AP Physics 1 Exam Day: Thursday, MAY 7, 2020

Exam Overview

Exam questions are based on learning objectives, which combine science practices with specific content. Students learn to:

• Solve problems mathematically—including symbolically.
• Design and describe experiments and analyze data and sources of error.
• Explain, reason, or justify answers with emphasis on deeper, conceptual understanding.
• Interpret and develop conceptual models.

The Quantitative Skills in the AP Sciences reference guide is for students to use as they develop their quantitative skills throughout the course.

The Paragraph-Length Response (.pdf/70.5KB) and The Analysis of Experimental Uncertainty(.pdf/72KB) documents provide clarifying information about expectations for student work in AP Physics 1 and 2.

Encourage your students to visit the AP Physics 1 student page for exam information and exam practice.

Laboratory Requirement and Lab Notebooks

Laboratory experience must be part of the education of AP Physics students and should be included in all AP Physics courses. Colleges may require students to present their laboratory materials from AP science courses before granting college credit for laboratory, so students are encouraged to retain their laboratory notebooks, reports, and other materials.

AP Calculator Policy

A four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator is allowed on both sections of the exam.

• Calculator Policies and Approved Calculators
• Make sure you and your students know what calculators are permitted.

Exam Format

Section I

Multiple Choice — 50 Questions | 1 Hour, 30 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score

• Individual questions
• Questions in sets
• Multiple-select questions (two options are correct)

Section II

Free Response — 5 Questions | 1 Hour, 30 Minutes | 50% of Exam Score

• Experimental Design (1 question)
• Quantitative/Qualitative Translation (1 question)
• Short Answer (3 questions, one requiring a paragraph-length argument)

Exam Questions and Scoring Information

For free-response questions from prior exams, along with scoring information, check out the tables below.

The free-response questions from past AP Physics B exam questions are still available. Please note that AP Physics B has been replaced by AP Physics 1 and 2.

Be sure to review the Chief Reader Report. In this invaluable resource, the Chief Reader of the AP Exam compiles feedback from members of the reading leadership to describe how students performed on the FRQs, summarize typical student errors, and address specific concepts and content with which students have struggled the most that year.