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AP Physics Topics

AP Physics Exam Format

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Changes to the AP Physics Exams Starting in 2025

  1. Unified Exam Structure
    All four AP Physics exams (Physics 1, Physics 2, Physics C: Mechanics, and Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism) will follow the same format:

    • Multiple Choice (MCQ): 40 questions, 80 minutes

    • Free Response (FRQ): 4 questions, 100 minutes

  2. Removal of Complex Question Types
    The previous multiselect and paragraph-length response questions will be eliminated. Question types are now more focused, which reduces the overall difficulty.

  3. Extended Exam Time for Physics C
    The duration of the AP Physics C exams has nearly doubled. As a result, students will no longer be able to take Physics C and another Physics exam on the same day.

Impact Analysis

  • AP Physics 1 & 2

    • Before: 90 minutes for 50 MCQs → ~1.5 minutes per question

    • Now: 80 minutes for 40 MCQs → 2 minutes per question

    • FRQs reduced from 5 to 4, and multiselect questions removed
      👉 Overall, fewer questions, more time per problem, and simpler formats
      👉 Likely outcome: average scores and pass rates will rise significantly starting in 2025

  • AP Physics C (Mechanics & E&M)

    • Both exams will feature more questions and much longer testing time

    • Still rigorous, but with heavier workload and pacing demands
      👉 Likely outcome: fewer students will earn a score of 5, with more clustering in the 3–4 range

AP Score Distributions

AP Physics 1  (Algebra Based) Score Distribution

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AP Physics 2 (Algebra Based) Score Distribution

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AP Physics C Mechanics  Score Distribution

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AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism Score Distribution

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Major AP Science Exams Score Distribution

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Physics Courses Advice

​Recently, many parents have reached out to ask about course planning for the upcoming school year. I'd like to share my thoughts here for your reference:

If your child is considering majors such as Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Civil Engineering—or is simply interested in these areas—I strongly recommend completing both AP Physics C: Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism (E&M) during high school.

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Why?

1. These college majors require a strong foundation in physics. Getting ahead in high school will make university-level coursework much easier.

2. Even though AP Physics C may not always be explicitly required by colleges, a strong physics background is often an important factor when top STEM programs review applications.

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My advice by grade level:

 

For 9th and 10th graders:
Start with AP Physics 1. It focuses on mechanics and has 8 units in total. It’s one of the more challenging AP subjects, with a historically lower average score, but it builds a solid foundation for future physics studies—especially AP Physics C.

 

For students who’ve just finished AP Physics 1 or are entering 11th grade:
If your school schedule is tight, or you want to streamline your academic path, I recommend skipping AP Physics 2 and moving straight to AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism (E&M).

Why? If a student did well in AP Physics 1, they’ve already covered about 90% of the content in AP Physics C: Mechanics. The remaining 10% includes about 5% new concepts and 5% basic calculus tools. So, it’s very doable to self-review Mechanics, start officially studying E&M, and take both AP Physics C exams in next year May.

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Why take both AP Physics C exams in 11th grade?

Colleges review your transcript during the admissions process, including the courses you’ve taken and the scores you’ve earned. Completing AP Physics C by 11th grade demonstrates strong academic ability and a readiness to take on challenging STEM coursework—qualities that stand out to top tech schools like MIT, Caltech, Carnegie Mellon, and Berkeley.

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If you have any questions about your specific situation, feel free to reach out. I'm always happy to help.

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