I have signed up for both AP Physics C Mech exam and E&M exam. Now I found that I don't have enough time to study for both exams (2 days left), should I give up E&M and focus on Mech? I felt that E&M is not harder than Mech, but need to remember many equations, which I can't...I felt I learned better in E&M before, but I had learned deeper in Mech (I think) since my teacher took longer time to teach Mech portion...And from statistics release by College Board, less ppl took E&M than Mech in the previous year but more ppl got 4 or 5....

So...should I give up E&M and only study for Mech in the last 2 days in order to get a 4 or 5 on Mech, or should I try both since it's possible that I may do better on E&M??

Thanks for your suggestions.....................

I don't know what equations you are memorizing. There are a few principles to well know....coulombs force, concept of e field, concept of energy in a field, faradays ' law, right hand rules, Gauss' law, wave equations. If you are memorizing equations, you don't understand E&M. Go through the chap summeries on any E&M, if you understand it, take the test. If not, dont.

Thanks...

Right,there are so many rules I need to go over on E&M, actually I don't really really understand some of them since my teacher go through these chapter so fast!
If I use the time of going over E&M to study Mech, will I do better on AP exam Mech?

One final thought: Why are you taking the exam? If it is to skip college physics, I don't recommend that at all. College physics is much more than what AP is. The labs alone in college are weighty material. I assume you are thinking of majoring in engineering or science. You want a first class education, not something based on "test achievement".

If you don't know E&M by now, don't take the exam. Cramming for E&M is not likely to help you on mechanics.

I was thinking of majoring in engineering and actually applied for engineering,but now I really want to change my major after a year's AP physics. It's REALLY HARD. Even though I can get low A or high B in my AP class, but it took me too much time to study for only his subject, I mean, I don't think I will be able to do well in most of my science classes in college, and probably fail...:[
That's why I want to get a high AP score in case I change my mind so I can skip the science class requirment.

Actually you don't need to remember more than a few equations for electromagnetism! Why not come online tomorrow around 7 pm Eastern time and post what kind of problems you need to be able to solve for the exam and what you know and what you don't know well.

I understand that you are feeling overwhelmed with studying for both the AP Physics C Mechanics and E&M exams, and you are unsure whether to focus on one or try to study for both. Let me break down the situation and offer some suggestions:

1. Evaluate Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Consider which subject you feel more comfortable with and have a better understanding of. You mentioned that you felt you learned better in E&M initially but learned deeper in Mechanics. Reflect on which subject you have a stronger foundation in.

2. Assess Time Constraints: Take into account the limited time you have left to study. With only 2 days remaining, it may be a challenge to adequately prepare for both exams. Evaluate how much time you realistically have and how much content you need to cover for each subject.

3. Consider the Difficulty and Scoring Statistics: You mentioned that E&M requires memorizing more equations compared to Mechanics. It's important to note that understanding the concepts is crucial, and simply memorizing equations might not be effective. However, if you feel that your understanding of E&M is weaker, it may be challenging to perform well on that exam.

Additionally, you mentioned that fewer people took the E&M exam, but a higher percentage of them received a 4 or 5. This statistical information can be considered, but it's essential to focus on personal strengths and weaknesses rather than simply relying on past trends.

Based on the information provided, here are two potential suggestions:

1. Focus on Mechanics: If you feel that you have a better understanding of Mechanics and that your foundation is stronger in this subject, it may be beneficial to allocate your time and energy towards studying for the Mechanics exam. By fully immersing yourself in Mechanics, you have a better chance of achieving a high score in that specific exam.

2. Allocate Some Time to Both: If you believe that you have a reasonable understanding of both subjects and can allocate some time to study for each, it may be worth dividing your remaining study time between both subjects. However, keep in mind the limited time available, and ensure that you prioritize the areas where you feel the weakest.

Remember, choosing to prioritize one subject does not necessarily mean you won't do well on the other exam. It's essential to focus on your strengths while also addressing any areas you feel need improvement.

Ultimately, it is crucial to remember that the purpose of these exams is not just to obtain a high score but also to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter. Regardless of your decision, try to approach the exams with a growth mindset and focus on learning rather than just achieving a specific score.

If you need further guidance or have specific questions about the content of either exam, consider seeking help from your teacher, classmates, or online resources.