but does not know how to teach it. In other words, we end up learning bout politics, science, and everything else besides physics.

SO...I plan to teach myself AP Physics B this year primarily using the Princeton Review's AP Physics B and C book AND plan to get a 4 or 5 on the AP test. Now, I am not by any means a physics guru. I am going to take AP Calc BC this year also if that means anything, but I am sure that I am "average" when it comes to physics.

NOW, some questions. Will it be feasible for me to achieve 4 or 5 on the AP test with no other preparation tools besides the PR book? IF not, what other methods or tools are there that I can use to achieve this grade and knowledge. Any recommendations for any books? Will I, in fact, NEED a tutor or teacher to achieve this goal?

Thanks for all your help.
Matt

 

[dduardo]

I personally know people who have independently studied ap physics B and gotten a 5. In order to accomplish this you need to have the drive to do it, but it seems as if your not confident enough. Just going through the Princeton Review is not enough. My recommendation, if you do decide to go through this by yourself, is to get a real physics book (University Physics or Physics for Scientists and Engineers) with the student solutions (teacher solutions if possible) and go through the book doing as many examples from each chapter until your confident you know the stuff. The books will probable cost around 150 USD. If you have and questions you can feel free to post it on this forum.

 

[Entropy]

I took AP Physics B last year and got a 4 on the exam and I just did most of my studing in other classes... Bummed me out though because I got a 5 on my AP World Histroy (and I had a D the last nine weeks! My teach brought it up to a B though because of my exam score! ) exam and I hate history (16th century and forward anyways).

I think it was the optics part that got me. For some reason I always for get what real and vitual images are... I hate optics.

Well, maybe except for the lasers...

 

[KrnMackMattsta]

what books helped you the most? what tools do i need to get a good grade on the AP test?

 

[Entropy]

I just looked in my textbook and notes really. Some of my friends used "AP Physics B&C Sucess" though.