Tips for preparing for the AP physics C mechanics exam

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around preparation strategies for the AP Physics C Mechanics exam, including study materials, time management, and concerns about foundational knowledge for future college courses in physics and engineering.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about recommended prep books and daily study time, indicating a need for structured guidance.
  • Another participant shares their approach of practicing with previous exam questions, suggesting that this method may be effective for exam preparation.
  • Several participants express a goal of scoring a 5 on the exam, with one mentioning specific difficulties with springs due to missed instruction.
  • Concerns are raised about the adequacy of AP exam preparation for college-level physics, particularly for those majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
  • One participant argues that a good score on the AP exam may allow students to skip introductory physics courses, potentially leading to a solid foundation for subsequent courses in electromagnetism.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of concerns about their preparedness and the implications of their AP exam scores for future college courses. There is no clear consensus on the best preparation strategies or the adequacy of AP preparation for college-level physics.

Contextual Notes

Participants' concerns about foundational knowledge and the impact of skipping courses highlight the uncertainty surrounding the transition from high school to college-level physics and calculus.

Who May Find This Useful

Students preparing for the AP Physics C Mechanics exam, particularly those considering engineering majors or concerned about their readiness for college-level physics courses.

pakmingki
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i have about 6 weeks to study, so, what should do?
what prep books would you guys recommend?
how much time should i spend prepping everyday?
 
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I'm taking the same test in a few weeks. My class is preparing just by doing practice problems (exam questions from previous tests).

Just out of curiosity, what are you hoping to score?
 
im hoping to score a 5. I've been improving a lot, and i think with a lot of practice, i can succeed.
 
I'll be hoping for a 5, as long as I don't screw up on springs. Hah-- screw...spring... :P Sorry bad joke.

But yeah, springs ALWAYS give me problems for some reason. Probably because I had the flu the week we went over them, and never really bothered to learn them properly.

I really don't know whether or not I want to take it (or at least use my test for credits at college), because I'll be majoring in Mech. Eng. Physics is pretty much the basis for my major, and I don't want to have a weak foundation. I'm afraid that my first college Physics course might be more than just what I needed for the AP test, and then I'll start off behind.

Does anyone have input on this?
 
yea, i am a bit worried about that, and not just about physics. I am taking the ap calc ab exam, and a 5 on that (for my college) allows me to skip ahead to the 3rd quarter of calculus, and I am pretty sure if i do that, ill start off way behind, cause skipping the 2nd quarter of college calc would mean skipping all the stuff on series and maclaurin/taylor stuff.

But honeslty, i really don't think you will be behind in physics. In the college sequence for engineernig majors, the first physics course is the mechanics component, and if you get a good enough score on the AP exam, you will most likely just start off on the 2nd component, which is E and M. If you can do well on the AP test, i think you will have a pretty good foundation for EM.
 

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