AP Physics B
AP Physics B is an advanced placement science course that is separated into five different sections of study: Newtonian Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics, Waves and Optics, and Atomic and Nuclear Physics.
The exam
The exam is configured in two categories, a seventy (70) question multiple choice section and a six to eight (6 to 8) question free response section[1]. In order to test knowledge as well as skills, the multiple choice section is taken without a calculator. The free response section permits the use of a calculator. The test is weightad such that each section is worth fifty percent (50%) of the final score. Overall, the exam is configured to approximetely cover a set percentage of each of the five target categories:[2]
- Newtonian Mechanics (35%)
- Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics (15%)
- Electricity and Magnetism (25%)
- Waves and Optics (15%)
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics (10%)
On the exam students are provided with an extensive equation sheet for use during the free-response section of the test. The equation sheet is available straight from the College Board here.
Purpose
According to the College Board web site, "the B course provides a foundation in physics for students in the life sciences, premedicine, and some applied sciences, as well as other fields not directly related to science."[3] Additionally, students who receive a certain score (usually 3 or above) on the AP Exam may have the opportunity to bypass the preliminary physics course at the college they choose to attend, depending on that institution's policy [4][5][6] [7][8]
Grade distribution
In the 2007 administration, 54,890 students took the exam at 4,316 schools. The mean score was a 2.88.
The grade distribution for 2007 was:
| Score | Percent |
|---|---|
| 5 | 16.2% |
| 4 | 16.9% |
| 3 | 07.2% |
| 2 | 18.6% |
| 1 | 21.1% |
References
- ^ AP: Physics B<!- Bottitle -->
- ^ AP: Physics B
- ^ http://collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ap/students/physics/ap-cd-physics-0607.pdf
- ^ http://apps.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/index.jsp
- ^ AP Scores/Credit
- ^ Minnesota Students Post Gains in Advanced Placement Scores and Participation
- ^ Oklahoma Higher Education - Student Center - Jr. High & High School Students - Earn College Credit
- ^ College Credit Policies