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I'm taking AP Physics and Pre- Cal my junior year at school. (next year)
Should I wait till the end of physics and take the Physics SAT II next summer after junior year instead of taking chem. I am taking Chem (in school) this year and I am doing real well but from what I keep hearing is that the Chem SATII is evil. Should I just wait and take the Physics? I am not good with math but I guess taking one year of physics and studying with PR I can do fine right?

Another thing:
I am only in Algebra II this year so I probably shouldn't take IIC till after Pre-Cal (next yr.) right. Or should I take IC? How much harder is IIC.

Any suggestions on what I should do?

By MIT Mom on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 03:21 pm: Edit

Kevin,
I don't know how you can be taking AP Physics without concurrently taking Calculus. Are you sure you'll be taking AP Physics with PreCalc?

To determine if the Chem SAT II is "evil," get a copy of the Princeton Review Chemistry prep book, and a copy of the College Board's "10 Real SAT IIs." See how much you know, how well you do. The only thing "evil" about the Chem SAT II is that it incorporates a very unusual style of True/False questions. It helps to be familiar with that question format before taking the test. Both Chem and Physics SAT IIs have pretty lenient scoring, and I know that Chemistry doesn't permit the use of a calculator (although the questions can be easily answered without a calculator.) I don't know that much about that Physics SAT II.

My daughter (who took the SAT IIC) INSISTS that the IIC is not harder that the IC, it just covers different material, much of which is taught in PreCalc. Do not take the IIC until you are done with PreCalc. Again, I am a strong advocate of the Princeton Review SAT II prep books.

By Kevin on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 06:02 pm: Edit

Thanks,
By the way I am in the IB program and I know of people that have taken physics and chem while taking pre-calc. I don't know if this changes anything. I think I am taking Pre-IB chem and will take normal physics next yr. I'm really not sure if it it is AP. Does this make a difference?

By MIT Mom on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 06:10 pm: Edit

You can take regular or honors physics and PreCalc at the same time, but AP Physics requires some basic knowledge about how to take a derivative, which is taught in Calculus. My guess is you will take "normal" physics with PreCalc, and you then could take AP Physics and Calculus at the same time your senior year.

Good luck with your SAT IIs.

By Kevin on Wednesday, December 18, 2002 - 09:33 pm: Edit

Thanks