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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Do not take the AP Physics without the Alg 2.  AP Physics 1 is one of the lowest passed exams.  You can search this forum for many conversations about Physics.[/quote]
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I’ve taught 10th graders in AP Physics 1 who were talking Algebra 2 concurrently. Smart kids, but they struggled all year, earning Cs and 2s on the exam. It’s not simple plug and chug algebra problems. It’s abstract reasoning across multiple concepts with formula manipulation.

My daughter is currently an 8th grader enrolled in 8th-grade level Physics and algebra 1. She is an extremely smart kid and plans on taking geometry and AP physics 1 next year. I am worried for her since she is also taking all honors and very time-demanding sports all year, but there isn;t another option for her other than AP physics, according to her teacher. How should I prepare her? [/quote]

I would advise against her taking AP P1.  8th grade algebra means she was not accelerated in math which means the concepts didn’t come easily or naturally to her.  Most of the kids in the class will have either be enrolled in or completed Alg II.  She will struggle with the underlying math concepts that need to be foundational for the physics content.

I’m having a hard time envisioning a school that only offers AP P1 and not on grade level or H.Physics.  If that’s true I would have her wait to take it.  If she really wants to take the course have her take it outside of school.  That way if it gets to be too much she can stop with no impact to her GPA.  If she rocks it she can take the exam and get the credit and then move onto AP P2 if offered.

The other thing is if she’s really interested in Physics she going to end up with a gap year.  She can’t take AP P.C until she’s enrolled in Calculus.  Given her current math progression the soonest she can get there is 12th grade.  If she completes AP P1 in 9th then what?  If there is AP P2 offered she could take that in 10th.  In 11th she would not be able to take a physics course.  Of course there is no requirement for AP1/2 in order to take P.C but for a kid that loves the material it will be a disappointment to have access to the content for a year or two and then be told she has to wait for her math to catch up in order to continue.[/quote]

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