<p>My son took the Physics SAT II the same year that he took the AP Physics B exam. This was after he audited a yearlong physics course at a local university using the Giancoli textbook. He did well on both, so it seemed they were compatible with some crossover info. Neither was calculus based but the material covered is broader than the C exams.</p>
<p>He took both C exams the next year after taking Mechanics and E&M at the local community college. Both C exams are calculus based and more specific than the B exam.</p>
<p>If a student takes college prep history in 9th grade and honors history in 10th, can I assume she would have been told of any honors summer homework? Uh oh … lol</p>
<p>Ezilyamused - our HS has the students take bio freshman year, chem (or integrated chem/phys) sophomore year, and then there are lots of choices junior year. </p>
<p>My older son (just graduated) took AP Phys B junior year and AP Phys C senior year. He took the Physics SAT at the end of his junior year (after Phys B), just as sbjdorlo’s S did. I can tell you that the Physics SAT subject test has a very forgiving curve. I’ve been told it’s because there is such a wide variety in what can be taught in Physics, and so lots of kids might encounter things they haven’t studied, but if they know the stuff they studied well, they can still do well. My son ran put of time and several questions blank (I think he said 11 questions blank?). We were going to cancel it, but he had conflicts with every other date it was offered, so we just decided it was what it was and left it alone. He actually ended up with a really high score, even with so many left blank.</p>
<p>Ah, the joys of a math/science magnet. D’15 will take all of biology, chemistry AND physics this year. She’s hoping to add a programming course in fall to jump start robotics participation in winter. She’s going to be one busy girl!</p>
<p>OK, I already posted this on the college class of 2016 thread, but figured I’d try here too. Sorry for those of you who are seeing it twice.</p>
<p>I know this is a long shot, but I’m looking to buy a SquareTrade warranty (drop and spill coverage) for D’s new laptop. Discount coupons seem to come out on Tuesday nights. Would anyone like to share a coupon code with me so I can buy the thing Wednesday morning (before she drops it). PM me please!</p>
<p>The way the schools work in our district, Physics isn’t an option until Junior year–usually it goes Bio, Chem, Physics–if you are working at the highest level. Our high school doesn’t offer AP Physics–just Physics and Advanced Physics, essentially because the teacher doesn’t like AP. Other science options are AP Chem and AP Bio. We have some AP but not an abundance like some of the schools I read about here.</p>
<p>On a different note–S is on fire with his bass since bass camp. He has been practicing up to 3 hours a day (this has never happened). I don’t know what happened at camp this year but it changed his level of seriousness to be sure. He also changed teachers, and is working with one of the professional bassists with our city symphony.</p>
<p>The D just came back from North Carolina, where she completed her 14U softball season at an Eastern Region Final Tournament. 1st try-out for new 16U teams was earlier this afternoon.</p>
<p>She has 2 weeks before field hockey practice begins, so she needs to get into field hockey shape and complete her summer work. Once field hockey double seassion practices begin, its field hockey, lunch, field hockey, dinner, bed.</p>
<p>Wow, Suzy–wishing you all the best as your D starts the new school year, as a Sophomore!
S finishes the drivers ed class this week…next weekend begins the launch of my older S, and we will be gone for a week, then S has time to do his AP World and Honors English summer homework before school starts after Labor Day.</p>
<p>We move D’15 into her dorm a week from tomorrow. Classes don’t start until the following Monday, but as of late next week, she’s out of the house. I can’t believe how fast this summer has flown.</p>
<p>suzy - S got his schedule too. He got the really good, challenging but in a good way, popular chemistry teacher. Yay. He got the not so great Spanish teacher, but that’s OK. I haven’t heard of his English teacher, so I’m choosing to believe she is wonderful, thought provoking, and able to install a life long love of literature, improve his writing skills, and prep him wonderfully for the SAT. I think he’s looking forward to going back to school. All but the alarm clock part. In the meantime, he’s a pretty good driver. I think he’s picked it up more smoothly than his older two brothers did.</p>
<p>Nice PN D’s started back to school for her sport so it feels like she’s back for real…but no, not for two weeks. Her first day is also move-in day for S’12. So since there is only one of me, I’ll see her at an early breakfast then leave with S. Thank goodness S’ school is under an hour away.</p>
<p>She decided to take the one AP that is offered to sophs at our school: AP Euro. She’s more into science than social studies, but she saw her brother’s AP credits allow him to start college with one less class so she wants to start racking up some credits asap. I sure hope that was the right call.</p>
<p>DD just found out that her high school band will be featured on the Chicago morning TV show next week during their band camp. That’s the good news. The bad news…she has to report to band camp at 4:15am on Wednesday morning. The grumbling has already begun.</p>
<p>“I’ve heard AP chem is a lot harder than SAT II chem. Has anybody else heard the same thing? We are quite nervous about AP chem here.”</p>
<p>My son took AP Chemistry and the Chemistry SAT II this past May. The curve on the AP exam is way more forgiving than the Chemistry SAT II, so my son felt it was easier to get a 5 on the AP exam than an 800 on the SAT II. However, the level of chemistry in the AP class is way more advanced than the chemistry tested on the SAT II. </p>
<p>My son took AP Physics B as his first physics course and took the Physics SAT II that same May (2011). He thought that there was quite a bit of overlap between the two tests. He used the free online resource Sparknotes to review the topics tested on the SAT II that were not part of the Physics B curriculum. The curve on the SAT II physics exam is more forgiving than the Chemistry SAT II.</p>
<p>S gets his schedule tomorrow. His sis, a Senior, is taking him to pick it up and she says she will make sure it is right, LOL. We don’t have APs until Jr year, so he’ll only have Honors classes. </p>
<p>He’s been on so many college visits with sis this summer that I joked about all the free t-shirts being their school clothes for the year, LOL.</p>
<p>I wish I knew more about the teachers at the school, but D is my first so I know virtually nothing. D does ask around to try to get the scoop, and I may ask a few moms with older kids.
*
I haven’t heard of his English teacher, so I’m choosing to believe she is wonderful, thought provoking, and able to install a life long love of literature, improve his writing skills, and prep him wonderfully for the SAT. * OK, you have to tell us if this comes to fruition!</p>
<p>Was at the school today to help out with Freshman Orientation. Can’t believe that was us just a year ago! I was chatting with one of the moms who is “plugged in” at the school and she told me my D’s class is known as being very social, with an overabundance of mean girls. Greeeeaaaaat.</p>
<p>Has anyone had a son or daughter who has already taken the Bio SAT II? DD wants to give it a try this fall while her freshman bio info is still fresh in her mind. While it was an honors class and she did very well, it wasn’t AP, and I’m worried that she might be over-reaching. Any advice would be appreciated. :)</p>
<p>I had that thought for D and was told that the bio freshmen take (“pre-AP” in D’s case) is NOT the bio that will prepare a student to take the SAT 2 Bio exam.</p>
I think he’s looking forward to going back to school. All but the alarm clock part. In the meantime, he’s a pretty good driver. I think he’s picked it up more smoothly than his older two brothers did.</p>
D’s started back to school for her sport so it feels like she’s back for real…but no, not for two weeks. Her first day is also move-in day for S’12. So since there is only one of me, I’ll see her at an early breakfast then leave with S. Thank goodness S’ school is under an hour away.</p>