AP Physics Exam Contents


Both AP Physics Exams are 3 Hours Long


A four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator is allowed for all portions of the exam

Section Question Type # of Questions Weight Time
IA Single-select Multiple-choice Questions 45 50% 90 Minutes
IB Multiple-select Multiple-choice Items 5
II
Free-response Questions
AP Physics 1 AP Physics 2
Question 1: Experimental Design (12 points)
Question 2: Qualitative/Quantitative Translation (12 points)
Question 3: Paragraph Argument Short Answer (7 points) Question 3: Paragraph Argument Short Answer Question (10 points)
Questions 4 and 5: Short Answer (7 points each) Question 4: Short Answer Question (10 points)
4-5 50% 90 Minutes
AP Physics 1 Exam Weighting for the Multiple-Choice Section
Unit of Instruction Exam Weighting
Kinematics 12–18%
Dynamics 16–20%
Circular Motion and Gravitation 6–8%
Energy 20–28%
Momentum 12–18%
Simple Harmonic Motion 4–6%
Torque and Rotational Motion 12–18%
AP Physics 1 Exam Weighting for the Multiple-Choice Section
Unit of Instruction Exam Weighting
Fluids 10–12%
Thermodynamics 12–18%
Electric Force, Field, and Potential 18–22%
Electric Circuits 10–14%
Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction 10–12%
Geometric and Physical Optics 12–14%
Quantum, Atomic, and Nuclear Physics 10–12%