<p>I’m currently a junior taking an honors level physics course at my school and I’m getting frustrated with the slow pace and looking to do something more with my time. I’d like to self-study for the Physics B exam because I plan on majoring in Astronomy in college and I’m definitely taking a Physics C class next year. Is it worth it to self-study and take the Physics B exam for my major? Will that look good on college apps? Or is it just a waste of my time?</p>
<p>Supposedly physics is the most brutal science. If ur gonna do this, be very well prepared for the exam and i would actually recommend taking all physics in college (don’t try to place out of introductory physics) cuz self-studying is different from an AP class.</p>
<p>Thanks! I’m not really trying to place out of anything by taking the exam- more just showing I can do it and have a decent grasp on the concepts and equations. My main question is will this look good on apps and stuff? Or just like I wanted something else to add?</p>
<p>It will look very good. When you send in your AP scores, they will see an AP Physics B score but your transcript will only have Honors Physics. It will certainly help you.</p>
<p>It will probably look good if you earn a 4 or 5. Physics B is a thorough, algebra-based physics course.</p>
<p>If you want to pursue a career that is based on physics, then it is probably a good start to explore the basics. Physics B includes a wide variety of topics from classical mechanics, to fluid and thermodynamics, to electricity and magnetism, to atomic and nuclear physics, to waves and optics. If it is your first exposure to the material, the depth may be overwhelming depending on your math/science background. Please do not be discouraged if it doesn’t work out; remember, teaching yourself a new branch of science isn’t the norm.</p>
<p>Have you taken AP Chem, or any other courses like that? If so, it would probably make self-studying Physics B somewhat easier because of some content overlap and experience with higher-level problem solving.</p>
<p>@biodontchem, Physics isn’t brutal at all. Some people have a knack for it, just as others have a knack for history or English. Physics, just like any science, can have an innate beauty if approached from a positive perspective with a good teacher.</p>