AP Physics C Exam

The AP Physics C Exams are higher-level exams administered every year in May upon the completion of an Advanced Placement Physics C course taken at your loftier school. There are ii different exams offered, AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. You tin can take one or both of these exams. If you lot score high enough, your AP Physics score(southward) could earn you college credit!

Check out our AP Physics C Guide for the essential info you need virtually the exam:

  • AP Physics C Examination Overview
  • Differences betwixt Physics 1, ii, and C
  • AP Physics C Sections and Question Types
  • Calculator Policy
  • Equation Sheet
  • AP Physics C Scoring
  • How to Prepare

What'south on the AP Physics C test?

The College Board is very detailed in what they require your AP teacher to cover in your AP Physics C course. They explicate that you should be familiar with the following topics:

Mechanics

  • Kinematics
  • Newton's Laws of Motility
  • Piece of work, Energy, and Power
  • Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum
  • Rotation
  • Oscillations
  • Gravitation
Electricity & Magnetism
  • Electrostatics
  • Conductors, Capacitors, and Dielectrics
  • Electric Circuits
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Electromagnetism

What'due south the difference between AP Physics 1, 2, and C?

  • AP Physics i is the equivalent of the first semester of an introductory college-level course on algebra-based physics, covering the topics of Newtonian mechanics; work, energy, and power.

  • AP Physics 2 is the equivalent of the second semester in the higher-level introductory grade, roofing the topics of fluid mechanics; thermodynamics; electricity and magnetism; eyes; and quantum, diminutive, and nuclear physics.

  • AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism are each equivalent to college-level courses in calculus-based physics.

AP Physics C Sections & Question Types

The AP Physics C exam is broken downwards into two separate, 90-minute tests: AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. Both consist of a multiple-pick section and a gratuitous-response section.

AP Physics C: Mechanics

Timing

Number of Questions

Multiple Choice

45 minutes

  • 35 single-select: detached questions and questions in sets with ane correct answer

Free Response

45 minutes

  • 3 free-response questions
  • I of the 3 free-response questions will include an experimental or lab-based component
Full: one hour 30 minutes 38 questions

AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism

Timing

Number of Questions

Multiple Choice

45 minutes

  • 35 single-select: discrete questions and questions in sets with 1 right respond

Gratis Response

45 minutes

  • three free-response questions
  • One of the iii free-response questions volition include an experimental or lab-based component
Full: one hour 30 minutes 38 questions

Note: The College Board has not nevertheless announced if the 2021 digital version of the AP Physics C exams volition exist in identify for future exam years. For updates on the digital examination and its format, please visit the AP Physics C pages on the College Board's website.

AP Physics C Multiple-Selection

Single-select questions are each followed by five possible responses, but one of which is correct.

AP Physics C Gratis Response Questions

The gratis response section consists of iii multi-part questions, which require yous to write out your solutions, showing your work. Unlike the multiple-choice section, which is scored by a estimator, the gratuitous-response section is graded past high school and college teachers. They take guidelines for awarding partial credit, so you may however receive partial points should you non correctly answer to every part of  the question.

Can you lot apply a calculator on the AP Physics exam?

Yous are allowed to utilize a computer on the entire AP Physics C Examination—including both the multiple-choice and gratis-response sections. Scientific or graphing calculators may be used, provided that they don't take any unapproved features or capabilities (a list of approved graphing calculators is available on the College Board's website).

What'south on the AP Physics C equation canvas?

A table of equations commonly used in physics will be provided to you at the test site. Bank check out what the AP Physics C formula sheet looks like here.

How is AP Physics C scored?

AP scores are reported from 1 to 5. Colleges are mostly looking for a iv or 5 on the AP Physics C exams, but some may grant credit for a 3. Here'southward how students scored on the May 2020 tests:

Score

Meaning

2020 Percentage of AP Physics C: Mechanics Test Takers

2020 Percentage of AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism Test Takers

v

Extremely qualified

41.vi%

forty.4%

4

Well qualified

26.4%

24.4%

three

Qualified

16.3%

11.six%

2

Possibly qualified

9.two%

xvi.2%

ane

No recommendation

6.5%

9.5%

Source: College Board

How can I gear up?

AP classes are great, just for many students they're not enough! For a thorough review of AP Physics C content and strategy, pick the AP prep choice that works best for your goals and learning style.

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