How to Study for AP Physics Effectively

Staring at your AP Physics textbook and wondering where to even start? You're not alone.

AP Physics has a reputation for being tough. In fact, (opens in a new tab)AP Physics 1 had one of the lowest pass rates among all AP subjects in 2024, with only 47.3% of students scoring 3 or higher (opens in a new tab). That's significantly below the average pass rate for all AP courses.

But here's the thing: with the right study approach, you can absolutely master this subject. The students who struggle aren't less capable. They just haven't figured out how to study physics effectively. If you are one of those students, don't worry, you've come to the right place. 

This guide will show you exactly how to prepare for your AP Physics exam. We'll break down smart study strategies, help you focus on what actually matters, and give you a clear plan to follow.

At Save My Exams, we've helped thousands of students tackle challenging subjects by focusing on practical, evidence-based revision techniques. Let's get you ready to ace AP Physics.

Know Your AP Physics Course

First things first: not all AP Physics courses are the same.

You need to know exactly which course you're taking because the content and difficulty vary quite a bit.

AP Physics 1 (opens in a new tab) is algebra-based and covers mechanics, waves, electricity and fluid mechanics. It's designed as a first-year physics course. No calculus required, but the conceptual questions can be tricky.

AP Physics 2 (opens in a new tab) builds on Physics 1. It covers thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics, and modern physics. It is more difficult than AP Physics 1 because it recommends that you have taken or be concurrently taking precalculus (opens in a new tab). This course is still algebra-based and is typically taken after AP Physics 1.

AP Physics C: Mechanics (opens in a new tab) focuses purely on mechanics but uses calculus. It's more mathematically demanding. (opens in a new tab)In 2024, 76.3% of students passed this exam (opens in a new tab), but the higher pass rate is largely because it attracts strong STEM students who may already be studying calculus.

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism (opens in a new tab) is often taken alongside or after Mechanics, and also requires calculus. (opens in a new tab)The 2024 pass rate was 67% (opens in a new tab).

Understanding which course you're in helps you focus your revision on the right content. Physics 1 and 2 emphasize conceptual understanding and qualitative reasoning. Physics C courses require stronger math skills and more complex problem-solving.

Make sure you know what your exam tests before you start revising.

Understand the Exam Format and Skills Required

Knowing the exam structure helps you prepare more strategically.

All AP Physics exams follow the same basic format: section one is multiple-choice questions, and section two is free-response questions. The exams have a total duration of three hours. 

Multiple-choice section

Tests your ability to apply physics concepts quickly. You'll see calculations, graphs to interpret, and scenario-based questions. 

Each AP Physics exam has a multiple-choice section with 40 questions. You’ll have 80 minutes to finish them. This section counts for 50% of your final score.

Free-response section

Longer questions that test deeper understanding. You'll need to show your working, explain your reasoning, and sometimes design experiments or analyze data. 

Each AP Physics exam includes a free-response section. You have 100 minutes to complete it, and it counts for 50% of your final score.

The four free-response questions are:

• Mathematical Routines

  • You will need to apply equations and mathematical models to explain physical phenomena

  • Expect to derive relationships, manipulate formulas, substitute values correctly, and perform clear, unit-consistent calculations

  • You should show how the math connects to the physical principles rather than just presenting final answers

• Translation between Representations

  • You will be expected to move fluently between different ways of representing information — such as words, graphs, equations, and diagrams

  • You must interpret one form and translate it into another, explaining the same concept clearly across all formats

  • This skill demonstrates your conceptual understanding, not just your ability to compute

• Experimental Design and Analysis

  • You will need to design an experiment or analyze one that has been described

  • This includes identifying variables, describing data collection methods, proposing ways to reduce uncertainty, and analyzing results

  • You should justify your reasoning, interpret patterns, and draw conclusions consistent with physical laws

  • Think like a scientist, planning and evaluating real data

• Qualitative/Quantitative Translation

  • You will need to explain a physical process in words and then use calculations to verify or extend your reasoning

  • Your job is to link qualitative understanding with quantitative results — to show how your conceptual explanation and your numbers support each other

  • This problem type rewards both physical insight and precise computation

The exams test whether you can apply physics to new situations, not just recall what you've learned. That's why practice with real exam questions is so important.

