Running out of time before the AP Physics 1 exam? This last-minute cram guide covers the highest-yield units, the FRQ types most likely to appear, and the formulas you absolutely need.
AP Physics 1 Exam Structure
Section I: 50 MCQ in 90 minutes (50% of score) — includes 5 multi-select questions. Section II: 5 FRQs in 90 minutes (50% of score) — experimental design, qualitative/quantitative translation, paragraph argument, and 2 short-answer questions.
Highest-Yield Units for Last-Minute Review
- Unit 1 — Kinematics: Displacement, velocity, acceleration graphs. Know how to read position-time and velocity-time graphs — they appear in nearly every exam.
- Unit 2 — Forces: Newton's laws, free-body diagrams, friction, inclines. The most-tested unit by raw question count.
- Unit 4 — Energy: Work-energy theorem, conservation of energy, power. Critical for both MCQ and the longer FRQs.
- Unit 5 — Momentum: Impulse-momentum theorem, conservation of momentum, elastic vs. inelastic collisions.
- Unit 7 — Simple Harmonic Motion: Period of pendulums and springs (qualitative only — no calculus required).
AP Physics 1 FRQ Strategy
The Paragraph Argument FRQ (7 pts) is scored on physics accuracy and logical flow, not grammar. Write complete sentences that state a principle, explain how it applies, and connect it to the scenario. Never leave this blank — partial credit is generous.
AimFive's Cram Mode builds a 20-question session from your worst AP Physics 1 topics — ideal for the 48 hours before exam day.
AP Physics 1 Practice Questions · AP Physics 1 Study Guide · How to Get a 5 on AP Physics 1
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