Is AP really worth it?

energize
Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:30:51 +0000

I self-studied AP Physics B at the same time as I took Algebra 2 in the 2009-2010 school year, and I earned a 5. You don’t really need super advanced math skills for this AP exam. All that is required is:


you need to be comfortable with algebraic manipulation at the Algebra 1 level; you don’t need to solve polynomials, use summation notation, find arithmetic sequences, or any of that stuff. At most, you might need to solve a quadratic with particularly messy numbers.
you need to know the definitions of the main trigonometric functions (sine, cosine, tangent - SOH CAH TOA)
there is some usage of vectors, but the usage in this exam is not very difficult to understand if you can draw some arrows and use the definitions of trig functions


Mostly, all the math you do is solving for some variable in an equation and plugging the rest of the numbers in.

What you really need from math is problem-solving ability. This is essential if you want to do well on the free response section. If you aren’t good with word problems, you will be by the end of this course, or else you won’t do well. Study the examples in your books carefully and get a problem book if you need to.