Master the Core Concepts

Here's the uncomfortable truth: you can't just memorize your way through AP Physics. You need genuine understanding.

Start with the big ideas in your specific course. For AP Physics 1, that means:

• Kinematics (motion graphs, acceleration, free fall)

• Newton's laws and force analysis

• Energy and work

• Momentum and collisions

• Rotational motion

• Simple harmonic motion

• Waves and sound

• Fluid Mechanics

For AP Physics 2, that means:

• Thermodynamics

• Electric Force, Field, and Potential

• Electric Circuits

• Magnetism and Electromagnetism

• Geometric and Physical Optics (Reflection, refraction, lenses, interference, and diffraction)

• Modern Physics (Photoelectric effect, atomic models, nuclear reactions, and mass-energy equivalence)

For AP Physics C courses, focus on:

• Calculus-based kinematics and dynamics for Mechanics

• Calculus-based analysis of electric and magnetic interactions

You will consistently be asked to justify your reasoning. That means you need to understand what is happening and why it's happening. And you will need to be able to explain it clearly.

In the algebra-based courses, there is very little numerical math. You need to be able to derive equations from first principles, manipulate equations, use relationships between variables to predict, make claims and provide mathematical analysis. 

Familiarizing yourself with common lab investigations will help you to build intuition and apply your conceptual understanding to real-world situations.

Understanding beats memorization every single time.

Build Your Problem-Solving and Math Skills

Physics is a problem-solving subject. You need to practice solving problems systematically.

Here's a reliable approach:

1. Read the question carefully. What's being asked? What information are you given?

2. Draw a diagram. Visualize the situation. Label forces, velocities, or fields.

3. Identify the relevant concept. Which physics principles apply?

4. Write down the equations you need. Don't skip steps.

5. Solve algebraically first. Plug numbers in at the end.

6. Check your units. They should make sense.

7. Review your answer. Is it reasonable?

Pay attention to units and significant figures. You'll lose marks if you're careless with these.

Get comfortable reading and creating graphs. Position-time graphs, velocity-time graphs, force diagrams – these appear constantly.

Practice with worked examples. Don't just read solutions. Try the problem yourself first, then check your answers.

The more problems you solve, the more patterns you'll recognize.

College Board offers access to the AP Classroom (opens in a new tab) for all AP students via a code that you are given by your teacher. From here, you can access course materials, complete assigned quizzes and progress checks, watch AP Daily videos, and track your performance through a personal dashboard.

Use Active Recall and Spaced Repetition

Passive revision doesn't work for physics. Reading notes over and over only creates the illusion of learning. 

You need active recall: testing yourself on material without looking at notes. This is scientifically proven to strengthen memory and understanding far more effectively than passive review.

Here's how to use it:

Create flashcards for key concepts, formulas, and common mistakes. Don't just write definitions. Include:

• When to use specific equations

• Common problem types

• Typical exam pitfalls

Use spaced repetition: review material at increasing intervals. Study something today, then review it in three days, then a week, then two weeks.

The key is forcing yourself to retrieve information from memory. That struggle is what makes it stick.

Test yourself regularly. Cover up your notes and try to explain concepts out loud. If you can teach it, you understand it.

Try online tools such as Anki (opens in a new tab), Notion (opens in a new tab) or NotebookLM (opens in a new tab) for making flashcards. Or you can make physical flashcards from index cards if you prefer a more tangible format.

Practice with Real Exam Questions

Nothing prepares you better than actual AP exam questions.

At Save My Exams, we have all the AP Physics Past Exam Papers organized by course for easy access. 

For AP Physics 1, we have you covered with study guides covering the entire course, including examiner tips and tricks to help you ace your exams. 

Our exam questions are arranged by topic and cover both MCQs and FRQs with student-friendly model answers, mark scheme guidance and question-based examiner tips and tricks to help you understand exactly what examiners are looking for. 

