I'll be taking two AP courses for my junior year, one being AP World History and the other being AP Physics. I have an A in Advanced Algebra/Algebra II and it's basically not recommended to take AP Physics at all if you're not getting an A in your math class. I'm really worried about AP Physics though, since I'm constantly told about how difficult the class is. Has anyone taken AP Physics? How hard was the class? What about the exam? Do you need to know a lot of Calculus for the class?

You really don't need to know how to do Calculus on the test. You just need to understand one or two concepts enough to just type it on your calculator. You probably need calculus to derive some formulas, but that's about it. Practically, for the equations that require integrals, you can probably do the problem a different way. Derivatives you have to know how to do for finding speeds, velocities, acceleration, etc.

As far as math is concerned in an AP Physics course you will probably just need to know a few concepts of calculus and a good understanding of Trigonometry and the use of Vectors. I never took Physics in high school but I have taken it in college. Since you mentioned it is an AP course, I assumed it was similar to my college course, before I gave you my advice.


Talking to an instructor is a always a good idea too.

Are you good at math? Are you good at picking up and applying mathematical concepts that you may not have thoroughly or formally studied? If the answer to either question is "no," don't bother taking the class.

One of my friends who's been taking the AP exams as of late had said you're not allowed to use a calculator. Is this true?

It could be true, but for some vector problems that I did in physics it would be pointless to not have a calculator. So I guess it depends on the problems on the exam.

It depends on if you are taking physics AB or Physics C.

Physics AB is more or less a higher level of regular high school physics, going a little more in-depth in Thermodynamics and Waves.


In Physics C, the C stands for "Can't Pass". Haha, no, it actually stands for "Calculus". I took this exam in high school and it was quite the pain.

The advantage in C is that you can take the AP Mechanical exam, as well as the AP Electricity and Magnetism[/b] exam.

C will prepare you for the physics you will take in college much better than the AB course.

I take that back. I came out of the test in tears.