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r/APStudents•
mapsdkhsd

Do I need AP Physics for the SAT subject test?

I would like to take the SAT MATH II and Physics subject test. However, I am currently only taking Physics 1 Honors. Will that be adequate? By the time I take AP Physics (next year) it won't help me with my subject test. Should I just do the chem one instead?

Any of you got experience with this? Thanks in advance!

Posted Mar 7, 2018, 4:40 AM UTC

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127-0-0-1_1in college•

I have no idea what's on your honors physics so I have no idea. I will say that AP Physics 1 does teach you all of the subject test. You need physics 2 for that, since the subject test has thermo, optics, and special relativity.

Just buy a review book and do some self studying. I missed like at least 20 questions and got a 800 still believe in the curve.

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dr_luciaAP Physics•

I will say that AP Physics 1 does teach you all of the subject test. The topics on the AP Physics Subject tests are broader than on the AP Physics 1 test. So an AP Physics 1 high school call will not cover all the material on the SAT test unless your teacher covered topics not on the "1" test.

Topics not in "1" but on SAT:

  1. Capacitors either by themselves of in a circuit.
  2. Magnetism.
  3. Geometric optics.
  4. Calorimetry. (You might get this in chemistry.)
  5. First law of thermo.
  6. Energy in nuclear reactions.
  7. Relativity.

The SAT physics test is broad but super-duper shallow.

You could self teach yourself just enough about these topics to take the test. To study you might want a combination of "Conceptual Physics (the high school program)" by Hewitt and to hunt for his videos online.

However, it is advisable to self teach a bit later on, so you don't suck time from studying for your classes or the AP test. In 2017, the college board offered subject matter tests in August. The next announced date is June 2 2018.
June would give you time to self teach after the AP's are over and you'd have scores to send colleges early in the application process. August gives you LOTS of time to self teach, which is good if it turns out you need a little help.

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-subject-tests/register/test-dates-deadlines

The best practice tests are from the college board. ("The official SAT subject test guide.) Last spring, the best price for these is from Amazon. Barron's book is a good study guide with useful material, but their practice tests aren't so great. (I read some out loud to my husband as we drove to some dance lessons and we just laughed at how stupid some where. )

You don't need to own these. You can probably save money getting practice books at the library. If necessary, get them on inter-library loan.

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