AP Physics C

Click any of the links above for the best AP Physics C practice exams, free response questions, notes, videos, and study guides. These online resources include all the information you need to succeed in the Mechanics course as well as Electricity & Magnetism.

AP Physics C Exam

Each of the AP Physics C courses is equivalent to one semester of college-level, calculus-based physics. When both courses are offered, AP Physics C: Mechanics is typically taught first. Each course includes a hands-on laboratory component, with a minimum of 20% of instructional time devoted to laboratory work. Students are expected to maintain a lab notebook and complete formal lab reports.

The Mechanics course covers 6 major content areas, and the Electricity and Magnetism course covers 5 major content areas.

Mechanics Content Areas:
1.) Kinematics
2.) Newton’s laws of motion
3.) Work, energy & power
4.) Systems of particles & linear momentum
5.) Circular motion & rotation
6.) Oscillations & gravitation

Electricity and Magnetism Content Areas:
1.) Electrostatics
2.) Conductors & dielectrics
3.) Electric circuits
4.) Magnetic fields
5.) Electromagnetism

Exam Format:
Each of the Physics C exams are 90 minutes long. This time is split equally between the multiple choice and free response sections. Each test has 35 multiple choice questions and 3 free response questions.

The free-response section includes a table of information and a table of commonly used equations. Students are expected to clearly show their work in order to receive full credit. Partial credit is awarded for correct reasoning, even if the final answer is incorrect. Crossed-out work is not graded, and failure to show work may result in a loss of credit.

When is the AP Physics C Exam?

The AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exams are administered by the College Board each May. Exact exam dates and times vary by year and are published annually by the College Board.