Is IB Physics SL self-studyable like AP Physics?

International Students
1

<p>I know many people who never take AP classes and yet get 5s on their AP tests by studying at home alone. </p>

<p>I was wondering if IB Physics SL can be study by oneself. (I am enrolled in the IB diploma program but for complicated reasons, I basically have only myself to rely on preparing for the IB exam).</p>

<p>Also, there are AP preparation books everywhere! but i never see any IB physics books (except for one, the IB textbook).</p>

<p>Do you think this is possible? any strategies on preparing for this or any other opnions would be greatly appreciated</p>

2

<p>Don’t you need to do a certain amount of lab work for IB physics? That by itself should make it impossible to self-study an IB course.</p>

3

<p>Well, to be frank, I have never seen a school offering IB examination to an independent student. (Not at least in my confinement). It may be possible where you live (the chances are quite dim, though)…</p>

4

<p>I think he means that he’ll have to self study the theory part because he’ll take classes with Ontario Curriculum. Practicals must be dealt by his school.</p>

<p>Well, I was in similar situations as your during my A-levels. My teachers were new to the syllabus and new nothing. Since A-levels and IB are pretty close in difficult level, I would say it’s pretty possible.</p>

5

<p>I self-studied physics HL and was easily able to maintain a 6+ grade. Occasionally asked asked my teacher if i completely didnt get something.</p>

<p>but then again physics is “my thing” i guess… wouldnt have been able to do it for like english literature</p>

6

<p>You need 40 lab hours and you need to write reports to each practical although only 6 reports will be assessed per area. I assume you know this though since you’re taking Chemistry HL. </p>

<p>What are you referring to when you say “the IB textbook”? I have used 3 physics books in my SL course, Physics for the IB Diploma - study guide, Tim Kirk, Physics for the IB Diploma - K. A. Tsokos (creative titles?) and Physics
Principles with Applications - Giancoli. The last one is not an IB book. I recommend using the Tsokos book since it shows you exactly what you need to read and know (while Giancoli is good, but it gets confusing with all the extra information). I think that there are actually more books than this, but probably not as many as there are AP books…</p>

<p>I looked online at the AP Physics syllabus though, and it looks quite like the core of IB Physics SL (ie. without the two options you have to choose in IB).</p>

<p>I think it can be possible to take Physics SL in one year depending on you. You need to work with it a lot, do problems, do as many past papers as you can and also be interested in physics. Maybe it will be easier if you make a head start this summer!</p>