The College Board has updated the frameworks and exams for all four AP Physics courses — AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C: Mechanics, and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism — to better align with introductory college courses and clarify expectations for students and teachers.
These revisions take effect in the 2024-25 academic year, with changes reflected in the May 2025 AP exams.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the updates:
AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based
Course Changes
- Expanded from 7 units to 8:
- Fluids (previously in AP Physics 2) is now Unit 8 in AP Physics 1.
- New topics added:
- Connections between rotational and translational motion.
- Learning objectives related to power.
- Equations of motion for simple harmonic motion.
- Framework flexibility:
- Science practices are now decoupled from specific learning objectives, allowing any combination to be tested.
Exam Updates
- Section I: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Reduced from 50 to 40 MCQs.
- Multiselect questions removed.
- Time reduced from 90 to 80 minutes.
- Section II: Free-Response Questions (FRQs):
- Reduced from 5 to 4 FRQs.
- New FRQ types:
- Mathematical routines
- Translation between representations
- Experimental design and analysis
- Qualitative/quantitative translation
- Time increased from 90 to 100 minutes.
AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based
Course Changes
- Fluids removed (moved to AP Physics 1).
- Expanded waves coverage, now including:
- Mechanical waves, standing waves, sound waves, and the Doppler effect.
- Optics split into two units:
- Geometric Optics (Unit 13) and Waves, Sound, and Physical Optics (Unit 14).
- New topics:
- Blackbody radiation connecting thermodynamics and modern physics.
- Compton scattering.
- Enhanced circuits coverage.
- Science practices are decoupled from specific learning objectives for more question variety.
Exam Updates
- Section I: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Reduced from 50 to 40 MCQs.
- Multiselect questions removed.
- Time reduced from 90 to 80 minutes.
- Section II: Free-Response Questions (FRQs):
- New FRQ types:
- Mathematical routines
- Translation between representations
- Experimental design and analysis
- Qualitative/quantitative translation
- Time increased from 90 to 100 minutes.
- New FRQ types:
AP Physics C: Mechanics
Course Changes
- Improved language consistency across all AP Physics courses.
- Clearer definitions for topics like:
- Gravitational forces within an extended mass.
- Physical pendulums.
- Stronger alignment between essential knowledge, learning objectives, and science practices.
Exam Updates
- Section I: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Increased from 35 to 40 MCQs.
- Time increased from 45 to 80 minutes.
- All questions now have 4 options instead of 5.
- Section II: Free-Response Questions (FRQs):
- Increased from 3 to 4 FRQs.
- New FRQ types:
- Mathematical routines
- Translation between representations
- Experimental design and analysis
- Qualitative/quantitative translation
- Time increased from 45 to 100 minutes.
- The exam is now a full session and no longer shares a time slot with AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism.
AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
Course Changes
- Improved language consistency across AP Physics courses.
- Clearer definitions for:
- Dielectrics and their properties.
- LC circuits.
- Units renumbered starting at Unit 8, following AP Physics C: Mechanics.
Exam Updates
- Section I: Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Increased from 35 to 40 MCQs.
- Time increased from 45 to 80 minutes.
- All questions now have 4 options instead of 5.
- Section II: Free-Response Questions (FRQs):
- Increased from 3 to 4 FRQs.
- New FRQ types:
- Mathematical routines
- Translation between representations
- Experimental design and analysis
- Qualitative/quantitative translation
- Time increased from 45 to 100 minutes.
- The exam is now a full session and no longer shares a time slot with AP Physics C: Mechanics.
Summary Table of Exam Changes
| Course | MCQs | MCQ Time | FRQs | FRQ Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP Physics 1 | 40 | 80 minutes | 4 | 100 minutes |
| AP Physics 2 | 40 | 80 minutes | 4 | 100 minutes |
| AP Physics CM | 40 | 80 minutes | 4 | 100 minutes |
| AP Physics CEM | 40 | 80 minutes | 4 | 100 minutes |
Key Takeaways for Teachers and Students
- Courses now feature streamlined content, better alignment, and clearer expectations.
- New exam formats emphasize flexibility and skill application.
- The full-session exams for AP Physics C courses allow more focused assessments.
