AP Physics Exam Tips

Overview

• Focus is on test-taking strategies rather than acquiring new physics knowledge.
• Goal: Get enough points to reach your desired threshold.
• Especially relevant for 2025 exams.

Multiple Choice Format

• Format Changes:
  • 40 questions, 80 minutes for all Physics A and C exams.
  • Time increased; one option removed.
  • Approx. 2 minutes per question.
• Strategy:
  • Questions are categorized by perceived difficulty (1 to 5 scale).
  • Diagnose difficulty upon reading a question; decide if it’s worth solving now or saving for later.
  • Bookmark questions for later review using digital test tools.
• Elimination Techniques:
  • Use functional dependence and plug in extreme values to eliminate wrong answers.
  • Pay attention to ratio/proportion questions.
• Common "One-off" Questions:
  • Newton’s Third Law (equal and opposite reactions).
  • Sign of work done, rotational inertia comparisons, orbit questions.
  • ENM focuses: Electric flux, E and V in conductors, equipotentials, right hand rule, Lenz's Law.

Free Response Questions (FRQ)

• Format:
  • Four known format questions; 100 minutes total.
  • MR question involves deriving expressions; typically harder.
  • Translation between representations (Q2) tests multiple skills.
  • Experimental design is predictable (Q3); start with this question.
  • QQT (Q4); tests understanding with and without math.
• Tips:
  • Read all questions before starting to plan your time allocation.
  • Identify questions by topic.
  • AP1 topics: Forces, conservation laws, rotation, fluids.
  • ENM topics: Electrostatics, circuits, magnetism, induction.
• Time Management:
  • 10 minutes reading, 30 minutes Q3, 20 minutes Q1, 25 minutes Q2, 15 minutes Q4.

Additional Tips

• Diagrams:
  • Free body diagrams should show real forces and vectors from the center dot.
  • Bar charts often depict conservation laws.
  • Use correct vector directions for circuits and fields.
• Derivation:
  • Begin with a fundamental equation or principle.
  • Organize thoughts to ensure clarity and thoroughness.
  • Show all steps; include relationships and equations.
• Graph Sketching:
  • Determine start and end points, and any asymptotic behavior.
  • Connect with lines as per functional dependencies.
• Experimental Design:
  • Part A: Describe how to obtain data.
  • Part B: Analyze and relate graphs to physical quantities.
  • Part C: Analyze given data and relate findings.
  • Part D: Solve using graph slope and intercept.
• Question 4:
  • Consistency check between parts.
  • Solve part B first if stuck on part A.

General Advice

• Understand the exam format well.
• Focus on earning partial credit.
• Demonstrate knowledge clearly and consistently.
• Use bullet points for clarity.
• Avoid lengthy paragraphs; stick to concise points.

Conclusion

• The preparation focus should be on test-taking strategies.
• Another video will follow with specific tips for Physics C.
• Aim to understand the format well to maximize scoring potential.

Good Luck!