Thread: AP Physics B

Originally posted by blackrat364
I registered on the collegeboard site as a teacher, and I found some sample questions...but I haven't been able to find any of the released exams. Are they there?

Eh, I've forgotten my password there and don't want to re-register...search around a bit. The free-response questions are something like 50% of the test anyhow.

//edit: Search google for previous exam questions.

All of the multiple choice are God-awful annoying, we have tons of books with released previous exams in them in my class, and I hate them all. They're basically all designed so that you slip up somewhere stupid and fail.


EX:

Code:

void Trick(int &a, int &b)
{
     a=5*b;
     b=a+15;

     cout<<a<<"  "<<b<<endl;
}

"What is outputted to the screen with the call:

int t=3;
Trick(t, t);"

The "trick" being a and b now share the same memory, and anything done to one effects the other.


Also, they're reeeeaaaallll big on loops that look like they'd take years to trace, but really you notice they reset the counter every X amount of times so you only have to trace it a little bit of the way.

15 30 I think... I hope so otherwise I'm screwed Wednesday.

For your B Physics exam, here's what I was tested on: optics, Newtonian mechanics, conservation of energy, I don't recall if there was any E&M (but at least conceptually it's based off mechanics learned earlier). And don't fret so much since, firstly, it can only buy you a quarter of college physics that they probably have a placement test for at your college of choice, and secondly it isn't that difficult. Later on the have calc-based physics, which is very annoying (I wish they would have the differential forms instead of the integral forms so it would match up with my D.E. class, but anyhow!). Also note that some APs won't give you any specific course credit, just elective credit. So far as AP Comp Sci, if you have your syntax straight and you are keen on flow control and passing data, you should be fine. Study nonetheless, as I too took these two tests without their classes (we didn't even have 'honors' physics, haha 'back in my day', makes me feel old). For your calc test, I don't think you need to show work if it's multiple choice but remember if you slip up it hurts you, so take that in mind. Generally if you have a good grasp of the material I say go ahead and answer every question, and if you got some wrong you'll get your 3, else get your 5.

Oh, and remember that to pass you only need to get half of the questions right. Colleges have their own placement tests usually, and even if they aren't publicized check the student affairs offices for your departments. And, when you do get to college, don't rely on the curves and you will do better in the long run. Don't ever rely on any curves, they make you lazy ultimately and you lose understanding of the material. Approach your college classes as if they were a set of two APs in high school and you'll find the exams up here much easier. Well enough of old me, haha, good luck and if you have any follow up questions ask!

Sincerely!
doubleanti, who's blowing up in engineering...

PS, just to give you guys an idea. The mean scores up here are usually in the 40 to 45 percentile for physics and engineering. Maths and humanities are usually not curved. In this past midterm in the ECE20 class (LC-2 ISAs / asm / C), the mean score was a 38 I believe, and many of them got in the 20's, 30's, and 40's. Lowest most pushed back bell-shape I've ever seen!

Originally posted by CheesyMoo
15 30 I think... I hope so otherwise I'm screwed Wednesday.

You're screwed . Actually, just read up on references.

Do you know your AP classes? If not, give up all hope.

Oh, I'm retarded, I didn't read the whole program, I thought it displayed them after each assignment. Whoops, I'll be more careful.

Yeah I don't know the subset that well, crap.