We have target tests that pinpoint your weak areas and turn them into strengths, with personalized, exam-style tests built just for you. Smart, focused exam practice, making sure you’re ready for anything.

Then, when you’re ready to hone your exam technique, we have practice tests so you can replicate the full exam experience. 

You can also use AP Classroom (opens in a new tab) for access to topic-based practice exam questions. 

Start with individual exam questions by topic and target tests, using the study guides to refresh your knowledge on your weaker areas. 

As the exam approaches, do complete timed practice papers and past exam papers. This builds stamina and helps you manage time pressure.

After completing questions, check the scoring rubrics and sample answers that show exactly what examiners want to see.

Pay attention to how marks are awarded. Often, you get points for:

• Showing clear working

• Stating the physics principle you're using

• Including correct units

• Drawing accurate diagrams

Learn from your mistakes. Keep a list of questions you got wrong and why. Review these regularly.

Consistent practice with exam questions is the single most effective revision strategy.

Create a Study Plan That Works for You

Having a plan keeps you accountable and ensures you cover everything.

Your plan depends on how much time you have.

Long-term preparation (3–6 months before the exam):

• Week 1–2: Review fundamental concepts from the start of the year

• Weeks 3–8: Work through each topic systematically, one per week

• Do practice questions after each topic

• Weeks 9–10: Complete the first full practice exam and review mistakes

• Weeks 11–12: Focus on weak areas identified in practice exam

• Weeks 13+: Regular timed practice with past papers, final review of all topics

Short-term cramming (4–6 weeks before the exam):

• Week 1: Focus on the highest-weighted topics in your course

• Week 2: Practice multiple-choice questions intensively

• Week 3: Master free-response techniques with past papers

• Week 4: Complete two full practice exams

• Weeks 5–6: Target weak spots, review common mistakes, final practice

Be realistic about balancing AP Physics with other subjects. Don't try to study everything at once.

Set weekly topic goals. At the end of each week, test yourself on what you've covered.

Track your progress. Keep a revision log showing topics covered and practice exam scores.

Adjust your plan as needed. If something's taking longer than expected, that's fine. Flexibility is important.

The best study plan is one you'll actually follow.

Get Comfortable with Labs and Data Analysis

Experimental design and data analysis appear in every AP Physics exam.

In free-response questions, you'll often need to:

• Design an experiment to test a hypothesis

• Predict what data you'd collect

• Analyze results and draw conclusions

• Identify sources of error

You don't need to memorize specific lab procedures. But you do need to understand the scientific method.

Practice interpreting data tables and graphs. Can you identify relationships? Linear? Quadratic? Inverse?

When asked to design an experiment, be specific:

• What will you measure?

• What will you vary?

• What will you keep constant?

• What equipment do you need?

If you've done lab work in class, review your lab reports. Look at how you analyzed uncertainty and discussed results.

Common lab scenarios include:

• Testing Newton's second law with different masses

• Investigating energy conservation with pendulums

• Analyzing circuits with resistors and capacitors

The more comfortable you are with experimental thinking, the better you'll do on these questions.

Make the Most of Available Resources

You don't need to study alone. There are excellent resources available.

Textbooks: OpenStax provides free, high-quality physics textbooks. Many students also use "5 Steps to a 5" or "Princeton Review" AP prep books.

YouTube channels:

• Flipping Physics: Clear explanations with worked examples

• Khan Academy: Comprehensive coverage of physics topics

• Bozeman Science AP Physics Essentials: Clear, concise explanations of key concepts

Study groups: Set up study groups online or in person with your classmates. Ask questions, share resources, and stay motivated.

Tutoring: If you're really struggling, consider getting help from a physics tutor or your teacher during office hours.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Physics is hard, and everyone needs support sometimes.

Use a mix of resources. Different explanations work for different people.

Save My Exams offers comprehensive AP Physics 1 study guides, topic questions, and practice tests to help you prepare effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Hard Is AP Physics Compared to Other AP Courses?

AP Physics 1 is considered one of the hardest AP courses.

In 2024, only 47.3% of students scored 3 or higher (opens in a new tab), well below the average pass rate for all AP subjects.

