AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
What the AP Physics 1 exam covers, how it's scored, the topics it's built on, and how to practice your way to a 5.
AP Physics 1 is a college-level, algebra-based introductory physics course and exam covering kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, rotation, simple harmonic motion and now fluids. The exam runs 3 hours: a 50-question multiple-choice section and a 5-question free-response section, scored from 1 to 5. It's taken in May, and many colleges grant credit for a 3 or higher — confirm your target college's policy.
Two sections, algebra-based physics
The exam splits evenly between multiple choice and free response, and questions are drawn from the course's mechanics topics plus fluids. A calculator and equation sheet are provided throughout.
50 questions, 90 minutes.
Single-select questions, including some based on shared stimuli, graphs and experimental setups — worth half your score. Conceptual reasoning about motion, forces and energy matters as much as calculation.
5 questions, 90 minutes.
Question types include mathematical routines, translation between representations, an experimental design and analysis task, and a "justify your reasoning" prompt — the other half of your score. Clear written explanations earn the points.
One 1–5 score.
The two sections combine into a single 1–5. A 3 is "qualified"; a 4 or 5 is strong. Credit policies are set by each college — confirm yours.
Practice it, topic by topic.
Reading about physics isn't the same as working AP-style problems and learning from every miss. Start free and practice by topic.
What AP Physics 1 covers
- Kinematics — describing motion in one and two dimensions
- Dynamics — forces and Newton's laws
- Work, Energy and Power
- Linear Momentum and collisions
- Torque and Rotational Motion
- Simple Harmonic Motion — oscillations
- Fluids — density, pressure and buoyancy
How to study for AP Physics 1
- Practice one topic at a time, then mix topics like the exam does.
- Drill the free-response — especially "justify your reasoning" answers.
- Build intuition with diagrams: free-body, motion and energy bar charts.
- Review every miss until the concept, not just the answer, is clear.
- Sit timed sets to build pace across both sections.
What makes AP Physics 1 different
AP Physics 1 is algebra-based and focuses on mechanics. The hard part is modeling motion and forces with words, graphs, equations and conservation laws.
| Area | What matters | Practice move |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanics | Motion and force models | Practice free-body diagrams, kinematics graphs and Newton's laws before jumping to equations. |
| Conservation | Energy and momentum | Choose energy, momentum or impulse based on what is conserved in the setup. |
| Rotation | Torque and angular motion | Translate linear ideas into rotational versions and keep units visible. |
| FRQ work | Reasoning over formula hunting | Explain why a graph, sign or relationship follows from the model, not only the final number. |
AP Physics 1 questions
What's on the AP Physics 1 exam?
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