Don’t know which AP science to take? Read through our guide to decide between AP Physics, AP Chemistry, and AP Biology!

AP Physics

AP Physics is comparable to a first-semester introductory college course in algebra-based physics. It covers major mechanics topics such as rotation, motion, fluids, force, and more. The course requires you to utilize trigonometry concepts and conduct alot of algebraic manipulation. 

AP Physics is often a daunting course for many rising juniors, mostly because of students’ lack of exposure to concepts within the science. But, it is a very rewarding and useful class for the real world as students are sure to encounter physics concepts in almost all careers. Something to know about AP physics is that it is very math based. Physics requires students to be comfortable with being exposed to a multitude of formulas, and deriving formulas is a key aspect of physics, which is often difficult for students who are used to rigid formulas. This class is a great choice for students interested in pursuing careers in engineering, computer science, astronomy, astrophysics, biophysics, math, and more. Physics is also an important part of medicine.

Irvington’s physics teachers tend to be consistent with giving out homework, so expect to receive homework a few times per week. The weightage and frequency of labs conducted in classes varies from teacher to teacher. Tests and quizzes do require substantial preparation, though, so expect to spend at least a couple hours studying for assessments. Expect to study a little more if you don’t grasp math concepts easily. 

Some very helpful ways to study for assessments within this class are to do practice problems from AP test prep books or on Collegeboard. The teachers also give out practice MCQ and FRQ worksheets often for homework or classwork, which are great resources for both class assessments and for the end of year AP test.

Majority of the MCQ questions you’ll see on the AP Test have numerical answers, which reflects the amount of math you’ll need to use in the course. FRQ questions are usually more conceptual, but do also require calculations most of the time.

AP Chemistry

At Irvington, AP Chemistry is considered one of the most challenging AP science courses available, yet many students choose to take the course because it can also be one of the most rewarding for students with strong interests in STEM fields. For students interested in going into the medical field, research laboratory-based careers, or other chemistry-related fields, AP Chemistry offers excellent opportunities to better understand complex scientific principles and gain hands-on experience through lab work.

The course builds upon concepts learned in Chemistry of the Earth Systems, adding more advanced topics such as thermodynamics, gas laws, and atomic structure while incorporating mathematical problem-solving. While students may find the conceptual material manageable with solid memorization skills, the math-heavy aspects of chemistry often prove to be the most demanding. 

One of the unique features of AP Chemistry at Irvington is the flexible workload, which varies based on the teacher, but with this comes a necessity for strong time-management skills to stay on top of the lesson material. Students planning to take the course should be prepared to dedicate a significant amount of time to review topics thoroughly and complete optional assignments to reinforce their understanding. Besides reviewing extra material, the class requires dedicating a lot of time to self-studying to stay on top of the course work, especially if you want to receive high grades for the high difficulty tests and quizzes. Chemistry concepts are also challenging and require persistence and dedication to grasp and understand, but asking the teachers questions personally is highly recommended to better understand the subjects. 

Overall, AP Chemistry is an excellent choice for students willing to take on a challenging yet fulfilling course that strengthens their readiness for college-level science and engineering fields.

AP Biology

AP Biology is a challenging, but rewarding course that prompts students to memorize concepts and apply it to real-world problems. Before taking this course it would be beneficial to take supplementary courses like Living Earth or Chemistry of the Earth Systems to better understand some of the concepts. AP Biology dives deep into topics like biotechnology, genetics, ecology, and cell division, and offers a thorough understanding of how living systems work. If you’re thinking about careers in biology, chemistry, earth sciences, nursing, bioengineering, or pharmacy, AP Biology is a recommended course to take.

This course isn’t just about memorizing facts. It’s about truly understanding the principles of biology and learning how to apply them in different contexts. For instance, rather than simply recalling the steps of cellular respiration, you might be asked to predict how a change in environmental conditions could affect ATP production. Another thing to keep in mind is that Biology, although not a math heavy course, still requires basic application-based algebra skills. 

Both multiple-choice questions and free-response questions are often scenario-based, requiring you to analyze data and come to a conclusion based on the context and your personal knowledge. Being able to apply the knowledge taught to real-world problems are essential not only for excelling in AP Biology but also for succeeding in college-level STEM courses. Additionally, AP Biology is a lab-heavy course so expect there to be a lab for every unit, which may also be included in the AP exam. 

AP Biology is also very hands-on, with a strong focus on labs and experiments. These labs help bring the concepts to life and give you a chance to practice what you’ve learned in class.