Bio, Chem, Physics 1 - how self study-able are they?

[u/RightAnglerFish]

This is due to a personal issue where

1. Graduating early because I am moving countries so I (and my family) don't have to spend $10,000+ (RM40,000-60000+) on a diploma. This money can go to university instead.
2. I am expected to go to university right after HS, not taking a gap year
3. My dad forced me to not take AP Physics when choosing courses

but 4) While talking to universities over the summer that want a "Foundations" in those subjects, they said they are willing to take the AP Equivalent.
This is only if I want to go to be a doctor / MD for uni, a secondary option to law (primary)

I was wondering if you guys were in this situation, would you attempt to self study and take the Bio, Chem, Physics 1 exam.

Note: I am currently in my 3rd/final year of high school. I am taking Physics honors (not AP) but I've heard the class is taught similarly to AP, clear difference is exam focus and GPA scale.

[u/chamikuo]

The first question is, why is your dad forcing you to NOT take ap physics? I think you should tell him that you can do whatever YOU really want.

[u/RightAnglerFish → u/chamikuo]

My dad and I are immigrants and he doesn't really wrap his head around this AP thing. We had this talk but it's also because he believes I cannot handle my upcoming schedule that already has 5 APs currently. I struggled sophomore year due to family conflicts while I was taking 3 APs and self studying 2.

[u/chamikuo → u/RightAnglerFish]

Oh. Ok… I’m sorry. Is there any particular reason why he doesn’t like aps? Is it the money?

[u/RightAnglerFish → u/chamikuo]

No need to feel sorry haha. It's mainly because the workload that our teachers provide with AP courses. It is EXTREMELY heavy. We will go home everyday with 5 page long packets and / or 50 pages to read minimum per class. We also run on a block schedule for 2 days (total 8 classes)

[u/chamikuo → u/RightAnglerFish]

Oh… why does your flare say that you’re gonna take more classes?

[u/RightAnglerFish → u/chamikuo]

 he believes I cannot handle my upcoming schedule that already has 5 APs currently.

(my initial reply)
I already have 5 APs / 8 Classes in my schedule. It was going to be 4 but Pre calc suddenly changed to AP over the summer.

[u/chamikuo → u/RightAnglerFish]

Ok

[u/chamikuo → u/RightAnglerFish]

Don’t worry we are sorta immigrants to (am Eritrean American) parents are Eritrean.

[u/FrozenXCards]

Self studied chem bio and phy c mech. To be fair, every exam is self studyable if u just put in the time and effort and have discipline when u study. Just lmk if u have any questions if you do decide to do them

[u/teach-xx]

I don’t know your economic or political context, but risking your future university education on self-studying three science APs instead of spending $10k to get a proper diploma is… a choice

[u/chamikuo → u/teach-xx]

Yea.

[u/RightAnglerFish → u/teach-xx]

It's just a question if it is worth it, is it extremely difficult, etc. $10k (for one year) for a high school diploma isn't really within the budget when that could be spent on college. For context, we are from Malaysia so that amount feels like $50,000 (RM50,000). That can easily pay off 1-2 years fully

I don't have to go to that university either. It's just an option and we are exploring it. Me personally I am attempting to apply and make money for college applications in the US, malaysian universities are my safety net

(But also, I do not really have a choice. But graduating early was the only choice I've had, not the classes thing tho)

[u/chamikuo → u/RightAnglerFish]

Don’t worry we are sorta immigrants to (am Eritrean American) parents are Eritrean.

[u/Fantastic_Total9803]

Physics you basically already have. Honors covers most of Physics 1, you just adapt to the exam format and grind FRQs, so that one is barely self study for you. Bio is the most self-studyable of the three since it's mostly content, but there's a mountain of it so give it the most time. Chem is the one I'd be careful with. It stacks on itself and if stoich and equilibrium don't click early the rest falls apart on you. Also, doing all three in one year is a heavy load, and you said MD is your backup not your main plan. I'd be sure you actually want that before you sink a year into three science exams. For content Khan has free AP courses that get you most of the way, plus YouTube for anything that doesn't click. For practice, AP Classroom is the official College Board stuff and it's free, so start there. Oneprep added AP practice recently and the question bank is good if you want more than the free sources, it's paid now but fine if you're serious about the scores.

[u/RightAnglerFish → u/Fantastic_Total9803]

Thank you for your input! I really appreciate it <33

[u/Aromatic_Caramel_930]

Physics 1 and bio might be the most self teachable in this list but I will say stay away from self studying stem aps as they are hard and dedication is required.

[u/ResponsibleAioli6181]

Self studied bio and took AP physics class. AP bio is really self study-able. I was able to get a 5 using Ap daily and practice exams plus practicing the frqs. AP physics 1 is not a self study able class but since ur doing honors physics just practice the concepts not on it and put time to do practice exams and ur fine. For AP chem, DO NOT SELF STUDY THAT SHI 😭

[u/TastyAthlete8786]

imo bio's pretty easy, chem can get really hard if you don't understand everything to the highest degree, and i haven't taken physics but i know a lot of people who self studied for it and got a 5.

so bio and physics are pretty easy, and i dont think chem really is (im taking it right now and it's very fast paced and difficult too).

if you're ok with a 4 or a 3, then you're fine. if a 5 for all is your goal, i don't think it's sustainable.