Students find it challenging because it requires both conceptual understanding and mathematical problem-solving. You can't just memorize facts.

AP Physics C courses have higher pass rates (76.3% for Mechanics in 2024 (opens in a new tab)), but that's because they attract stronger STEM students who often take calculus concurrently.

Don't let the statistics scare you. With proper preparation, you can absolutely succeed.

What Are the Most Important Topics in AP Physics 1?

Focus your revision on these high-yield topics:

• Kinematics: Motion graphs, equations of motion, projectile motion

• Newton's Laws: Force diagrams, F = ma, friction

• Energy: Work, kinetic energy, potential energy, conservation

• Momentum: Collisions, impulse, conservation of momentum

• Circular Motion: Centripetal force and acceleration

• Rotation: Torque, rotational inertia, angular momentum

• Simple Harmonic Motion: Springs and pendulums

• Waves: Wave properties, standing waves, sound

• Fluid Mechanics: Buoyancy, fluid pressure, continuity, and Bernoulli’s principle

Master these fundamentals, and you've covered the majority of what the exam tests.

Can I Self-Study AP Physics C?

Yes, but it's challenging.

AP Physics C requires calculus knowledge. If you're comfortable with derivatives and integrals, self-studying is doable.

You'll need:

• A good textbook (OpenStax or Halliday/Resnick/Walker)

• Access to practice problems with solutions

• Discipline to work through problems regularly

• The College Board course description to ensure you cover everything

Many students successfully self-study Physics C: Mechanics. Electricity & Magnetism is harder to self-study because the concepts are more abstract.

If you're self-studying, join online communities for support and use multiple resources to ensure you understand each topic properly.

How Much Math Do I Need to Know for AP Physics?

For AP Physics 1 and 2: You need solid algebra skills. This includes:

• Solving equations

• Working with fractions

• Understanding graphs and functions

• Basic trigonometry (sine, cosine, tangent)

No calculus required, but you do need to be comfortable manipulating equations.

For AP Physics C: You must know calculus. Specifically:

• Derivatives (rates of change)

• Integrals (area under curves)

• Basic differential equations

You don't need to be a math genius, but you can't skip the fundamentals. If your algebra or calculus is weak, spend time strengthening those skills first.

What’s the Best Way to Review Before the Exam?

In the final weeks before your exam:

Two weeks out: Complete at least two full, timed practice exams. Review every mistake thoroughly.

One week out: Focus on your weakest topics. Don't try to learn new material. Consolidate what you know.

A few days before: Review your formula sheet, common mistakes, and exam technique. Do a few practice questions to stay sharp.

Night before: Light review only. Look over key concepts and get a good night's sleep. Your brain needs rest to perform well.

Morning of: Eat a proper breakfast. Bring water, a calculator, and pencils. Arrive early to avoid stress.

Stay calm and trust your preparation. You've got this.

Final Thoughts

AP Physics is tough. There's no getting around that.

But it's also completely manageable when you approach it the right way.

The students who do well aren't necessarily more naturally gifted. They're the ones who study actively, practice consistently, and focus on understanding rather than memorization.

Start your revision early. Work through problems regularly. Test yourself with past papers. Ask for help when you need it.

Track your progress and celebrate small wins. Each topic you master, each practice question you get right – that's progress.

Don't compare yourself to others. Focus on your own improvement.

AP Physics teaches you to think critically and solve complex problems. Those skills will serve you well beyond the exam.

Stay focused on your goals. Put in the work. And remember: you're capable of much more than you think.

Ready to start revising? (opens in a new tab)Explore our AP Physics resources on Save My Exams for comprehensive study guides, exam questions, target tests, practice tests, and past exam papers designed to help you succeed.

You've got this.

References

• College Board: AP Physics 1 Exam Score Distribution (opens in a new tab)

• College Board: Past AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism Score Distributions (opens in a new tab)

• College Board: Past AP Physics C: Mechanics Score Distributions (opens in a new tab)

• College Board Reviews: Comprehensive Guide To College Board AP Classroom (opens in a new tab)