Course Preparation

  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Biology
  • IBET/Honor Biology
  • Honor Physics
  • Honor/TJ Summer Chemistry


Dr. Lee's  Tutoring Service for USABO, USMDO, and Chemistry

  Test Preparation

  • AP Chemistry
  • AP Biology​​

Olympiad Preparation

  • US Biology Olympiad (USABO)
  • US Medicine and Disease Olympiad (USMDO)

Physics:

TJ junior students must take honor physics (physics 1). The level of TJ Honor Physics is same as other school's AP physics as compared in the table. Same textbook is used to cover mechanics and electromagnetism. This course requires precalculus but if you took calculus, it will be helpful.










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My goal for TJ physics 1 (honor physics) is helping students have a good GPA. In addition, I can help SATII, AP exam and USAPho.

TJ Physics 1 covers most of Newtonian mechanics, students can take AP Physics C-Mechanics with a little help. This has been successfully accomplished by many students. I can coach the preparation of AP physics C-Mechanics. The mechanics section ends in the first semester and so students have enough time to prepare. According to the College Board Summary Report 2017, about 60 % of VA students who took AP Physics C-Mechanics exam got grades of 4 or 5. But as difficult it is, its grade is generous. This is why I would recommend AP Physics C-Mechanics exam to TJ physics 1 students.

TJ physics 1 covers Electromagnetics by the end of May and June and is based on algebra. Therefore, it is not safe to challenge calculus-based AP Physics C-Electromagnetics exam with TJ physics 1 knowledge.

I teach TJ AP physics which requires Calculus BC and help school exams, AP and SATII exams. TJ AP physics curriculum is tougher than other school’s AP physics course. Same is true for AP Calculus BC course. Many brilliant students who took AP Calculus BC and AP Physics C simultaneously had hard time because of their work loads. It is highly recommended to take Calculus BC in 9th/10th, before taking TJ AP physics.

There was AP Physics B exam, but now it is separated to AP physics 1 and 2. As seen in the table, physics 1 and 2 results in 2017 VA had low percentage of students having 4/5.




 

 


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USAPho preparation for challenging students

Regarding Physics contests, TJ Physics 1 course covers necessary contents for F= ma test which is the qualifying test for USA Physics Olympiad (USAPhO). As its name indicates it has 25 multiple choice questions on mechanics only. The mechanics part of the AP Physics C-MEM (Mechanics and Electromagnetics) will be advantageous. The USAPhO test includes all major subjects in the college physics (mechanics, E&M, fluids, thermodynamics, and modern physics like special relativity). AP Physics C-MEM covers good portion of the test.

As the AP Physics test in on May, the F=ma test is on February, and the USAPhO is on April, it is highly recommended to start early. You cannot wait till the end of semester to challenge those tests. By learning from July, and doing problems from various resources, students can get a head start in preparing for this tough course.

 

Related Links:

College Board Summary Report

https://research.collegeboard.org/programs/ap/data/archived

AP Physics Course

https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-physics-1/course?course=ap-physics-1

https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-physics-2/course?course=ap-physics-2