AP Physics 1 (Algebra-Based) tests algebra-based mechanics, oscillations, and fluids over a three-hour hybrid digital exam. Section I is multiple choice in the Bluebook testing app; Section II is handwritten free response in a paper booklet. The two sections are weighted equally, and the final composite is mapped to a score of 1 to 5. The 2026 administration was Wednesday, May 6, 2026; official scores release in July 2026.
Section I: Multiple choice
40 questions · 80 minutes · 50% of composite
Forty discrete and stimulus-based multiple-choice items in the Bluebook digital testing app. Each question has four answer choices with exactly one correct answer. No multi-select items. No penalty for guessing: every blank is a lost point, so fill in an answer for every question.
- Discrete items test a single concept in isolation.
- Question sets share a stimulus (a scenario, graph, or data table) across two to four related questions.
- Roughly 2 minutes per question on average, but stimulus-based sets often need more time than that suggests.
Section II: Free response
4 questions · 100 minutes · 50% of composite
Four free-response questions, one of each named task type, handwritten in a paper booklet. Trained readers score against published rubrics with partial credit available throughout.
- FRQ 1: Mathematical Routines (10 points, ~25 min). Symbolic derivation plus numeric answer.
- FRQ 2: Translation Between Representations (12 points, ~25 min). Convert between graphs, diagrams, equations.
- FRQ 3: Experimental Design and Analysis (10 points, ~30 min). Design a procedure and analyze data.
- FRQ 4: Qualitative Quantitative Translation (8 points, ~20 min). Paragraph response backed by math.
See the full FRQ guide for what each task type wants and the scoring patterns that show up every year.
Course and Exam Description
The CED is the authoritative document for what's on the exam: units, topics, essential knowledge, science practices.
Download from AP Central ›
Released FRQs and scoring guides
Every past administration's free response questions with scoring guidelines and sample student responses.
AP Physics 1 exam page ›
Bluebook testing app
The digital testing app used for the MCQ section. Practice with the app before exam day so the interface isn't a surprise.
College Board Bluebook ›
When is the 2026 AP Physics 1 exam?
The 2026 AP Physics 1 exam was administered on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM local time. Official scores release in July 2026 through your College Board account.
How long is the AP Physics 1 exam?
Three hours total, plus a short break between sections. Section I (multiple choice) is 80 minutes. Section II (free response) is 100 minutes.
How is AP Physics 1 scored?
Section I and Section II are each weighted at 50 percent of the composite. The composite is mapped to a final score from 1 to 5. College Board sets the cut scores after each administration based on overall performance.
Can I use a calculator on AP Physics 1?
Yes. A scientific or graphing calculator is permitted on both sections of AP Physics 1. The official equation and constants sheet is also provided on both sections.
What units are on the AP Physics 1 exam?
Eight units: Kinematics, Force and Translational Dynamics, Work Energy and Power, Linear Momentum, Torque and Rotational Dynamics, Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems, Oscillations, and Fluids. Fluids was added to AP Physics 1 in the 2024 to 2025 redesign.
Is AP Physics 1 harder than AP Physics C?
AP Physics 1 and AP Physics C test different things. AP Physics 1 is algebra-based and covers a broader range of mechanics topics, including fluids, with heavier emphasis on conceptual reasoning and lab skills. AP Physics C: Mechanics is calculus-based and covers fewer topics in more mathematical depth. Difficulty depends on whether you find algebra-based conceptual reasoning or calculus-based problem solving more natural.
What's the typical pass rate for AP Physics 1?
Historically, the percentage of students earning a 3 or higher on AP Physics 1 has been one of the lower pass rates among AP exams, in the 40 to 50 percent range. The 2025 administration showed improved scores under the redesigned format. Exact passing percentages release each year with the score distribution.
