Customer Reviews

Barron's AP Physics C

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I got this book for some practice tests before the AP exam. HUGE mistake.

First of all, the questions were nothing like what was on my test. The questions went way to in-depth for what I needed on the AP.

Second, for the questions that were somewhat realistic, the explanations for the easy ones stretched on for paragraphs, while the explanations of the difficult problems were generally 2 sentences or less. The practice tests were not helpful.

Finally, there are a noticeable amount of errors. For example, on question 13 of the mechanics section on the first practice test, the explanation says that the magnitude of one value is less than the magnitude of another value because the first value is negative. If you know anything about physics, the magnitude of any value can never be negative.

I took this test last year and got a 5 on both Mechanics and E & M. That being said, I don't believe it had anything to do with my purchase of this book (since I used it for only about an hour of practice). The majority of my practice came from the old free response questions off the college board website.

In my experience, Barron's has been the least helpful test prep book, and I have taken 8 AP exams in Foreign Language, Math, History, Science, and English. I would not recommend Barron's test prep books for any AP test taker.

The book had everything I needed and more to score a 5 on both sections of the test. It has wonderful explanations of all the topics and goes well in-depth so that you're not missing any information or practice by the time the AP test rolls around.

I believe this book is good for people who know very basic ideas of Physics C topics. If you know the topics pretty well, but just need a refresher, don't buy this book. The explanations in this book are more detailed than my textbook (Tipler's Physics for Scientists and Engineers). For example, I just wanted to review Simple Harmonic Motion and the various equations that go with it. I found myself more confused with the book going into many different equations for k-effective.

I'm a senior in high school and I bought this book along with the princeton review one. I use both for extra practice problems and test prep for class tests. Also this is the first year physics c is offered at my school, so if there's something my teacher can't explain, these books can. I didn't notice major errors or typos, but the way the material is described can be a little confusing at times. The practice problems are great prep for the "weird" problems on the ap exam. 4 out of 5 because the material is presented as crisply as Princeton review, but the practice tests are useful for both the class and the ap exam.

Do yourself a favor and don't get this book if all you want is a measly 5 on the AP Exam. Getting 5's are easier than actually really Learning for good.
You will spent countless hours trying to swim through a sea of wonderful information that the AP exam will not even dare touch. I bought the Princeton Review one and the Barrons book and was repelled quite quickly by the Barrons. Buy the PR book. This book is probably great for college physics though and I would recommend it for that. Also great if you are somebody who loves to explore beyond the required material for the sake of learning. Trust me if you know this book, getting a 5 is the last of your concerns.

Item arrived earlier than promised. It was in excellent condition & exactly what I needed. Promises kept. Thanks soooooo much.