<p>Took AP Physics B this past year as a Junior and got a FIVE on the Ap, yet somehow i managed to bomb the subject test with a 690.</p>
<p>What’s the best book out there in your honest opinion?</p>
<p>And what else is there that i should/could be doing to my knowledge of the material?</p>
<p>Btw, I still have my AP Physics B Barron’s review book</p>
<p>I took Physics C - Mech during my junior year and got a 5 on the exam (didn’t take E/M). Took the physics subject test in October and got a 740 on it…with only a tiny E/M knowledge (I know, should’ve prepared beforehand).</p>
<p>Moral of the story is, the majority of the test covers Mechanics, so if you know it really well, you can get at least a 740. You may even want to find Physics C books and review from those (Physics C is similar to Physics B, except it goes a little more in-depth. And some of the questions use calculus).</p>
<p>There’s no calculus on the physics SAT II, so I wouldn’t recommend using a Physics C study guide. You’ll get so side tracked teaching yourself calc you’d waste a ton of time without helping yourself much. </p>
<p>That said, AP Physics B has a MASSIVE curve, so it has more tolerance for careless errors. SAT II’s don’t have much tolerance for error. The curve on physics is better than most (I skipped 5-10 questions and probably got a few wrong because I didn’t have any equations beyond, like, F=ma memorized, and still got a 780.) but it still doesn’t compare to Physics B, where something like 50-60% is a 5. (Is it? That’s what I’ve heard, but I didn’t feel like spending $87 on B when I’m already spending $174 on C next year.) </p>
<p>If you made a few stupid math errors and messy bubbles along with a few actual physics errors, it could have destroyed your score. So study a bit so you don’t forget things and retake more carefully next time?</p>
<p>Meant to clarify, AP Physics C makes a good study guide, just skip the calculus questions. Or try them on your own time.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m still trying to understand the curve for SAT Physics. I barely knew E/M and still managed to pull a 740. I got a 5 on Mechanics and maybe got all the SAT Physics mechanics questions right but if that’s so it must’ve been at least 80% of the test…</p>
<p>AP Physics doesnt cover some of the subjects on the SAT II physics exam like radioactive decay (i had about 4 questions on it when I took it) and some other topics, so you should get a review book specifically for the Physics SAT II if you didnt use one. </p>
<p>heh, I got a 5 on AP physics B, 5 on AP Physics C Mechanics and 5 on Physics C, E&M but I got a 710 on the Physics subject test. Seems like those who do well on the AP dont do as well on the subject test ;)</p>
<p>True…although I failed SAT physics because I didn’t bother to study E/M, so I went in with only a little knowledge. I’ll definitely take a course in college.</p>
<p>Wow I got a 4 on the AP exam but got an 800 on the SAT lol. Just memorize the formualas, take practice tests- the like. Make flashcards if you can for the formulas. But dang I really wanted that 5 on Physics B…
And above Physics B does cover decay to an extent. Or our class did. There are topics like time relativity though which you don’t touch at all though.</p>
<p>if you can, take AP Physics C(mechanics and e+m). Taking the class will make the physics SAT mech and e+m questions seem like a joke. also, get the princeton book.</p>
<p>My high school doesn’t offer anything above AP Physics B, so Physics C is off the table for now. </p>
<p>I’d consider self studying but I’m already taking six APs this year on top of the fact that I have to study for the sat. I was considering asking my old physics teacher for some course work so i can brush up on the curriculum some more.</p>
<p>I specifically remember my problem being a lack of confidence with the material i learned towards the beginning of the year. I kind of went into the test with an arrogant attitude, figuring I’d be fine and that i wouldn’t need this test for anything anyway. oh how dumb i am sometimes.</p>
<p>For the guy above, only 26 percent got a four or above this year, which is pretty much how it is every year.</p>
<p>Anyway, so get the Princeton review book?</p>
<p>I got the princeton and it definitely was a goood prep book. The practice tests in the princeton are also nice- bit harder than the real thing but regardless great practice.</p>