Biology

Biology is the place to begin your intensive science training. It’s a more fact-based science, so it’s great for self-study.

Let’s start.

1. Create a College Board account. This will allow you to schedule all future tests. You only need to do this once. When you create the account, you can select your state’s home school as your school. For example, if you live in Maryland, you would put in “Maryland Home School” as your school. All of the other information is just basic contact and address information.

Get a general overview of the content in Biology.

1. Get the Barron’s AP Biology test book. Read over, but do not actually do, the diagnostic test.

2. Watch the Crash Course Videos in Biology on this page. You can watch 3-4 videos a day.

3. Watch all the Khan Academy Videos in Biology here.

Study Biology in more detail.

1. Read the Barron’s Book Chapters, and do the questions at the end of each chapter.

2. Do Biology Synapse.
   If you are a Vohra Method student, use your free access to Biology Synapse by typing "bio synapse" into your Slack channel. If you aren't a Vohra Method student, please email us and we'll set you up with a free Vohra Method account with unlimited access to Biology Synapse. Just mention that you are doing the AP Homeschool Project in your email.
   With Biology Synapse, try to get at least a 100 point score every day for at least 20 consecutive days.

3. Do the practice tests in the Barron’s book, and review the answer explanations carefully.

NOTE: The AP Biology test includes a decent amount of Chemistry knowledge. For this reason, we encourage you to study for the AP Chemistry test before taking both of those exams, together.

Chemistry

In this phase, you will master basic chemistry.

Get a general overview of the content for Chemistry.

1. Get the Barron's AP Chemistry test book. Skim the book.

2. Watch the videos on the Chemistry Crash Course page here. Just relax and watch them as if you are watching a TV show.

3. Watch the Chemistry videos from Khan Academy here.

Study Chemistry in more detail.

1. Go through the Barron’s book sections, and do the questions at the end of each section. Make sure to read the answer explanations thoroughly.

2. Do the practice tests and read the answer explanations carefully.

AP Biology and AP Chemistry Tests

The AP Biology and Chemistry exams are offered in May. You do not need any classroom or lab experience to get a 5 on these exams, no matter what the College Board Website says. DO NOT waste any time on any school textbooks.

These two tests are listed together because you can take them in the same year, if you want. You can also study for them separately and take them in different years.

AP Chemistry is highly conceptual and very challenging. If you're stuck on a topic and the online videos aren't helping, consider a Vohra Method program if your budget allows it. If not, consider connecting with a local college student. Any chemistry major will have done more than enough chemistry to answer the questions on the AP exam.

Take the AP Biology and Chemistry exams.

1. Sign up for the exams by October.
   For this, you will need to email apstudents@info.collegeboard.org. As an AP Homeschool scholar, you’ll take the AP exams at schools close to where you live.

2. Dominate the AP tests.
   If you scored a 5, congratulations.
   If you scored a 4, that is accepted for college credit at most colleges. Just verify that your first choice college accepts a 4 in that subject.
   If you scored a 3 or lower, then you should do a second round of studying and plan to take the test again next May.

Make sure you have a high level of proficiency in calculus before you start Physics. Students who attempt Physics without doing calculus first are generally confused the entire time.

You need calculus to understand physics. Period. Anyone who tells you otherwise is either deluded or lying.

In fact, calculus was literally invented for physics.

There are algebra-based and calculus-based exams. The calculus-based exams are a bit harder, but also carry much, much more value. You should take the calculus-based tests. You can also just take them all.

Get a general overview of the content in Physics.

1. Get the relevant Barron's books.
   Algebra-based: Physics 1 and Physics 2.
   Calculus-based: Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism and Physics C: Mechanics are both covered in this book.

2. Watch the Crash Course Videos in Physics on this page.

3. Watch all the Khan Academy Videos in Physics here.

Study Physics in more detail.

1. Complete the Khan Academy second level of Physics training here.

2. Read through the Barron's book sections and exercises. Do a chapter a day.

3. Do the practice tests. Read the answer explanations thoroughly after you grade your test.

If you're stuck, expert help can be very useful. If your budget allows it, consider a Vohra Method program (Vohra Method is run by the founders of the AP Homeschool Project). If not, consider getting help from a local college student.

When you are consistently getting 42+ multiple choice questions right and 80% or more correct in the free response, you are ready to take the real test!

Take the AP Physics Test.

1. Sign up for the AP exams of your choice by October.
   For this, you will need to email apstudents@info.collegeboard.org. As an AP Homeschool scholar, you’ll take the AP exams at schools close to where you live.

2. Take the AP test.
   If you scored a 5, congratulations.
   If you scored a 4, that is accepted for college credit at most colleges. Just verify that your first choice college accepts a 4 in that subject.
   If you scored a 3 or lower, then you should do a second round of studying and plan to take the test again next May.