AP Physics C: Mech

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>So I’m wondering if I should take the AP Physics C: Mech test or not. I’m currently taking Mech at community college, and the course should be over right around the date of the AP Tests. I’m wondering if it’s a difficult test, and what prep book would be best for it.</p>

2

<p>Does the college or university you intend to go to accept the community college course for subject credit in introductory physics mechanics? If so, it would appear that the AP test will be redundant.</p>

3

<p>I believe only public institutions will accept the credit. However, I want to take the AP test in case some privates won’t. Also, I’d like to receive the AP Scholar with Distinction Award before my senior year so I can put it on my college apps :P</p>

4

<p>FYI for me, the most difficult topic in phys c mech was resistive force and finding the solution to a second order diff equation. therefore i dont think this exam is bad if you have a soild calculus background. i think you should take the exam b/c by the end of ur community college course you’ll know the content well.</p>

<p>as for the prep books there is none that i can recommend you, although i can list what i am using to prepare for that exam. im using a combination of cliffs, PR, barron’s (just skimming this, not reading from cover to cover) and mcgrawl although the last one + PR sucks… they cover content in a slipshod manner, IMO. barron’s, like many of its sister books, is totally overkill.</p>

5

<p>Hmmm, I’ve currently bought Barron’s and it seems like quite a handful. Though like you, I think I’ll just be using it to reinforce the topics which I suck at.</p>

6

<p>You should take it. Having taken the course at a community college, providing you’re doing well, should make the AP exam fairly easy. Use a review book to go over some of the topics and take a practice test. As for which book to use:

  • If you want very detailed review : Barron’s or PR
  • If you want a quick overview: 5 Steps to a five </p>

<p>My physics teacher gave us the AP Advantage: Physics C books, about which I was skeptical at first. However, it is actually pretty concise and useful. I suggest, as I always do, to go to borders (if it’s still open :frowning: ) or another bookstore and find which one you like best.</p>