The Advanced Placement exams represent some of the most challenging subject-specific standardized tests a high schooler might ever take, and AP Physics 1 is no exception. Amy and Mike believe that every test warrants smart, serious preparation, so we invited educators Jennifer Boughton and John D’Alessandro to share valuable strategies, insights, and resources for getting ready for the AP Physics 1 exam.

What are five things you will learn in this episode?

What is tested on the AP Physics 1 exam and how does it differ from the other physics APs?
How important is a calculator on the AP Physics exam?
What are the highest priority topics for this exam?
What are the best prep materials for AP Physics?
How should students prepare for the AP Physics?

MEET OUR GUESTS

Jennifer Boughton is an enthusiastic educator fascinated by the studies of physics and mathematics. She received bachelor’s degrees in Physics, Physics Education and Mathematics Education along with a master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Bowling Green State University.

After spending a few years teaching high school, Jennifer accepted a position with the federal government supervising an operational team and serving as an adjunct instructor for training programs across the United States working with the CIA, DoD, FBI, and JCITA for more than 12 years.

Jennifer returned to public school teaching in 2016 and currently works in the Cincinnati, Ohio area as a Physics instructor at Saint Xavier High School, an adjunct instructor of Physics, Mathematics and Robotics at The University of Cincinnati for the Upward Bound Program and a Physics, Mathematics, ACT and SAT tutor for LEAP-Test Prep and College Counseling.

Jennifer can be reached at info@leaprogram.com.

John D’Alessandro teaches multiple levels of physics at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, OH. He received a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Michigan. While he was pursuing a doctorate in astrophysics at the University of Kentucky, he was exposed to modern tools to teach physics at the high school level, and that changed the course of his life. He realized teaching was what thrilled him. He left UK with a master’s degree in physics and then received a master’s of science in secondary school science education from Columbia University’s Teachers College.

John is a National Board Certified Teacher in physics, is trained as an instructional coach, and has more than thirty years of experience teaching physics. He also coaches a FIRST FTC competitive robotics team.

John can be reached at jdalessandro@stxavier.org.

LINKS

AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based

AP®︎/College Physics 1 | Science | Khan Academy

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ABOUT THIS PODCAST

Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

ABOUT YOUR HOSTS

Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and founder of TestBright. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros. If you’re interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, feel free to get in touch through our contact page.

563. GETTING READY FOR THE AP PHYSICS 1 EXAM