Is the College Board AP Physics exam worth stressing over?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the value and stress associated with the College Board AP Physics exam, particularly from the perspective of students currently preparing for it. Participants share their experiences, concerns about preparation, and the content covered in the exam.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express anxiety about the exam, questioning how well they will be prepared and what the exam covers.
  • Others suggest using review books like "Princeton Review Cracking the AP Exam" or "5 Steps to a 5" as helpful resources for understanding the exam structure and content.
  • There is a discussion about whether to take the Physics B or C exam, with some indicating a preference for the B exam.
  • Participants recommend practicing with old AP test questions and reviewing scoring rubrics to better understand expectations for answers.
  • One participant, a physics undergraduate, advises that the exam may not be a significant concern if students are confident in their strengths, suggesting that it primarily saves money on college courses.
  • Several participants downplay the difficulty of the exam, stating that it is manageable for those interested in physics, emphasizing the importance of preparation with review materials.
  • There is a mention that short answer questions may be more challenging than multiple choice, highlighting the need for effective time management during the exam.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions regarding the difficulty and importance of the AP Physics exam. While some downplay the stress associated with it, others express significant concern about their preparedness and the potential impact of their performance.

Contextual Notes

Participants' experiences and advice vary widely, indicating that preparation strategies may depend on individual strengths and study habits. There is no consensus on the overall value of the exam or the level of stress it should induce.

jacksonpeeble
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Has anyone here taken the College Board AP Physics exam? I'm currently taking AP Physics online and hate it (more because it's online than the difficulty of the content, though, I think). I'd like the college credit, but it can hurt if I do poorly, too, and I'm not sure how well I'll be prepared. What does it really cover?
 
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jacksonpeeble said:
Has anyone here taken the College Board AP Physics exam?

Are you talking about the physics B or C exam?

Either way. If you want to know what it covers get a "princeton review carcking the ap exam" book or "5 steps to a five". They will give you a good overview of all of the sections and are also good for a review before the exam. It is a good learning tool as well. Especially since you are taking the course online, it is good to have a book like this as a guide.
 
DR13 said:
Are you talking about the physics B or C exam?
I'll apparently be prepared to take either, but I would only consider taking the B exam.

DR13 said:
Either way. If you want to know what it covers get a "princeton review carcking the ap exam" book or "5 steps to a five". They will give you a good overview of all of the sections and are also good for a review before the exam. It is a good learning tool as well. Especially since you are taking the course online, it is good to have a book like this as a guide.
Thanks for the advice - I've looked at the 5 steps to a 5 books before, and I think that's a good idea. I appreciate your response!

I'm still sort of curious, however, as to whether or not there are things that I should especially watch out for (based on others' experiences).
 
jacksonpeeble said:
I'm still sort of curious, however, as to whether or not there are things that I should especially watch out for (based on others' experiences).

This can vary from person to person. My advice would be to do old ap test questions and see what you struggle with. Also, be sure to look at the scoring rubrics for the questions. This will give you an idea of what they want you to write (relevant equations, when to put in units, etc).
 
Are you going to college to major in physics? I am currently a physics undergrad and I have other physics major friends who went into college placed out of the first three semesters of calculus but are taking into physics. Other than saving a money for the intro physics class, I wouldn't sweat the AP Exam too much. My only advice is to make sure that you are 100 percent sure of the things that you are strong at.
 
The AP exam is a joke for anyone that is remotely interested in physics. It's nothing to worry over as long as you buy the review book and practice a few questions.
 
Leptos said:
The AP exam is a joke for anyone that is remotely interested in physics. It's nothing to worry over as long as you buy the review book and practice a few questions.

I'll second this. Focus on studying for the short answer questions, i thought those were exponentially harder than the multiple choice. If you know your stuff well, your only enemy will be the time limit. Good luck!
 

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