5 Steps to a 5: AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based 2024 - Jacobs Greg 2023

STEP 1 Set Up Your Study Program
3 Building Your Personal Attack Plan

IN THIS CHAPTER

Summary: In order to do well on the exam, you need a plan. This chapter will help you prioritize what to study and how to fit that studying into your schedule.

Key Ideas

Memorizing your way to a good score on the AP Physics 2 exam is impossible because that is not what the exam tests.

Cramming your way to a good score is not practical and counter-productive. Unlocking the mysteries of the universe takes time, so make the most of your AP Physics 2 course at school.

Become familiar with the exam, what types of questions will be asked, and what strategies work well.

Take a practice exam to help you prioritize your study plan based on your personal needs.

Memorization and Cramming Won’t Help

The AP exam is not about facts and equations. Sure you need to memorize important information and you will use equations, but that is only the beginning. The exam concentrates on what you can do with what you know. The exam attempts to see if you can connect the factual pieces together, with a solid conceptual framework to demonstrate a deep understanding of how the world works. This means you can’t just read the book and/or cram the week before the exam and expect to do well.

Deep understanding of physics comes only with time. Your AP Physics 2 class is your most useful tool in preparing for the exam. You need to invest time during the school year in your course. Ask questions and study. Don’t just look for “the right answer.” Search for the reasons why the world behaves the way it does. Get to know your physics over time.

Of course, you may not be satisfied with the quantity or quality of your in-class instruction. And even if your class is the best in the country, you will still need a reminder of what you covered way back at the beginning of the year. That’s where this book, and extracurricular AP exam preparation, are useful.

Building a Plan That Is Right for You

Everyone is different and will have different needs when preparing for the AP exam. However, there are six steps that every student needs to take to build a plan that works best for them.

1. Learn how the test is structured (Chapter 2).

2. Make sure you know what content will be tested (Chapter 4).

3. Become familiar with how the questions will be asked (Chapter 5).

4. Learn strategies that work for the different types of questions (Chapters 6—8).

5. Practice the material you are weak in (Chapters 9—15).

6. Take a complete practice exam (Step 5, The AP Physics 2 Practice Exams).

There will be topics in physics that you will understand right away. The topic speaks your language because you already think about the world in that way and it just clicks. And then there are those topics that are—well—let’s just say alien. The beauty of AP Physics 2 is that there are many different types of topics. So if you get stuck on one, there will be others that will be simple for you. You may love fluids but hate magnetism. Circuits is a snap but thermodynamics is a struggle. Optics is fun but the nano world is weird. The point is that you will be great at some things and not so great at others.

Use Step 2 (Chapters 4—5) to find your strengths and weaknesses. You shouldn’t spend lots of time studying things you are already good at. Your plan should focus on the areas you are weak in because that is where you will make the greatest improvements to your score. If you find that you are having difficulty with magnetism, dedicate a few days to work on it by using the sample problems in this book, reviewing the material from your class, and asking questions of your teacher. Sometimes it just takes a little more time and effort to see how it all fits together. Keep at it. You WILL get it. The cool thing is that when you work on the areas you are struggling in, it helps you understand how the rest of physics fits together as well.

So, your plan will be unique to fit your needs and the time you have remaining before the exam. Some of you acquired this book in September, while others waited until spring break. No matter when you start, the AP exam will be here before you know it—early in May. No matter how much time you have left before the exam, build a plan and stick with it. Remember, success does not come to those who cram.

Choose a plan below that matches how much time you have left. Use it as a guide to build your own personal attack plan.

Plan A: I’m Starting in September

Good job! You are starting early. Here is what to do:

Fall Semester

• Read Chapter 1 on how to approach the AP Physics 2 course.

• Make sure you know how the test is structured (Chapter 2).

• Learn strategies that work for the different types of questions and practice them on questions you work on class (Chapters 6—8).

• As you cover the AP Physics 2 content in class, review the same material in this book (Chapters 9—15). This will help give you a different viewpoint on the same material. Hearing the material in different ways and spending additional time on the content will give you a more robust understanding.

Second Semester

• Keep up the good work of reviewing chapters as you cover them in class. If you see that your class is running out of time to finish the course on schedule, read ahead in this book so that you are already primed to understand material that your teacher may be hurrying through (Chapters 9—15).

• In February, use the self-tests in Chapters 4 and 5 to review your content knowledge and how well you handle the different question types. Identify where your weaknesses are and concentrate your study time on the material and types of test questions you are weakest in. Review the question strategies from Chapters 6—8.

April

• Take all three practice exams (Step 5). This is a dry run for the actual exam, so time yourself and pretend it’s the real thing. This will help you gauge what the real exam will be like in pacing and difficulty. Grade your exam and concentrate your final time on the areas and the types of questions that you did poorest on.

May

• Have confidence that you are ready for the exam. Don’t cram! Go to bed and get a good night’s sleep. Eat protein and whole grains before the exam. Give your brain a head start without any high-sugar foods that will cause an energy crash in the middle of the exam.

• Walk into the exam with hope and purpose.

Plan B: I’m Starting in January

If you are like most students, you got this book in the second semester. That’s OK. There is plenty of time for you to work on any skills you may be lacking. Here is a plan for you:

January

• Read Chapter 1 on how to approach the AP Physics 2 course.

• Make sure you know how the test is structured (Chapter 2).

• Learn strategies that work for the different types of questions and practice them on questions you work on class (Chapters 6—8).

• Find the material you have already covered in your AP Physics 2 course and review that material ASAP (Chapters 9—15). As you cover new material in your class, review the same content in this book. This will give you a different viewpoint on the same material. Hearing the material in different ways and spending additional time on the content will give you a more robust understanding.

February

• Use the self-tests in Chapters 4 and 5 to review your content knowledge and how well you handle the different question types. Identify where your weaknesses are, and concentrate your study time on the material and types of test questions you are weakest in. Review the question strategies from Chapters 6—8.

March

• Continue working on your areas of weakness. If you see that your class is running out of time to finish the course on schedule, read ahead in this book so that you are already primed to understand material that your teacher may be hurrying through.

April

May

• Walk into the exam with hope and purpose.

Plan C: It’s Spring Break and I Just Got Started!

Remember the mantra from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy: “Don’t Panic.” There is still time to prepare. You should have already covered most of the material and acquired many of the skills for success in your AP Physics 2 class. Now all you have to do is put the finishing touches on the skills you already have. Don’t use your remaining time to cram. Use this book to discover where your gaps are and spend your remaining time filling in those gaps.

March

• Read Chapter 1 on how to approach the AP Physics 2 course.

• Make sure you know how the test is structured (Chapter 2).

• Learn strategies that work for the different types of questions and practice them on questions you work on class (Chapters 6—8).

• Find the material you have already covered in your AP Physics 2 course and review that material ASAP (Chapters 9—15). As you cover any new material in your class, review the same content in this book. This will give you a different viewpoint on the same material. Hearing the material in different ways and spending additional time on the content will give you a more robust understanding.

• Use the self-tests in Chapters 4 and 5 to review your content knowledge and how well you handle the different question types. Identify where your weaknesses are and concentrate your study time on the material and types of test questions you are weakest in.

April

May

• Walk into the exam with hope and purpose.

5 Steps to a 5: AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based 2024 - Jacobs Greg 2023

STEP 1 Set Up Your Study Program3 Building Your Personal Attack Plan

STEP 1 Set Up Your Study Program
3 Building Your Personal Attack Plan