The AP Test is administered in May each year. See tests date at the bottom of the page.
Are there really four AP Physics tests?
There are actually four AP Physics tests, and at White Station High School AP Physics students may take all four tests, just not in the same year. Students in the AP Physics AP1/Mech course will be prepared to take both the AP Physics 1 test and the AP Physics C Mechanics test. The third exam, AP Physics C E&M test and the AP Physics 2 test can also be taken during the same year, but they are stand alone classes.
Do AP students have to take the tests?
Because the curriculum for these courses are specifically designed to prepare you for taking these tests, and because space in the course is limited, it is expected that all students in each course will take these tests! If you are not interested in taking the AP tests, you should take a different physics course at White Station.
How much does it cost to take the test?
AP Tests cost $97.00 each. For the physics tests, you'll need to sign up for each individual test. When and where you can pay the test fee will be announced at school.
Of course they're difficult--it wouldn't be an AP test if it wasn't difficult! The test difficulty seems to vary somewhat from year to year, but it's not your final test score that matters: it's how well you did compared to all the other people that took the test that matters! It's a norm-referenced exam, as opposed to a criteria-referenced exam.
Can I take the test if I'm not enrolled in the class?
No
AP1 and AP2 tests: Both test are 3 hours. Both tests have a multiple test section that lasts for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Both tests have a free response section that lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes. Both test require technical writing skills in addition to the physics knowledge. Both are algebra-based tests. We work on specific skills for these class as we learn the content.
Mechanics and E&M tests: Both tests are 1 hours and 30 minutes. Both test have a multiple choice section that last for 45 minutes. Both tests have a free response section that last for 45 minutes. Both test have exactly 3 free response questions. Each question is worth 15 points. The mech test includes about 10% of the content on calculus. the E&M test has about 60% of the content on calculus.
Test Date for 2021 Monday, May3, 12:00 pm Mechanics 2:00 pm E&M Wednesday, May 5, 12:00 pm AP1 thursday May 6, 12:00 pm AP1
Homework/Lab
AP1/Mech will have both algebra-based and calculus-based homework problems. I plan for 3-4 problems per night. If a student is consistent and does not wait till the last night to complete homework, they should be doing 45-60 minutes of homework per night. In addition, there are at least 40 hands-on labs that will require some level of a lab report. In the beginning we learn how to write reports by concentrating on each section of the report per lab. By second semester, students do full lab reports for every lab, many times designing the lab from scratch based on a question or objective. These are cooperative assignments and students work in groups to complete the lab and lab report. Students are expected to be active members of the lab group.
E&M will also have routine homework, but the nature of the course allows us to at least start most homework assignments in class. What is not accomplished in class is expected to be done as homework. There will also be 25-30 hands-on labs in this course. Labs for point charges, resistors in circuits and magnetism can last up to a full week to accomplish. Since this is a second year course, expectations are already in place for good lab reports.
AP2 also has regular homework and labs. Expectations from all three courses also apply here.
I highly encourage my students to work/study together. Many times, students can learn as much from each other as they learn from me. I do not expect students to simply copy homework assignments from each other. This will be obvious when they test and they will be held accountable. Students who do not at least attempt the homework will not be successful on the tests.
I also give my cell phone number to the students on the first day of classes. I do not expect parents or tutors to be able to help my students. Students are instructed on contacting me for help. I highly encourage this and when a problem arises, I encourage parents to contact me as well.
FAQs concerning the AP Physics Courses at White Station High School
How difficult is this class? Is there a lot of homework?
Simply, this is a really hard class for most people. It's difficult because the material can get kind of strange, the math can be kind of funky, and we cover material really, really quickly. Lectures in class attempt to cover as much material as possible, but you can expect to spend a lot of time on your own and with friends doing homework, puzzling over sample problems, and being frustrated. It's all part of the fun!
What are the advantages and disadvantages to taking AP Physics, compared to the regular and Honors Physics classes at White Station?
Advantages to taking AP Physics: you'll be preparing yourself for college by challenging yourself with one of the most difficult courses White Station offers, you'll get to work with other great students (and a great instructor!), you'll learn what calculus is actually used for, you'll enhance your transcript and grade point average.
Disadvantages to taking AP Physics: you'll have less time to enjoy your senior year, you may find the material confusing and difficult, you won't cover as much material as is covered in the regular and Honors physics classes.
If I take the AP Physics class, do I have to take the AP Physics tests?
The curriculum for this course is specifically designed to prepare you for taking the AP Physics C tests, and it is expected that all students in the course will take these tests! If you are not interested in taking the AP tests, you should take a different physics course.
Do I need to know calculus to take the class?
No, but if you haven't taken calculus, you should be concurrently enrolled in one of White Stations AP Calculus courses.
Can I take the AP Physics examination in May even if I'm not enrolled in the class?