About the AP Physics exam

AP stands for Advanced Placement exam conducted by the college board. In Physics, there are 4 AP courses that you can take. 

AP Physics 1: Algebra-based mechanics course.

AP Physics 2: Algebra-based electricity and magnetism course

AP Physics C- Mechanics: Calculus-based Mechanics course.

AP Physics C- Electricity and Magnetism: Calculus-based Electricity and Magnetism course

All four courses are 1 semester long each. 

Each course has a Physics Lab component as well. You should devote 25% of your time to the labs.

Colleges may ask you to show your lab portfolio.

AP Physics C requires calculus. You should have either already taken calculus or taken it concurrently.

AP Physics Exam structure: 

The algebra-based AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 exams are divided into 2 sections of 50% marks each with a 90 minutes duration. The first section consists of 50 multiple choice questions for Physics 1 and 2, whereas the second consists of 5 open response questions in AP Physics 1 and 4  in AP Physics 2. 

In contrast, the calculus-based AP Physics C courses are divided into two sections, but the time limit for each section is only 45 minutes instead of 90 minutes each. Here, the first part consists of 35 multiple choice questions instead of 50, and the second consists of 3 free response questions instead of 5 and 4 questions.

Why Should I take AP classes?

Helps in admission to your dream college:

AP is a vital college admission factor, one reason students prepare for AP exams.

Earn college credit:

Depending on the AP score, colleges give exceptions for various courses. This saves a lot of time and tuition fees while studying in college.

Helps placement to advanced courses in college:

Excellent AP scores inspire confidence in students’ abilities and desires, so colleges tend to offer them advanced courses.

Learn college courses in high school:

It prepares them for the rigors of college courses. It gives them a head start and separates them from those who have not taken any AP courses.

Improved GPA in high school:

AP courses are a lot tougher than high school courses, and preparing for AP improves their overall skill and hence their GPA in school. Such students do better than their peers in high school.

FAQ

Is AP Physics tough?

Yes. AP Physics course is challenging, mainly because high school students take it and do not have prior experience with college-level classes.

Is it hard to get an A in AP Physics 1? Is the Physics 1 exam hard?

Yes. AP Physics 1 is hard. It is one of the most challenging AP exams, with the lowest pass rates and one of the lowest % of students getting 5/5.

What should I study for the AP Physics 1 exam?

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based mechanics course you must finish in one semester.

Topics: Kinematics, Dynamics, Circular Motion and Gravitation, Energy, Momentum, Simple Harmonic Motion, Torque, and Rotational Motion.

AP Physics tutor price

A good AP physics tutor with experience in AP will charge at least $20 per hour and may go up to $150 per hour on average.

AP Physics tutorials with MEB:

You can search on Khan academy for free AP Physics tutorials. For the AP Physics 1 tutorial, click here.